While attempting “to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery” (Eph 3:9), people commonly ask the same questions in response. These responses can be grouped into the “5 Most Common Response to Right Division”. They are:
1. The Heresy Response
Also called the ‘argument of extremism’, this response asks “Do you teach heresy?” or “Are you a cult?” This response tries to place a pejorative label upon you because you are not in the status quo.
Read more about the Heresy Response.
2. The Credibility Response
Who else teaches this? This appeal to the authority of church tradition attempts to give more credibility to history books than God’s Word.
Read more about the Credibility Response.
3. The Arrogant Response
This response asks “Why have I never heard of this before?” or “Where did you go to school?” This is the common response of the ‘trained professional’. It also reflects that a person is trusting in their own scholarship, or the scholarship of others to determine truth.
Read more about the Arrogant response.
4. The Popularity Response
How can so many people be wrong? This response shows a greater reliance upon what is popular than what is right. “Let God be true, but every man a liar” Romans 3:4.
Read more about the Popularity response.
5. The Peace Response
This ecumenical appeal to compromise in the name of peace is all too common. Does sticking to sound doctrine cause more division? Can we all just get along?
Read more about the Peace response.
In every response a common issue is reflected – our final authority. Many people, sometimes unknowingly, find their truth in the authority of the status quo, scholarship, tradition, church structure, or even within themselves. If we believe the Bible to be God’s Word then we must make it the sole authority of truth above all else.
Formally replying to these responses may help others understand that Mid-Acts Pauline Dispensational Right Division is simply another way of saying, “The Bible is our final authority.”
We must “let God be true, but every man a liar” in order to better understand God’s Word.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” – 2 Timothy 2:15
Topical Index Page Published: Saturday, June 4th, 2005
Last Modified: March 10, 2011