This contains the most asked doctrinal questions I get (or should get) in the interview process. There are no verses listed as this is concerned with interpretation, not proof texting. When I read what the Bible says on these topics, this is where I land, topic per topic.
The Trinity
The term trinity is not a Bible word, but rather, a theological concept. The KJV and NKJV use the term GodHead and this seemed like a good Bible name for the Triune God. Unfortunately, modern translations don't use this term and just speak of divinity in general.
The Trinity is one God revealed in three persons. Each independent in thought but sharing the same divine attributes: eternal existence, omniscience, omnipresence and omnipotence. Jesus has two natures, one physical and the other divine. Jesus is obedient to the Father, due to his begotten eternal existence, yet fully God with total authority as Firstborn over all creation.
Eldership
The leaders of the church who will be held accountable for the church on judgement day. They should be mature, married, and be leaders of their homes. Known also as bishops & overseers. They are the pastors of the church and are the primary teachers. They should always be in a group and no church has just one elder.
Deacons
Deacons are servants that have similar qualifications to elders. They are over specific ministries in the church and will probably become elders someday. Even so, they are not junior elders, should not be voting equally with elders, and should report to the elders like the preacher would.
Preacher
Biblically known as an evangelist, the one who is responsible for exhorting the church and evangelism. He could become an elder over time, as elders are given their office by reputation. If a preacher becomes an elder, it is preferable to call all the elders/bishop/pastors by the same title to not imply one is over the others.
Marriage
Marriage is only between a man and woman. Male and Female are defined at birth, which corresponds to their genitalia (unless there is a birth defect). Gender is not malleable, nor can it be changed on a whim. You are born one gender or the other. Gender Dysphoria is a mental disorder, not a problem of biology.
Homosexuality
It is a sin and an abomination before God. Those who condone the activity are just as bound to hell.
Abortion
The murder of an unborn child, in the womb of the mother. This is sin pure and simple. Mothers can be forgiven, as well as the fathers who paid for such acts of violence. Repentance can bring salvation and lost children can be visited in heaven.
Critical Race Theory
CRT is founded on Marxist tenets and should not be celebrated, taught, or entertained in the church. It is pure racism and instills false guilt into the body of Christ.
Women's Role in the Church
Women do not make the final decisions or teach the men. Therefore, women should not be elders or the preacher.
Alcohol
The Biblical position is that alcohol is permissible in a medicinal way in dealing with life's stresses and killing germs, but its abuse is very dangerous. Alcohol is not for "priest and kings" meaning if you are a decision maker, alcohol will make clear thinking difficult. Taking all the verses in context, alcohol is okay in moderation, at least in Bible times, but today's alcohol is so potent it is recommended one not drink anymore.
Baptism
The time and place of salvation. No power in the water, but power in obedience to the divine command to have your sins washed away. Baptism is not a work. Exceptions should be exceptional and not an excuse to not be baptized if one possibly could.
Worship Styles
The New Testament church did not use instruments and we should ask, “Why?" This hearkens back to a simpler time as music has become very showy in modern services. I recommend a simpler service, appropriate for the people in the area. Instruments should not dominate a service and lyrics should be analyzed for doctrinal integrity. It has been noticed, that many contemporary song leaders have become atheist or have joined the LGBT movement from the churches that produce much of modern worship music. This has happened so often we need to take note that something is obviously wrong with modern Christian music. If the song leaders leave the faith, should we be singer their songs? Concerning visitors, if converts must be entertained to commit their life to Christ, then frankly, they are not ready to become Christians. Worship is for God by Christians, not visitors who don’t know God.
Calvinism
I reject Calvinism, based upon their false assertion freely accepting Christ violates God's sovereignty. The accompanying doctrines of once saved always saved, total depravity, unconditional election, limited atonement, and irresistible grace are rejected as well. We are to choose Christ and not wait on a sign of being one of the elect to know if we are saved. We are saved when we respond and obey the gospel.
End Times & Revelation
Jesus is coming back, the dead in Christ will rise first, everyone is gathered for a judgement and the sheep go to heaven and the goats go to hell that punishes eternally. I reject Dispensational Pre-Milliennialism as obviously false. I am Semi-Preterist in my eschatology, or more simply: a lot of New Testament prophecy was fulfilled within the generation of Jesus' first coming, but He is still coming back to raise the "quick and the dead."
Creationism
6 24 hour days. Dinosaurs on the ark. Worldwide flood that covered all the mountains. Earth thousands of years old. Death before sin.
Apostolic Gifts (tongues, prophecies)
No longer accessible to Christians, as the Apostles died 2000 years ago and only they could pass these gifts on by the laying on their hands.
Covid and the Church's Response
The media and government used our love for one another against us and turned our Biblical mandate of “following the ruling authorities” into breaking our Lord's command of “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.” The lock downs were built upon lies as everything they told us turned out not to be true: asymptomatic spread was a myth, the number of deaths were exaggerated, cloth mask and distancing were ineffective, and there were simple remedies available, all now admitted to by the CDC. Eventually we all figured out that the virus was just like any other virus throughout history: if you have symptoms stay home; but if you felt fine, you should have been in church.
This information was available, but because of rampant censorship on the internet and the mainstream news media peddling fear, millions quit attending church for something very few people were vulnerable too. What will your church do when they impose more illegal mandates when the next major "crisis" arises? My concern is, if churches cease services again, they may never recover. This is a time of testing for the church and we need to be just as discerning of the news and government as we are with the scriptures. Are we not essential?
