Agnosticism In The Church
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesThe philosophy of agnosticism is the primary cause of many of the problems we face in the Lord’s church today. Some members contend that “any” position one takes relative to what any passage of Scripture teaches is “tentative” at best. Every position one holds must be viewed from the standpoint that it has application only to the person who holds that position.
Following this doctrine to its logical conclusion, means that every position we have held relative to anything the Bible teaches, must be considered as questionable. Thus, what we as God’s people have taught concerning the Lord’s Supper, mechanical instruments of music, the organization of the New Testament church, the process of how one becomes a New Testament Christian, how to obtain and maintain unity, the question of marriage, divorce, and remarriage, the purpose of baptism, grace and law, faith and works, the eldership, morality, premillennialism, following the New Testament “pattern,” the God-given place of women in the church, and many other things are to be considered with suspicion.
Never Say “I Know”?
We are told we should never say, “I know,” or affirm Bible truth is objective and absolute. We must never be guilty of saying, “The Bible teaches thus and so, and every person who disagrees with this is in error.” We must only do that which we, as individuals, understand the Bible to teach. Furthermore, these conclusions must never be foisted upon any other individual, because each person has the right to interpret the Bible as he sees fit.
It is this basic attitude of agnosticism that has brought the New Testament church to the place it is today. This is why the “entertainment and recreation” craze has had such a negative impact on the Lord’s church in the past thirty years. We can see why so many “big name” preachers are refusing to recognize the God-given parameters of fellowship. This is exactly why the “change-agents” can promote a Billy Graham crusade in Nashville. This is why various men “among us” take upon themselves the authority to “represent” churches of Christ in various “Unity Forums.” Because of the acceptance of this heresy, we know why so many local congregations are running pell-mell into the denominational quagmire.
We Can Know Some Things
Regardless of the devilish efforts of those who constantly walk a road of uncertainty, doubt, and skepticism, we know the apostle John used the phrase “we know” twelve times, “we do know” one time and “that we may know” one time in the book of First John. We therefore “know” we can “know” some things. The Lord Himself said we can be free by “knowing” the truth, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). We “know” that God exists; we “know” that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, and we “know” the Bible is the divinely inspired Word of God.
Conclusion:
Saying we can “know” some things does not suggest we can “know” all things. We can “know” what it takes to become a New Testament Christian (Romans 10:10,14; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 17:30). We can “know” what comprises walking the Christian life (2 Timothy 3:16-17). We can “know” that which God views as “good” and that which He considers “evil”. In fact, relative to all the things mentioned above, we can “know” what God would have us to do, and “know” that we “know” it. We can “know” God’s will and “know” that all who do not comply with His will are in error. Yes, we can “know” when we are “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7) and we can “know” when we are “walking in darkness” (1 John 1:6). If not, “we are of all men most miserable” (1 Corinthians 15:19).