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Intimacy with God  /  Chapter 13: What about divisions in the body of Christ  /  Discussion Questions
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Question 10
The chapter says the “most accurate knowledge” is found “in the truth and in the testimony of the ancient church,” and it accuses deceivers of preferring to be “head of some heretical school” rather than “serve in the church”; what would it look like, concretely, to submit your theology and ambitions to the witness of the ancient church, and what would you have to give up to do it?
Another way to ask: The chapter says the best knowledge comes from the truth and the testimony of the ancient church, and that deceivers want to lead their own group. What would it look like in real life to let the ancient church shape your beliefs and goals, and what would you have to give up?

Direct Answer Concretely, the transcript points to testing beliefs by Scripture and the “testimony of the ancient church,” choosing to “serve in the church” rather than build a personal platform; it would require giving up self-made teachings, vanity, and the desire to lead a separate school.

Support from Transcript:

  • He says “the most accurate knowledge and the best set of principles” are found “only in the truth and in the testimony of the ancient church.”
  • He says it is necessary to “demonstrate from the scriptures the policy of various heresies,” implying submission involves measurable testing, not novelty.
  • He portrays deceivers as those who use “human teachings that they themselves invented.” Submission would mean refusing invented doctrines.
  • He identifies motives to surrender: “Self-love and vanity,” being “wise in their own opinions,” and lacking “real evidence.”
  • He says they “would rather be the head of some heretical school than to serve in the church,” so submission would mean preferring faithful service over prominence.
Discussion Follow-ups What would change in a person’s teaching style and goals if their aim shifted from being “head” to being a servant accountable to the church’s historic witness?

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