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Question 5

When “conflicting teachings” cause doubts, the solution given is to go to a church teacher “skilled at reconciling doctrines” by showing “the link between the two testaments”; what does this assume about the role of the church, tradition, and trained teachers that clashes with modern “just me and my Bible” independence?

Another way to ask: What does this solution assume about the church, tradition, and trained teachers that goes against a “just me and my Bible” approach? How do you react to the idea of needing a skilled teacher to connect the Old and New Testaments?

Direct Answer It assumes God uses the church and skilled teachers to stabilize believers, and that doctrine is meant to be reconciled within the unified story of Scripture (both testaments), not privately improvised. It also assumes “apostolic doctrines” and “orthodox teachings” are a real standard that guards people from drifting into opinion and heresy.

Support from Transcript:

“If conflicting teachings draw some away… the one who’s having doubts should go to a teacher in the church who is skilled at reconciling doctrines.”
The teacher can show “the link between the two testaments” and “explain the truth.”
He can “restore the unsteady who are timid in the faith” by “the power of the Scriptures.”
The intimate-with-God believer “maintains apostolic doctrines and the orthodox teachings of the church.”
Heretics “establish their false doctrines by using human teachings to oppose divine tradition.”

Discussion Follow-ups Who in your church actually has the skill to reconcile doctrines biblically? What “divine tradition” (apostolic teaching) have you treated as optional?

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