How can so many studious people end up teaching different doctrines?
Question:
If you have the time and the resources, I think it would be profitable to your visitors if you'll add a workbook on the Christian doctrine. I surely need one. One that discusses the Christian system. A bit of indoctrination as to what you believe to be the truth of God's word starting from His existence through Christian living. That, I'm sure, would be very profitable and if God would allow it to happen, I surely would benefit from it.
If you remember our last conversation, I mentioned to you about Eli Soriano. I am still unsettled until this very day whether he is a preacher of God or not. I am convinced that he has really studied the Bible for no one could answer extemporaneously all the questions thrown at him concerning the Bible if he had not studied it in-depth. I have watched many of his debates and I pity his opponents for they are exposed immediately. But I have not seen him debate anyone from the churches of Christ yet. But if ever he can meet anyone among you, in my estimation, he's not an easy opponent. I think he has the same level of scholarship as the late Guy N Woods. I am truly bothered and confused about which church I should join for I find it hard to distinguished which one is telling the whole truth between Soriano's group and the churches of Christ.
Another group that also helped in making me more confused is the Reformed churches. They seem to be biblical people to. Well, John Piper and John MacArthur seem to be preachers of the word.
Why is it that many sincere and studious people end up with different conclusions regarding the Bible's teachings? Is there still an absolute truth in Bible doctrines? Why is it that even among the churches of Christ there are variations of doctrines?
These questions really are bothering me and I do hope that God would use you still to answer these questions. I'll be waiting for your answer. God bless you.
Answer:
While I enjoy writing and have written several workbooks, the topic you request is too broad. I did write a workbook on the nature of God: The Lord Your God is an Awesome God and I have written books on different aspects of Christian living, such as making moral choices: Moral Principles: A Study for Young People. It appears you are looking for something else, and I'm not quite certain what it is.
What you admire about Eli Soriano is the fact that he has what we call in the United States a photographic memory. He is able to commit large portions of text to memory. But raw knowledge doesn't imply that a person accurately uses the knowledge he has. I've shown you several points where he misused Scriptures. For me, that alone is sufficient to say that he isn't a true follower of Christ. You must also realize that the source of all your material for Eli Soriano comes from his organization. You aren't going to find videos of when he was lost for words. He's careful to maintain his appearance.
Personally, I'm not interested in debating such a man. Not because I am unsure of what the Bible teaches. I just know I'm not that quick on my feet. I rather sit back and think awhile and figure out how best to answer. I wonder how impressed you would have been of the Apostle Paul. "And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God" (I Corinthians 2:1-5). Like Paul, I'm not interested in impressing anyone with myself. I want people to learn to love God and I know I'm merely the messenger.
The Reformed Church, in its past, was much closer to the teachings of the Bible. Unfortunately, it doesn't remain that way today.
But what I notice is that you are trying to find a teacher you can follow who will lead you to the truth. Teachers and preachers are essential for understanding the truth: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14). But they do not originate the truth, nor are they the arbiters of truth. "For when one says, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (I Corinthians 3:4-6).
You asked if there is truth. The answer is plainly "Yes." But it does not reside in men. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth" (John 17:17). The only man to present truth accurately was our Lord Jesus. "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6). Notice Jesus' use of "the." There is only one way, only one truth, and only one life that leads to the heavenly Father, and that way, that truth, and that life are only found in Jesus. That is why the name we wear is "Christian," which means a follower of Christ. We follow no other because there is no other who can lead us to heaven. "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Why are there so many conflicting doctrines? It isn't because of God; He is one and He doesn't change. The problem is with men. They are many and they constantly change. "Truly, this only I have found: That God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes" (Ecclesiastes 7:29). The motivations behind the changes are as varied as the people making the changes.
The solution has always been simple, but few people are willing to apply it. "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (I John 4:1). The test is God's Word. It doesn't change. "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (I John 5:2-3).
