Hating Doctrine vs Hating People

[rockytopva]

Hating Doctrine vs Hating People...

1. God hates liberal doctrine - ...The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. - Revelation 2:15
2. God loves people - We love him, because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

There have been many put to death over what was believed false doctrine, as we had this past week. Hopefully I have posted enough scripture in that we are to hate the sin yet love the sinner. I myself have had to learn good character in the midst of what I would call weak foundations. I have left some churches after the feeling I was in more of a rock concert setting than a Christian one. And having the prophecy of Isaiah come to mind as I was sitting through all of that...

Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: - Isaiah 29:13

 

[PloverWing]

1. God hates liberal doctrine - ...The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. - Revelation 2:15

Are you claiming that the Nicolaitans believed things that we would call "liberal doctrine", like the use of higher criticism in studying the Bible, or viewing early Genesis as mythological? Or are you just citing this verse to say that sometimes God hates doctrines?

While I have my doubts about the relevance of Revelation 2:15 here, I do agree with the larger point that we should genuinely care for the well-being of people who make theological mistakes. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy, after all. I hope my own theological mistakes are forgiven at the Last Day.

 

[rockytopva]

Notes on the seriousness of persecuting people on the grounds of doctrine.... And... I believe one ought to think real hard about any kind of offense towards other believers on doctrinal grounds...

"Neither God nor his Spirit have counseled such an action. Christ did not treat those who negated him that way." - Italian poet Camillo Renato on the Servetus execution
"To kill a man is not to protect a doctrine, but it is to kill a man." - French humanist Sébastien Chateillon on the Servetus execution
"I consider it a serious matter to kill men because they are in error on some question of scriptural interpretation, when we know that even the elect ones may be led astray into error." - Michael Servetus

 

[rockytopva]

Not only that.... Just looking at people wrong is enough to drive folks away these days. Whereas in times past they would have given a firm warning. Especially as they were so greatly established in their faith