How much trust should we put in councils
when they do not use the door to enter the
sheepfold? Instead they “climb up some
other way,” as the Lord says in John 10:1, 9.
The debating at those councils was like the
walking of a blind person by day or a sighted
person by night, each of whom fails to see
a great pit before falling into it. Instead, my
friend, as you approach the Word, go to the
God of the Word and enter the sheepfold of
the church through the door. Then you will be
enlightened. (True Christianity 177)
The way to resolve doctrinal issues then
is to “properly examine” the Word, something
that the ecumenical councils often failed to
do. We read:
The Council of Nicaea introduced the idea
of three divine persons from eternity for the
reason that it had not properly examined the
Word. (True Christianity 633)
The question,
then, is not what
the people or the
leadership think is
right, but what the
Word teaches when
fully understood
– whether we like
it or not. This
is the question
that we look for
consensus about.
This is why the practice in the General
Church is not to vote on any doctrinal issue but to attempt to examine the
Word properly – not relying on one or two proof passages but reconciling all
the relevant passages so as to see the question more clearly. We read:
One truth does not make good firm but many truths do so. For one truth
unconnected to others does not confirm it only a number together, because from
one truth it is possible to see another. One by itself does not give any form to good,
and so does not manifest any essential quality possessed by good; but many in a
connected series do so. (Arcana Coelestia 4197)
The question, then, is not what the people or the leadership think is right,
but what the Word teaches when fully understood – whether we like it or not.
This is the question that we look for consensus about.
When Balaam failed to curse Israel, but blessed them instead, Balak was
enraged:Flee to your place. I said I would greatly honor you, but in fact, the Lord
has kept you back from honor. (Numbers 24:10)
Kept back from honor
It is almost humorous to read Balak saying that the Lord kept Balaam back
from honor. Who cares about any honors that Balak might have conferred?
But honor and reputation are often no laughing matter in people’s lives. It takes
courage to think and believe things that run counter to popular thought. In the
Sermon on the Mount the Lord says:
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