Watchout For WOLVES: Keys To Discerning Authentic Ministries & Evaluating Doctrinal Trends

7. HISTORICAL CONNECTION

Where does our desire for cultural relevancy end and our responsibility to those who have died in the faith begin (Pro. 22:28; 23:10; Jude 3)? While we must have a voice to the present, we cannot totally extract or divorce ourselves from the church of the past. We must be careful that we do not forsake the “ancient landmarks” that are to be part of our modern heritage (Pro. 22:28; 23:10). Many of the challenges faced by the church today, many of the philosophical and doctrinal journeys that the church takes are not unlike those of other generations. If we cannot learn from the mistakes or abuses of the past we are destined to repeat them. If we cannot link ourselves back to the New Testament believers we will culturalize all of our theology in the name of relevancy and end up with no connection to “the faith once delivered” (Jude 3). Jude seems to think that this is something for which we must “contend.” Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. When you read Paul’s letters you get the distinct feeling that when he speaks of “the faith” he has in mind a body of truth that forms the basis of “our faith” (2 Cor. 13:5a).

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith .

Notice also the following:

…obedience to the faith… Romans 1:5

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