Maintaining BALANCE In Times of Controversy

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MaintainingBALANCEIn Times of Controversy

• Phil. 45
• Let your moderation be known unto all men. The
  Lord is at hand.

By Ron Halbrook
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Maintaining BALANCE

• Introduction
• 1. Phil. 45 Mature, Well-balanced Attitude
• Moderation Noble Generosity Gentleness,
  Forbearance Fairness, Reasonable Patient
• Graciousness with Strength Poise of Character
  .Opposite of Obstinacy (A.T. Robertson,
  Pauls Joy in Christ, p. 129)
• Not Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance
• Unto All Men Poise, Patience in All Cases
• Secured by Focus on Christs Presence
  Promise, Not on Earthly Conditions!

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Maintaining BALANCE

• Introduction
• 2. Phil. 19-11 Pray for Maturity, Balance
• Grow in Love
• Grow in Knowledge
• Grow in Judgment, Discernment
• Selects, classifies, applies
  (Vincent, Word Studies in N.T., 871)
• Proper sense of the relative value of things
  (Weaver, Philippians, 24)
• Approve Things Excellent, Distinguish Things that
  Differ, Have a Sense of What Is Vital
• See what things are relativelymost important
  put the emphasis in the right place (Robertson,
  Pauls Joy in Christ, 38)
• Act in View of the Day of Christ

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Maintaining BALANCE

• I. Eccl. 715-18 Balance Avoid Extreme
  Attitudes
• A. Vs. 15 Cant Solve Every Question, Enigma,
  Difficulty
• B. Vs. 16 Arbiter of All Such Matters
  Exaggerated Righteousness
• C. Vs. 17 Opposite Extreme Use Enigmas as
  Excuse for Willful Sin
• D. Vs. 18 True Faith Focus on Revealed Truth
  Duty, Avoid Extremes

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Maintaining BALANCE

• II. Matt. 71-5, 13-15 Balance in Recognizing
  Sin in Peoples Lives
• A. Vv. 1-5 Hypocritical Judging
• Overly Scrupulous in Charging Others with Sin
• Excuse Ones Own Sins
• B. Vv. 13-15 Proper, Essential Judging
• Broad Way of Sin, Narrow Way of Truth
• Repent of Sin
• Distinguish Truth from Error
• C. Maintain Balance Proper Judging Without
  Hypocritical Judging

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Maintaining BALANCE

• III. Matt. 1016, 27 Balance in Facing Bitter
  Enemies of Gospel
• A. Wolves Pervert Truth, Attack Messenger
• B. Vs. 16, 27 Bold, Careful in Proclaiming
  Truth
• Wise Careful, Cautious, Measured
• Harmless Open, Sincere, No Guile or Deceit
• C. Under Bitter Attack Danger of Reckless
  Overreaction

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Maintaining BALANCE

• IV. Rom. 141-3 1617-18 Balance Distinguish
  Personal Scruples Doctrinal Apostasy
• A. 141-3 Accept Each Other with Personal
  Scruples
• Grow Distinguish Revealed Doctrine from
  Personal Conclusions Judgments
• B. 1617-18 Reject Men Who Promote Apostasy
• Press False Doctrine Cause Division
• Outward Piety, Smooth Speeches Cloak Error
• C. Balance Distinguish Scruples Apostasy
• Danger Press ScrupleFriction, Bitterness,
  Faction
• Danger Compromise with ErrorApostasy
• Avoid Dangers Saints Grow, Gospel Spreads

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Maintaining BALANCE

• V. Gal. 18-9 211 515 Balance Defend Truth
  Without Stooping to Errors Tactics
• A. 18-9 Reject Those Who Pervert Gospel
• B. 211 Peters Compromise Openly Rebuked
• C. 515 Defend Truth, Fight Error,
  Not Stoop to Errors Tactics
• Paul Direct, Forceful (17-8 211, 13 31
  430 51, 7, 9, 12)
• False Teacher Bitter, Personal Attack
• Uphold Truth Courtesy, Dignity, Focus on Bible,
  Refute False Doctrine
• Temptation Retaliate in Like Kind

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Maintaining BALANCE

• VI. Eph. 41-6, 14-15, 31-32 Balance Teach the
  Truth in Love
• A. Vv. 1-6 Proper Attitude With Sound Doctrine
• Lowly, Meek, Patient, Love, Unity, Peace
• Solid Foundation of Sound Doctrine
• B. Vv. 14-15 Reject False Doctrine Tactics,
  Speak Truth in Love, Grow in Christ
• C. Vv. 31-32 Seek to Save Not Destroy Those
  Who Wrong Us
• D. Controversy Test Commitment to Truth,
  Sincerity of Love

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Maintaining BALANCE

• VII. Phil. 115-18 Balance in Putting the Cause
  of Christ Above Self
• A. Some Preachers Selfish Spirit of
  Competition, Seek Personal Advantage, Promote
  Self
• Preach Christ, Compete with Paul
• B. Other Preachers Unselfish Spirit of
  Goodwill, Love, Promote Only the Gospel
• Set to Defend Gospel at All Costs
• No Bitterness toward Critics
• C. Balance Always Put Cause of Christ Above
  Self
• Defend Truth, Not Promote Self, in Time of
  Controversy
• Some Preachers Teach Truth, Unfairly Criticize
  Us
• Not RetaliatePut Cause of Christ Above Self

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Maintaining BALANCE

• VIII. Col. 42-6 Balance in Content Tone of
  Teaching
• A. Vv. 2-4 Seeks Open Doors to Preach Plainly,
  Fully
• B. Vv. 5-6 Show Wisdom in Life Teaching
• Godly Life Opens Doors to Teach
• Wise in Tone Tenor
• With Grace Kind, Courteous, Dignified
• Wisdom to Answer Every Man
• C. Test in Controversy Balance Content Tone
• Content Pervert Truth, Modify Truth, Misuse
  Truth
• Tone Explosive Anger, Arrogance, Bitterness
• Proper Balance Advance Cause of Christ

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Maintaining BALANCE

• IX. 2 Pet. 112, 5 21 Balance in Grasp of
  Truth Room to Grow in the Truth
• A. 112 Truth Firmly Established in Heart
  Life
• B. 15 Grow in Knowledge Lifelong Process
• Practical Knowledge, Discretion in Applying Truth
  
• A practical knowledge that admits of expansion
  (Hiebert, Second Peter Jude, 53)
• C. 21 False Teachers Replace Truth with
  Heresies
• Cannot Promote Growth in Applying Truth
• Heresies Lead to Apostasy, Corrupt More More as
  Outlined in 2 Pet. 2-3
• D. Grasp Truth, Grow NOT Same As Deny,
  Apostasy
• E. Challenge Discern Heresy, Corrupting
  Process VS. Established in Truth, Normal Growth
  Process

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• A. Many Examples of Apostate Movements
• Patterns in Cycles of Apostasy
• Unchanging Principles of Truth
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resists Apostasy
• Growing in Knowledge
• Make Judgments in Applying Truth
• Areas of Personal Conscience, Scruples
• Apostasy Subtle Steps, Corrupt More More
• Compromise Not Embrace, Not Openly Fight
• Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth, ScruplePress
  to Point of Division
• Latter Factions Later Embrace Ultra-liberalism

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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• B. Many Examples of Scruples Differences
  Among Brethren Grasping Growing in Truth
• C. Man to Lead in Work of Church
• Several Views of Veil in 1 Cor. 11
• Several Views of Silence in 1 Cor. 1434-35 As
  Relates to Bible Classes
• All Affirm Principle of Male Leadership,
  Differ in Some Details of Application
• Discussed Many YearsNo Apostate Movement
  Corrupting More More
• Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• D. Controversies Divisions 1850-1930
• Missionary Society (1849),
  Instrumental Music (1851)Cycle of
  ApostasyCorrupted More More (1875-1900)
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resisted Apostasy
• Compromise Accept Society, Reject Instrument,
  Fellowship Error
• Overreaction (1900-30)

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• D. Controversies Divisions 1850-1930
• Overreaction (1900-30)
• One Cup
• No Divided Bible Classes
• No Located Preacher
• No Bible Study Literature in Work of Church
• No Bible College
• Specific Order of Worship

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• D. Controversies Divisions 1850-1930
• Overreaction (1900-30)
• Daniel Sommer (1850-1940) Factional on No Located
  Preacher, No Bible College
• Sommer Strong Influence on Carl Ketcherside
  (1908-89)
• Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth,
  Judgment, Personal Scruple
• Sommers Later Years Reflect Phil. 19-11 45

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Maintaining BALANCE

• Overreaction (1900-30)
• Sommers Later Years Reflect Phil. 19-11 45
• His Family Published American Christian ReviewHe
  Endorsed Cant We Agree on Something?
• Ketcherside Pressed to Point of Division
• Many in Factions Formed 1900-30 Went into
  Ultra-liberalism From 1960s to Present

Brethren united on THE NEW TESTAMENT PLAN must
leave room for individual judgments on such
issues. Thisis written in behalf of the
thousands who desire to reach that Better Land,
and who never will know, and never can
understand, the finer points in our arguments
for and against some things that have disrupted
us (6-21-32).
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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• E. Controversies Divisions Over
  Institutionalism Liberalism (1945-2000)
• Another Cycle of Apostasy
• Church Donations to Human Institutions
• Centralize Church Work thru Sponsoring Church
• Church Give Benevolence to Alien Sinners
• Church Provide Social Recreational Activities
• Corrupted More More (1970-2000)
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resisted Apostasy
• Compromise Church Donation to Orphanage Not
  College, to Certain Kinds of Orphanages,
  Fellowship Error
• Danger of Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division

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Maintaining BALANCE

• Danger of Overreaction Some Bind Press, But
  Generally Not to Point of Division
• No Bible College
• No Akin Fund
• No Foundation to Publish Bible Study Materials
• Several Views Contra Typical P.M. Lords Supper
• No Funerals in Church Building
• No Weddings in Church Building
• No Church Songbooks for Home Singing
• Long-term Issues Oaths, War, Vote, Veil, Etc.
• Such Issues Not Divide As Matters of Growth,
  Judgment, Personal Scruple
• Discuss Many YearsNo Apostate Movement
  Corrupting More More
• Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions

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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Another Cycle of Apostasy
• H. Hailey Deny Christs Marriage Law Applies to
  All
• J. Freeman Divorced Fornicator Marry New Mate
• J. Puterbaugh All Divorced People Marry New
  Mate
• Deny Creation in Six Literal Days
• Doubt Literal Serpent in Gen. 3
• Doubt Universal Flood in Gen. 6-9
• Deny Eternal Torment in Hell

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Another Cycle of Apostasy
• Remnant Established in Truth, Resisting Apostasy
• Compromise Unity-in-diversity tolerates
  contradictory teachings practices on important
  moral doctrinal questions (E. Harrell,
  Christianity Magazine, May 1990)
• Danger of Overreaction Bind, Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Danger of Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division
• No Divorce for Any Cause
• No Divorce Unless Witnesses to Fornication
• Innocent Mate Must Initiate Civil Divorce
• Innocent Mate Must Counter-sue if Guilty Sues
• Cannot Reconcile After Divorce for Fornication
• Divorced Fornicator Not Remarry After 1st Mate
  Dies
• If Prospective Fornicator Gets Divorce Paper
  Then Commits Adultery, Faithful Mate Not
  Remarry (Mostly Theoretical!)

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Maintaining BALANCE

• X. Balance or Lack of It in Modern Controversies
• F. Controversy Over Marriage, Fellowship,
  Other Issues 1988-Present
• Danger of Overreaction Bind Areas of Growth,
  ScruplePress to Point of Division
• No Division If Study Such Issues As Matters of
  Growth, Judgment, Personal Scruple
• Discuss Many YearsNo Apostate Movement
  Corrupting More More
• Study Helpful, NOT Charges, Fighting, Factions
• W. Warnock-J. Deason, Searching the Scriptures,
  Nov. 1985 Mar. 1986, Not Press View to Division
• Some Friction, Declare War, Obsessed, Debate,
  Cancel Meetings, Press to Divide (1,000
  Splinters!?)

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2. APOSTASY
3. COMPROMISE

• PRINCIPLES
• OF TRUTH

Grow in Knowledge Judgments Personal Scruples
4. DANGER OF OVERREACTION Bind, Press
Differences in Growth, Judgments, Scruples To
Point of Division
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Maintaining BALANCE

• Conclusion
• 1. Phil. 19-11 45 Pray as Paul Spiritual
  Growth, Maturity, Well-balanced Attitude
• Grow in Love, Knowledge, Discernment
• See what things are relativelymost important
  put the emphasis in the right place (Robertson,
  Pauls Joy in Christ, 38)
• Moderation Noble Generosity Gentleness,
  Forbearance Fairness, Reasonable Patient
• Not Overreact, Not Thrown Off Balance
• Unto All Men Poise, Patience in All Cases
• Act in View of Christs Presence Promise
  Avoid Stumblingblocks, Abound in Righteousness
• 2. Matt. 1127-30 Mk. 1616 Christ Calls All
  Lost