Doubtful Disputations

**king'sbloomingrose** · February-2nd-2011, 09:22 AM

Introduction:

1. Those who specialize in conflict resolution observe that most disputes among
Christians do no arise form so called doctrinal issues.

2. When brethren do not get along it is most generally because they have
different convictions in what we would style a matter of opinion or
judgment.

3. Romans 14 is the one chapter in the Bible that deals most directly with those
types of problems.

4. The problem isn’t that we can’t understand this chapter’s instructions; the
problem is that we are reluctant to practice its teachings.

I. A Few Technical Points.

A. The most significant phrase of the chapter is found in the first verse and is
translated a number of different ways.
1. “Doubtful disputations” KJV.
2. “Decision of scruples” ASV.
3. “Passing judgments on his opinions” NASB.
4. “Disputes over opinions” RSV.
5. “Criticize his views” Berkeley.
6. “Judgment on disputable matters” NIV.
B. The Greek of the verse helps clarify its meaning.
1. Diakriseis: “judgment, argument.”
2. Dialogismon: “thoughts, reasoning.”
3. Paul is telling brethren not to get into arguments or disputes about a
particular kind of thinking certain brethren may hold.
4. Since the thinking does not deal with matters of faith, or Paul would not
accept it in any form, the thinking must have to do with mere opinions.

II. Apparent Contradictions That Help Us To See Exactly What Paul Has In
Mind (Gal. 4:8-11; Col. 2:16-23).
A. In Galatians and Colossians, Paul takes a very hostile view of observing
days.
1. In Galatia the problem was legalism—imposing human rules as though
they were necessary for salvation.
2. In Colossae the problem was a pregnostic asceticism—forbidding the
exercise of full Christian freedom.
3. The errors in both Galatia and in Colossae involved using human
commands to insist that the observation of certain days was essential for
salvation.
4. Because Paul’s remarks in Romans have to do with matters not imposed
on brethren, there is no conflict between Paul’s comments in Romans 14
and those in Galatians 5 and Colossians 2.
5. Romans deals with the keeping of days in terms of what people elect to
do as personal judgments; the other two Epistles concern themselves
with the enforcement of an uncommanded keeping of days.
B. When Apparent Contradictions Are Resolved We Need To Be Sure We
Profit From The Resolution.
1. We are to honor the insights gained from both teachings since they each
have a separate, important lesson to teach.
2. Religious history and our contemporary times well demonstrate how
easily one truth can be used to overrule another rather than to allow for
full Bible harmony.

III. Some Things We Need To Understand About Opinions (Rom. 14:1-12).
A. In matters concerning things that are not wrong in themselves and not in
violation of a command addressing private concerns, private judgments and
opinions are not to become occasions for divisions and disputes.
1. As long as a decision is not inherently wrong or in violation of a
commandment relating to private expressions, we may choose to refrain
from any food or to esteem any day in our personal expressions to the
Lord.
2. Such things are, however, in no way to be forced on another.
3. If you want to refrain from work on Saturday as a matter of private
devotion, that is your business.
4. If you want to refrain from eating meat as a personal matter of devotion,
that is your business.
5. These things being so, we can see how more commonplace opinions
should never be allowed to disrupt fellowship.
B. If a brother or sister in Christ feels the need to privately do anything that is
not wrong in itself, even though such is in no way required, we are not to get
into arguments about it.
1. Usually teaching about Christian liberty will bring a change with time.
2. However, God sets no requirements on such a change.
3. Some things we must acquire with time as we mature in Christ (Heb. 5:11-
14).
4. Other things might never be understood in a mature way and yet one
could still face Christ in Judgment without fear (Rom. 14:10-12).
C. Additional understandings:
1. The church as a body is not governed by the rules of private judgment;
corporate worship and service have a God-given direction that is more
specific than that for private expressions (I Cor. 11:17-34; I Cor. 15:3;
Gal. 1:11-12).
2. Within the context of authorized, corporate worship we may elect to have
a variety of different expressions: when on the Lord’s Day we assemble,
how long services last, how many songs will be sung, how many prayers
will be led, what the sermon, songs and readings will emphasize, etc.; but
we cannot go outside the boundaries God has given to the church as a
body (note that I Cor. 11:17, 18, 20 show a distinct “come together”
aspect of church life that is governed by what the Lord has revealed, v.
23).
3. Even though the private expressions of individual Christians have more
latitude than the corporate expressions of the body, individuals are
cautioned about doing things that might be misunderstood as being
immoral (I Cor. 11:5), or lead weak brethren into sin (I Cor. 8:4-7).
4. Balance must be maintained—being hyper-cautious can easily lead to
legalism, being unconcerned can easily lead to liberalism.
Conclusions:
1. No opinion is worth division among brethren.
2. Liberty is the word when opinions are under consideration.
3. While there are opinions that can cause problems, a problematic opinion is not
the same as a sin.
4. As the old adage says: In matters of faith—unity. In matters of opinion—
liberty. In all things—love.
ESJ - I didn't write this just found it online. :)

**mattfivefour** · February-2nd-2011, 10:23 AM

13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. 18 And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. —James 3:13-18 NASB

And for those who prefer the KJV:

13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace. —James 3:13-18 KJV

**Meg** · February-2nd-2011, 10:40 AM

Matthew 7:3-4

3 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?

John 7:24

24 Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.”

**LivnForChrist** · February-2nd-2011, 02:50 PM

Let everyone examine their own heart. Whenever I find myself getting into too many
disputes with others, then I know the problem is me. If you have the holy ghost and
your neck is not as stiff as a continental ice shelf, then you know.