Generational, Doctrinal Accountability

The thoughts expressed in this post were not the result of deep research per say (although no thoughts are truly "original" and devoid of the influence of prior study). Rather, they flow from a topic that has been swarming in my mind for about a year and a half. Take them for what they are worth....

In Titus 1:6-8 we read this, "Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us."

There is much that could be said regarding these verses. Perhaps one of the things we overlook in this list of things required for young men is that they have "purity in doctrine". Most books written for men today focus on character qualities. Character qualities are important. Indeed, the Gospel will change the whole man. His character will be imbued with the very character of Christ because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit if he has truly been given new life in Christ. In other words, the Gospel does affect character. However, the importance of young men possessing purity of doctrine should never be ignored. In fact, one could quite easily make the argument that doctrine is the most important quality mentioned in these verses because it is right doctrine that serves as the impetus for right character. We must first know what is true about God, and ourselves (doctrine) before we can (by the power of the Spirit) know how to demonstrate appropriate character. To put it simply, we must understand Scripture rightly before we can rightly demonstrate Biblical, Christ-like character. To put it yet another way, we must have the larger picture of who Christ is before we can understand the smaller ways that we manifest Christ in any given situation or circumstance.

Without giving a mini-sermon, allow me to offer some practical ways that a young man can ensure that his doctrine is pure:

1) Have the liberty to think freely, but always consider what orthodox Christian men in the history of the church have traditionally believed concerning any one particular doctrine before you come to a conclusion. This means that you are sensitive to any teaching that is so novel that it departs from what great Christians have generally believed down through the ages. On the other hand, this does not mean that you be bound to history. We must be bound to one thing- the authority of Scripture. In the final analysis, Scripture always holds final sway. In the same vein, we should never be quick to discount the general orthodox teaching of the church for over 2,ooo years.

2)Have the liberty to think freely, but always take seriously one of the slogans of the Protestant Reformation- semper reformanda. The notion behind this Latin phrase is that the church must "always be reforming" in order for its doctrine to remain pure. This might seem to contradict point one, but on second observation it does not! Rather, it complements and balances point one. It says that we are never ultimately called to be expert historians when we do theology. Rather, we are to be expert Biblicists! That is, we are ready, willing, and prepared to depart from historical teaching when it conflicts with Scripture. For example, I am personally indebted to John Calvin for his strong theological influence upon me. Calvin, more than any other theologian, has helped me understand Scripture better. Nevertheless, I would disagree with Calvin on the issue of baptism. I think he was dead wrong to allow babies to be sprinkled. I will gladly disagree with him and many of the other Reformers because I am convinced Scripture teaches the baptism of believers only!

3) Have liberty to think freely, but always seek counsel and advise from older Christian men in the church, particularly the local church that God has sovereingly placed you in. I am convinced that my generation (for the most part) despises authority. In fact, I would argue that my generation despises authority more than my parents generation. Unfortunately, this has affected the church, though I wish it weren't the case. This despising of authority tends toward a dismissal of the opinions and worldviews of the older generation. Young Christian men must understand the importance of having accountability with older Christian men in the church, if they truly desire purity of doctrine.

Throughout my life, and for whatever reason, God has sovereingly sent older men into my life with whom I have enjoyed great friendships. Most of these men are old enough to be my father (in fact one of them is my own father!). In a very real sense, many of them have taught me more than my seminary training could even do regarding what pure doctrine is. I have found it to be the case on more than one occasion that I will be "read up" on a certain doctrine- assuming I have all the answers- and a wise, older man will say something from his own life experiences that makes me go back and question my conclusions. This man may, or may not have known what he did. He may have studied the particular doctrine; he may only have vague ideas that the doctrine even exists. Nevertheless, God uses older men to instruct and encourage younger men on doctrine. As I see it, this boils down to the wisdom they possess. Older men "think through" issues much differently than younger men. They are more experienced, have seen more, and often have heard all of the "arguments". In other words, they possess veteran discernment. Older Christian men who sincerely love and follow Christ as their Lord are worth their weight in gold for younger Christian men. As I stated, they serve to aid younger men to remain pure in their doctrine through their wisdom, discernment, and life experiences. In fact, one sign of a healthy church (in this pastor's humble opinion) is younger men looking to the older men for accountability in the area of doctrine.

All three of these points shout forth one word- accountability. Young men must be pure in doctrine. This means that young men take seriously the opinions, beliefs, and advise of older Christian men (in history and in their own lives) regarding doctrine so long as these older men are Christ lovers indwelt by the Holy Spirit who are saturated with Scripture. The attitude of younger men deferring to older men for accountability, and older men gently admonishing younger men for the sake of pure doctrine will lead to a healthy, doctrinally pure, and Christ centered congregation. Of course, only God Himself preserves purity of doctrine in a church. I am simply arguing that God uses the older men in congregations as one of many instruments to retain this purity.