Bacon, Eggs and God

Bark

Jesus answered them, and said, My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.

Practically speaking, there is a difference between dogma and being dogmatic. Dogma is a doctrine or group of doctrines proclaimed by the Word of God as authoritatively true. The word dogma is appropriate, if it remains within the confines of its own backyard (context). However, when it jumps the fence and runs unrestrained by asserting its own individual and unproven doctrines as truth, the dogma becomes dogmatic. Dogmatists display their pedigree by their arrogant, egotistical and overbearing spirit. Simply stated, they run wild without restraint.

A dogmatist pushes the confines of sound dogma too far. They take sound doctrine to such an extreme that it becomes distorted and unrecognizable. Examples where we often find the dogmatists straining at the leash of sound dogma are: the sovereignty of God and the free will of man; faith and works; God’s love and his wrath; doctrine and devotion; the local church and the true church; just to name a few. There are always two extremes, two dog houses, each at opposite ends of a truth and far apart. Dogmatists run to one end or the other, latch on to an extreme position and then run off to their doghouse to feed innocent pups. There is no middle ground with a dogmatist; it is either their way or the highway!

The good news is that as despicable, detestable and dreadful as these dogmatists are, we owe them a debt of gratitude.  Many of us can attest to the fact that we searched out the truth of the Scriptures, because we observed where the teaching of these dogmatists was leading people. Studying the Word of God shed light on the false teaching of these dogmatists and led us back to our spiritual sanity.

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 

As believers, walking on the path that Jesus walked, we will always hear dogmatists barking at us from either side of the road for they remain stuck in their doghouses.

And yes, we as true believers have a responsibility to recognize and reject errant teaching.

Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.