The Difference between Legitimate and Illegitimate Forms of Christianity

For those who want to understand what is the difference between legitimate and illegitimate forms of Christianity from a historical perspective (I would add, biblical and covenantal), there is AN EXCELLENT BOOK:

THE HERESY OF ORTHODOXY, by Kostenberger and Kruger.

The subtitle for the book is: "How contemporary culture's fascination with diversity has reshaped our understanding of early Christianity"

This is a MUST READ. Especially in light of the confusion that I have noticed in many threads recently, it is obvious that there is a GREAT NEED for people to understand these fundamentals.

In Christ,
Renoncer

Just bumping this thread so that more people could get this important resource.

In Christ,
Renoncer

Has anyone ever read this book?

If you want to read a book review for THE HERESY OF ORTHODOXY, just go to http://www.apologetics315.com/2012/03/book-review-heresy-of-orthodoxy-by.html

I really think that the information contained in this book is absolutely vital for our day and age, especially in light of the confusion of some threads I have read in the past few weeks on sermonindex.

In Christ,
Renoncer

amrkelly,

First of all, I don't think you need to read Walter Bauer's thesis to understand Kostenberger and Kruger's book, THE HERESY OF ORTHODOXY.
In fact, they summarize the main points that they are refuting.

As for the value of this book, it presents a very solid defense of orthodox Christianity (meaning, biblical Christianity - NOT EASTERN ORTHODOX), against the increasingly popular view that any kind of Christianity is legitimate. In fact, some people even go so far as to question the basis for rejecting illegitimate forms of Christianity.

You would be surprised how many people are questioning the foundation of Christianity, both the writings that constitute the Bible and the teachings handed down by the apostles. They don't like the fact that certain people are branded as "heretics", because they don't understand the historical and theological importance of making such a distinction. (Some people who have contributed to sermonindex threads fall into this category.)

Others have accepted heretical teachings without knowing it. They are flirting with dangerous ideas and are at the edge of a precipice and don't even know it. (Many people who have contributed to sermonindex threads fall into this category... and obviously, are not aware of it.)

What Kruger and Kostenberger do (among other things), is that they give you an accurate historical account of the Early Church's stance against false teachers, hence the distinction between the writings that came to be included in the Bible and those that were rejected.

They provide a solid ground for people to:
1) Know that the Bible is the Word of God (as opposed to various other competing writings)
2) Recognize the importance of distinguishing between legitimate and illegitimate forms of Christianity
3) Reject damnable heresies (by first recognizing them, and then by standing up against them)
4) Abide in the truth of the Christian faith, when so many errors are threatening to engulf them.

The truth is that our culture is becoming less tolerant of the exclusivist claims of Christianity, people in the Church are getting more comfortable with heretical teachings (both because they don't see the importance of drawing the line, and because they don't know how to draw the line), and the influence of false teachers like Bauer and Erhman is spreading like gangrene, and people aren't even aware of it.

So, how can we fight against a danger that is present but unknown to many? First, inform them concerning the danger. Second, convince them of the danger. Third, give them the tools necessary to avoid the danger. THAT IS WHAT KRUGER AND KOSTENBERGER's book accomplishes.

I hope that answers your questions, amrkelly.
In Christ,
Renoncer

One of God's primary rules is that only the repentant will ever get to know Him. Don't ask me for chapter and verse on that, but if Ehrman thinks he can arrive at the foot of the Savior by critical analysis, he is destined to a life of disappointment.

Our God is consumed with a desire to be in relationship with the beloved pinacle of His creation, sometimes hard to believe when we gaze into a mirror wondering just what He sees. But He has ordered His Word to be rendered through the frailty of human flesh so that only those with repentant hearts will be able to comprehend and be apprehended by it.

How do you come to academic grips with that?

No one reading this is obligated to anything I might claim to have heard from God, but for what it is worth, I am convinced that I heard this directly into my spirit from His.

"You can believe My word."

Over many months, and stretching into years those words almost hounded me. I was not one who doubted the Word, making it even stranger to keep hearing this. But over the years I came to realize how easy it was to be deceived, and stray from God. Through it all the Word has kept me, comforted me, confronted me, changed me.

I serve a God who loves me enough to never lie to me, trick me, tease me, or discount my value to Him. I do not need to worry about errors in the Bible, just the errors in me.

Go onto your face before Him, Dr. Ehrman. You might rise up as a man of foolish faith and have a witness inside of eternal life.

Sidewalk,

Amen. We must submit to God's Word.

The problem usually comes when you have conflicting voices:

1) A Mormon hears a voice saying that the Book of Mormon and the Church of Latter-Day Saints are worthy to be trusted (and feels a burning in the bosom);
2) Whereas a Christian hears a voice saying that the Bible and the teachings handed down by the Apostles are worthy to be trusted (and also feels a conviction in his heart).

Now, how can you argue that the Mormon is being misled (deceived by his heart and possibly by an evil spirit), while arguing that the Christian is being guided by the Holy Spirit?

That is where we must go down to crude facts, taking into consideration historical accounts. You see, God revealed Himself in history for this purpose, showing forth His miraculous power through Jesus Christ and the Apostles, to authenticate their words and ministry. He left His mark in history so that we may know that His Word is indeed found in the Bible.

That is where Kruger and Kostenberger's book becomes critical. They give you a firm historical foundation to stand firm in the Christian Faith, trusting the Word of God as handed down by the Apostles.

In Christ,
Renoncer

amrkelly,

The book goes back to the very beginnings, the days of the Apostles.

Renoncer

Well said!

I prefaced my remark that no one is obligated to what I believe God told me, because I am the only witness. Just as Jesus could not condemn the woman taken in adultery because when all the accusers were gone He knew that at least two witnesses are required for any condemnation.

And so it is with our gospel of truth, Jesus came onto the scene with a thorough and multi-generational witness of who He was through many prophets who laid out their parts of the revelation.

Contrast that with Joseph Smith, Charles Russell, Mohammad, and a host of others who came along and wooed followers with the force of their own personalities and private interpretations of life.

Even here on this forum, we glean from one another bits and pieces with which to build a good and solid faith, learning to recognize those who know God and those who only think they do. And of course those who have never known Him at all!

Alas, people like Ehrman who do not bow to the authority of the Word have only themselves as final authority. Thinking themselves to be wise, they have become foolish, as Paul (or some mythical ghost writer?) might say.

Amen Sidewalk.