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Historical Theology I : MMT201  /  The Apostolic Quadrilateral (Intensive Week – Day 1b)  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 5
Using Marcion and Montanism, Clifton frames two opposite threats: rejecting the Old Testament versus elevating “new revelation” to a coercive level (“the Holy Spirit gave us this standard, and you’re going to do it”); where do you see modern Christianity drifting toward Marcion-like instincts or Montanist-like instincts, and how would a “tethered” Spirit-led reading of Scripture actually function in real decisions?
Another way to ask: Where do you see Christians today acting more like Marcion (pushing aside the Old Testament) or like Montanists (treating “new revelations” as something everyone must follow)? What would a Spirit-led but Scripture-tethered approach look like when making real decisions?

Direct Answer Clifton’s categories suggest modern churches can drift Marcion-like when they treat the Old Testament as embarrassing or irrelevant, and Montanist-like when they attach divine authority to fresh impressions or standards in a way that pressures consciences. A “tethered” Spirit-led approach would welcome the Spirit’s guidance, but keep it “anchored” in Scripture so it can’t be used as a coercive trump card.

Support from Transcript:

  • Marcion’s threat: “ain’t no way the God of that Old Testament is the same God as this New Testament… get rid of the Old Testament.”
  • He says the church had to insist: “no, the Old Testament is part of this canon. That is true.”
  • Montanism’s threat: ongoing revelation with weight: “we’re continually… receiving revelation,” and the vibe: “the Holy Spirit gave us this church standard and you’re going to do it or you’re against the Holy Spirit.”
  • He clarifies: “To be fair… they never changed doctrine,” but their revelations carried coercive force.
  • He summarizes the needed balance: “Yes, the Holy Spirit… give us guidance… We’re not going to put that on the level of scripture… it has to be tethered… anchored in the sure word of prophecy.”
Discussion Follow-ups Where do you see churches functionally downplaying the Old Testament? Where do you see ‘God told me’ becoming unchallengeable? What would it look like to test guidance by Scripture without quenching real spiritual life?

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