Articles
Avoid Foolish Debates
Paul instructed Timothy, “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels” (2 Tim. 2:23). He called a desire for controversy "youthful passions." Paul knew that controversy leads to quarrels that disrupt the unity of a church. Earlier, Paul warned, “charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” (2:14) Instead of engaging in controversy, Paul teaches Timothy, “flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2:22) God has revealed what will please him. Our responsibility is “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2:15)
Some subjects God revealed are difficult for us to understand (cf. 2 Pet. 3:16). Peter warned of false teachers who are “ignorant and unstable" and twist the Scriptures "to their own destruction." No one knows anything about any spiritual subject other than what is revealed through Scripture. When Job was tested, he speculated and asserted many things about God, and God revealed to him his assertions were wrong. Job confessed, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:2-6) Are we not like Job?
Most people hate confrontation and controversy. They will do almost anything to avoid having to confront someone. When brothers or sisters turn their speculation into "doctrine," the controversy created by such turns people away from essential truth. The doctrines of the end times are a perfect example of things hard to understand that are a playground for speculation. To avoid speculation, we must accept, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deut. 29:29).
God has revealed to us what we need to know. Nearly every time an apostle teaches about Jesus' second coming, they stress the need to be ready for our Lord's return. There is rarely a detailed explanation of the future. Why? “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.” (2 Pet. 1:3-4)
We should be satisfied with what God gave us. Revealed Scripture belongs to us. We should avoid engaging in foolish controversies and speculative arguments. Instead, we should focus on pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace, while adhering to the teachings revealed in Scripture.
