Is the (apparent) doctrinal illiteracy among the professing church an indication...?

Question

...that we are close to the time referred to in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 & 4?

Thanks in advance for all sincere, polite replies.

May God bless you.

Answer 1

Carl,

Yes, I believe it is. Just look at the first answer posted on here (idahomike).
The mind that thinks that doctrine is not important is the mind that will fall for 'doctrines of demons'.

(The bible tells us to have SOUND doctrine. So, so much for that silly unbiblical answer.)

The three most important doctrines being ignored by the professing church today are;

1) The diety of Christ

2) The bodily resurrection of our Lord

3) Salvation by grace through faith alone

The first two must be believed to even be a christian per scripture. I would have to put the third in that camp also. Because if a person doesnt know the biblical way to become a christian, then how can one even be a christian.

Remember the passage where Jesus said, "Many shall say 'Lord, Lord'....." and the Lord replied, "Depart from Me. I never knew you" (the reference escapes me)

The greek word for "many" means the majority. So, from that passage alone, scripture seems to indicate that a MINIMUM of 51% of the people professing to be christian, are in fact NOT.

That is a very scary thought.

We seem to have reached the time when people seem to think that they are a christian just because they call themselves that. They infuse the word with whatever meaning that 'tickles their ears".

Those of us that insist on some sort of minimal doctrininal purity (at least on the three points referenced above) are called bigots and 'unloving'.

I myself find it easier and easier to make a distinction between 'brothers and sisters in the Lord' and professing puesdo believers. (try fellowshiping with a 'puesdo christian and see how uncomfortable everyone gets. lol)

I know we are not to judge the secret hearts of people (the Lord knows who is His), but it has reached the point where no "judging" is needed. They proudly proclaim their 'independence' from 'old fashion narrow-minded ideas' and insist that they are a 'christian' in the real sense of the word. I have known christians who are less than a month 'in the Lord' who know more correct doctrine than many of the folks on these y/answers who supposdly have been christians for years.

If it wasnt so tragic it would be funny.


Like the Lord in the book of Revelation, it makes one want to vomit. (I will spew thee out of my mouth)

If you look at all the sin the visable church is accepting into their pulpits (acceptance of homosexuality, a low view of the authority of scripture, the embracing of the idea that 'all sincere roads and religions lead to the same God, etc, etc) it is obvious that we are probably entering the time that the bible talks about that is coming in the last days.

The Apostasy of the church is one of the signs. The professing christian church is being set up for 'the Great Deception'.

Thanks for the question. Lets hope it's an 'eyeopener" for many.



theBerean

Answer 2

2 Thessalonians 2:3 & 4 does not indicate a future doctrinal illiteracy. However, the greatest doctrinal illiteracy among those professed to be Christians took place over the centuries before Wycliffe and the Lollards, who painstakingly copied out thousands of copies of the English Bible and taught people to read them. It is unlikely that the stupefying levels of ignorance and superstition prevalent in Europe in the Dark and Middle Ages had ever been reached before then, and it is unlikely that they ever will be again.
.

Answer 3

Hard one to answer. Seems as of in some circles there is a contempt for truth and a gathering of teaches that teach them what they want to hear, rather than preaching the whole council of God. Yet reports in other lands is that there are many hungering for the truth. So it may be Gods judgment on some lands who suppress the truth in unrighteousness that He is turning them over to believe the lie and sending them a strong delusion, yet in oppressed lands He seems to be opening doors, no man can shut. I also don't think the man of sin has been revealed yet.
I think what we see here is the result of the great effort to rid the country of God and His Word. No prayer in most situations, no ten commandments even in the courtrooms of all things, a major effort to remove all Christian symbols etc, even the boy scouts are being targeted while the gays are protected. We have exchanged the truth for the lie to a large degree and are suffering the consequences.

Answer 4

Whether it means we're close to the time described, I don't know (though I suspect we are), but the church -- i.e. the professing church as opposed to the genuinely saved -- is certainly very close to that attitude described in the named passage, and in 2 Tim. 3:1-8.

The objection is frequently raised that man was ever thus: nevertheless that these are regarded as the signs that make the true believer aware, indicates it is something unusual. Perhaps it refers to churches that have had a hitherto strong tradition of Biblical orthodoxy, abandoning the Bible for their source of information? This gained momentum when the church accepted the old-earth theories put forward by secular scientists, and decided to heed the words of fallible men with nothing to go on but their (mis)interpretation of geology, rather than the words written down by God's human witnesses.

I speak as a man who was brought up to believe in the theory of Darwinian evolution, but who discovered that these people, like Professor Dawkins, the late Carl Sagan et al DELIBERATELY ignore evidence that conflicts with their theories, and REFUSE to debate with creationist scientists.
Richard Dawkins, during an interview on BBC4 a few days ago, said "... while shepherds watched their flocks by night, wise men read 'The God Delusion.'" But as the Bible says:
'The FOOL hath said in his heart, "There is no God."' (Psalm 14:1; Ps 53:1).
Paul wrote: 'Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man and birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.' (Rom. 1:22,23, but read the following verses for the result of this).
Why professing Christians would rather read books whose eternal effect is inconsequential, rather the Bible, which imparts the words of God, and wakes in all true Christians the desire to warn and exhort the unsaved, is beyond me. Yes, I fail God every day, and far more often than I succeed in what He wants me to do for Him; nevertheless my attitude is to point as many people as I can to 'the Way, the Truth, and the Life', Jesus, Who is the ONLY way to avoid damnation.

I hope the church will heed 2 Chron. 7:14: that way we may seek to warn others to 'FLEE from the wrath that is to come.' (Matt. 3:7).

Answer 5

I don't know, but the unwillingness of many Christians in the UK to study their faith in any depth is nothing new. It is however surprising. Our faith has a rich and interesting history all over the world. There are loads of mistakes we do not need to repeat and loads of holy guys who taught useful spiritual things we just ignore. It isn't going to happen from the top, so my brothers and sisters who have some mental dexterity going spare, how about starting a grass-roots movement?

Answer 6

I say AMEN to what beekay and the berean said.
I completely agree.

As the Bible says in Colossians 2:8
8See to it that no one takes you captive by(A) philosophy and(B) empty deceit, according to(C) human tradition, according to the(D) elemental spirits[a] of the world, and not according to Christ.

(And I see this happening everywhere! People who are into so many things that claim to be the truth, but are NOT in line with scripture nor even holding to Jesus Christ. Philosophies that just tickle the ears of many, and sound good to them- so they follow them, thinking it is "deep truth" when in fact it is HOLLOW!)

Answer 7

And lo, many shall seek the things that they thought they knew where they were but know were gone. even though he saw them yesterday. and there was much wailing from the virgins of calpapatha who knew not the time of the things. All did wonder at such wonderousness.
The book of Dom 20:30

Answer 8

Mt 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many

Yes.

Answer 9

define which"doctrine" you are talking about.... but do not worry about "doctrine"... that is man invented... follow only God... as God leads you by His Word and Will for you.