A-Millennial?
WORDS from the WORD by Charles L. Feinberg, Th.D., Ph.D., Director, Talbot Theological Seminary
Pre-Millennial?
Post-Millennial? Are you puzzled? Are you bewil dered? Is your face turned into pale ness at the sight of a world in col lapse? Jeremiah says, “Wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?” Jer. 30:6. Are you pre- or are you post? Do you know the difference? Are you prepared for the Hydrogen Bomb? Are you ready for mass destruction? Is the smash-up of civilization “just around the comer” ? Is there a way out? We think we have the answer; at least we hope it will be the answer to these questions. We want to send you facts on which you may reach your own conclusions. We want also to show you that the crisis hours of the days ahead require an immediate and intensive gospelization of Israel. So, if you will send us one dollar, we will mail you promptly the fol lowing supplies:- 1. That great scholar, Dr. Frank S. Weston’s tract, “Pre or Post-Millennialism, Does It Matter Which?” 2. A copy of our tract, “A To morrow for the Jews.” 3. A copy of “A Modem Mis sionary to an Ancient People.” 4. One year’s subscription to THE CHOSEN PEOPLE, our noted Jewish missionary and Bible-teaching magazine. 5. Dr. Arthur Petrie’s newest tract, “Of the Jews.” The coupon is below and we shall be thankful if you will fill it out and mail it to us. There is also opportun ity for you to make a gift for the world-wide work of the American Board of Missions to the Jews. It is a work to which your fellowship is al ways welcomed, and a work which will bring to you much personal bless ing. Try at once and see for yourself. American Board of Missions to the Jews, Inc., Dept. 8 236 W. 72nd St., New York 23, N.Y. Dear Friends: ! long for the coming of the Prince of Peace. Herein I enclose $1.00; send me your package. I also joyfully en close $.......................... as my fellowship with you in your world-wide Gospel ministry to Israel. Name................................................................................... . Address................................................................................ City............ .................. Zone.......... State............... Canadian Office: 39 King William St., Hamilton, Ont.
Doctrine
ill he English word doctrine comes I from the Latin doctrina, derived 1 from doceo, to teach. It speaks of the act of teaching and that which is taught. The term is now used in the second sense only. The ministry of our day is characterized for the most part by either an avoidance of or dislike for doctrinal preaching. It is a matter of fact that those who are true to the fundamentals of the faith are among those who preach doctrine; those who have departed from the old paths are those who minimize doc trinal preaching. Thus one’s attitude in this regard is revealing as to the ological commitment. The Old Testament makes use of some three words which are trans lated doctrine. Leqah denotes that which is received and is found in Moses’ final song (Deut. 32:2), in Zophar’s rebuke of Job for his pro testations of innocence (Job 11:4), in Solomon’s advice to young men (Prov. 4 :2), and in Isaiah’s picture of the glories of the future (Isa. 29:24). Jeremiah uses the word musar , chas tisement or instruction, to rebuke those who follow the follies of idol atry (Jer. 10:8). Shemuah, that which is heard, is employed by Isaiah in his d e n u n c i a t i o n of the wicked in Ephraim (Isa. 28:9). In the New Testament three words are translated doctrine. Once logos, meaning word, is translated thus in Hebrews 6:1. All other references to the concept of doctrine are from didaskalia (teaching , that is, the content) and didache (teaching , that is, the act). However, in some pas sages it is difficult to decide between the act of teaching or the content of the teaching. Didache is found in numerous contexts referring to the teaching ministry of Christ which excited the astonishment of the com mon people (Matt. 7:28; 22:33; Mark 1:22, 27; 4:2; Luke 4:32; John 7:16, 17); that of the apostles (Acts 2:42; 5:28; 13:12); of Paul (Acts 17:19); of the Christian faith (Rom. 6:17; 2 John 9, 10). Hebrews 6:2 speaks of certain teachings in Judaism and Hebrews 13:9 refers to strange teach ings. Teaching as a gift in the church is set forth in 1 Corinthians 14:6, 26
and as a method of ministry in 2 Timothy 4:2. Also the teaching of the Pharisees is noted in Matthew 16:12, “ . . . beware . . . of the doc trine of the Pharisees . . . .” Didaskalia occurs 19 times in all and 15 of these are found in the pastoral epistles of Timothy and Titus. The false teaching o f th e Pharisees, which placed the authority of man on the level with that of God, is warned against by Christ (Matt. 15:9; Mark 7:7). Paul warns against teaching which craftily carries off the unwary among the followers of Christ (Eph. 4:14), as well as that which a r i s e s f r o m an asceticism which results in no spiritual profit (Col. 2:22). The references in the pastorals (1 Tim. 1:10; 4:1, 6, 13, 16; 2 Tim. 3:10,16; 4:3; Titus 1:9; 2:1, 7, 10) are pointed in two main directions: exhortation to cleave to sound or true doctrine and admonition against false doctrine. The doctrines of the Pharisees were a definite body of teaching handed down traditionally from generation to generation (Matt. 15:9; 16:12; Mark 7:7). The doctrine of Christ was attractive, new, and above all, authoritative and was recognized as different from that of the Pharisees (Matt. 7:28; Mark 1:22, 27; Luke 4:32). The doctrinal system of the New Testament, largely set forth by Paul emphasized three truths: 1) Jesus is the Messiah (Acts 3:18). 2) Jesus is risen from the dead (Acts 1:22). 3) Salvation is through faith in Him (Acts 2:38). In the pastoral epistles there is presupposed a body of teaching which was generally received and was a well-defined standard and norm of orthodoxy. That which is called “ sound doctrine” is in contrast to unhealthy teaching emanating from false teachers. This sound doctrine is not confined to one place but is distributed throughout the New Testament. The believer is warned especially against doctrines of demons (1 Tim. 4 :1), those which are inspired by evil spirits. The warnings in the Bible against false doctrines are both numerous and forceful. Let us give heed to sound doctrine. END.
JANUARY 1957
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