Grace Points: A NEW VIRUS FOR THE NEW YEAR

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears" (2 Timothy 4:3)

The importance of sound doctrine is a major and often mentioned issue in Paul's Pastoral Epistles; and well it should be (I Timothy 1:3,10; 4:6,13,16; 5:17; 6:1,3; 2 Timothy 3:10,16; 4:2-3; Titus 1:9; 2:1,7,10). The words teach, teacher, teaching are all translated from a derivation of the same Greek word that is translated doctrine! These epistles represent Paul's "swan song" before his "departure" to be with the Lord (2 Tim. 4:6). Paul is a "preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles " (2 Tim. 1:1 1), therefore, his "charge" to Timothy carries with it great authority. His teaching is given much like a military instructor might give instruction. It is given as an order, a duty to which Timothy and all pastors are accountable (1 Tim. 5:20; 2 Tim. 4:1). It is not that Paul's last words are any more inspired of God the Holy Spirit than at any other time, but rather are especially underlined or emphasized by his repeated use of the word "charge" (I Tim. 1:3,5,18; 4:11; 5:7; 6:13,17; 2 Tim. 4:1). As such, they may well be his most important or most urgent message to the church. Paul, by divine inspiration, is motivated to write the instructions and warnings in these epistles because he anticipates the problems associated with the "last days" and 'perilous times" (2 Tim. 3:1; cf. l Tim. 4:1). One of the problems that the church will have to deal with is a new virus identified as "itching ears"! A problem caused by the church's departure from sound doctrine (2 Tim. 4:3).

This new virus was a very highly contagious one that had infected the Ephesian Church. As a result, Timothy was sent there by Paul, the Apostle, to find a cure (1 Tim. 1:3-7). The virus was the infiltration of Jewish legalism, Talmudic 'fables" and Gnostic myths (a collection of mystical, make-believe, extra-biblical revelations about angels, philosophical concepts, miracles, signs, etc.) and "endless genealogies" (the distortion of Old Testament Genealogies into abstract allegories). Paul called it "vain jangling" and it stood in opposition and in contrast to what he called "sound doctrine." The "fables" and "genealogies" describe a system of false doctrine which lead believers away from the truth of the Mystery (Eph. 3:1-9). They are a Satanic attack upon Church-Age doctrine. This is very plain when we take a closer look at First Timothy 1:4. This verse explains a large portion of what Paul's focus and motivation was for the letters he wrote to Timothy. Unfortunately, this is somewhat obscured by the translation of verse four:

"Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith. so do " (1 Tim. 1:4/KJV).

The phrase I am interested in explaining is, "godly edifying." Here is how it looks in the Greek text: (RATHER THAN the DISPENSATION OF GOD)

This phrase clearly says that the Judaizers were willingly and knowingly teaching their legalism rather than "furthering the administration / dispensation of God which is by faith." This they did in order to detract from the fact that Israel had been set aside because of their unbelief. It was an attempt to deny that the Dispensation of Grace had begun, and that the Body of Christ was now the agency through which the plan of God was to be executed. They acted as if the Dispensation of the Church wasn't here or didn't exist. They labored to go right on with the Dispensation of Israel. This is not at all unlike what covenant theology and many, many others are doing today.

Paul had installed Timothy as the pastor of the Ephesian Church in order to contend with and suppress the false teachings that were taking root there. The Church at Ephesus had been a strong "Grace" church, thoroughly indoctrinated in the truths of the Mystery. However, even in Paul's day, knowing the threat that "seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived " (2 Tim. 3:13), Paul warned that the day would come when they would not want what they really needed - "sound doctrine," i.e., dispensational theology; the doctrine of the Church which is the Body of Christ; the believer's heavenly hope; the blessed hope - the Rapture; spirituality by grace, the Word of God; the filling of the Holy Spirit and the termination of all ceremonies and rituals! Timothy must emphasize dispensational theology! And so must we! Bible believing, fundamentalist, "Grace" Christians must take every opportunity to orientate believers to dispensational theology; even more so as we see the progressive and growing threat to the truth of the Word of God. If we do not take heed and take a bold stand, all of our "Grace" churches will eventually become involved in false teaching. No pastor can lead his congregation to spiritual maturity or fulfill his ministry apart from dispensational truth. Yes, there will be difficult and perhaps painful consequences when fighting the "Itching Ear" Virus. "Yea, all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12.)

First, concerning the health of the church, the congregation "will not endure sound doctrine." They are not driven by a desire to know the Bible doctrines that will cause them to grow in grace and be conformed to the image of Christ. They do not want "sound doctrine, " but rather seek or desire to experience what their "lust" dictates. They seek what they want - not what they need. They are "lovers of pleasures" (2 Tim. 3:4), much like the theater goers and the sports enthusiasts of today. Such has long been the practice and pleasure of unsaved men - an endless search for fulfillment - even as the Athenians who "spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing" (Acts 17:21).

In another arena, the health of our nation (Prov. 14:34; Ps. 9: 17), the problem is similar and parallel. A problem being very vividly illustrated and played out by the public's reaction to the current Clinton Sex Scandal (Summer of 1998). In spite of the grossness of his sin and behavior, his popularity continues to be high and every excuse seems to be employed to excuse his sin. Why? Because, to condemn his actions would be a condemnation of those that practice or condone the same perverted values of right and wrong. They are not going to condemn or judge Clinton any more than did the people of whom Paul wrote:

"Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them" (Rom. 1:32).

"When thou sawest a thief, then thou consented with him, and hast been partaker with adulterers" (Ps. 50:18).

They do not desire what is needed but pursue only what they want. Now, this is what prompts Paul's concern as he addresses Timothy and the Church. He is concerned that what has always been so much a part of the thinking, philosophy and values of the heathen the unsaved world will, in the "last days," invade the Church. This is a new virus and unbefitting behavior for believers. The problem is that: Saved men, "shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. 3:1-7).

Saved men, "have turned aside unto vain jangling" (1 Tim. 1:6). They have "swerved" from "a good conscience and of faith unfeigned" (1 Tim.1:5)

When we read this unsavory list of sins and deviations from sound doctrine that will overtake many believers, it seems unthinkable that there would ever come a time when saved people would ever be tempted to turn aside from the precious and satisfying truth of the gospel of grace (2 Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:16). But, such is the deceitfulness and the power of the flesh in the "last days. " The possibility and temptation is there for all of us. No one is immune. It is for this reason that Paul passionately and earnestly pleads with Timothy and, in a secondary sense, with all of us who find ourselves at that point of prophetic history called the "last days. ""O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust" (1 Tim. 6:20). This sacred trust is being lost. The Church is, with the speed of lightning, turning away from Paul's Gospel.

Saved men, are not:
· to "strive about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers" (2 Tim. 2:14).

· to "give heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth " (Titus 1 :14).

Saved men, are:
· to "avoid profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called" (1 Tim. 6:20).

· to "shun profane and vain babblings. for they will increase unto more ungodliness" (2 Tim. 2:16).

· to "refuse profane and old wives 'fables'" (1 Tim. 4:7).

· to "avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and vain" (Titus 3:9).

· to reject "a man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition, knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself" (Titus 3:10-11).

· to "study to show themselves approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

· to "teach no other doctrine" (1 Tim. 1:3).

· to avoid "foolish and unlearned questions, knowing that they do gender strifes " (2 Tim. 2:23).

Secondly, the economic law of supply and demand comes into play. They "heap unto themselves teachers having itching ears" (2 Tim. 4:3-4). The demand for these "lusts" creates a void that can only be filled by deviant and compromising preachers. It appears from the text and the grammar of the text, that both the congregation and the teachers have the itch. The congregation, because of the itch, will turn away from the truth and the preachers, too, in order to satisfy the demand. The demand creates the supply. "The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so"(Jer. 5:31).

Dr. Harry Bultema says, "The hearers invite and shape their own preachers. If the people desire a calf to worship, a ministerial calf-maker is readily found. " The fundamentals of the faith and our separation from apostasy are being increasingly ignored. The Devil is achieving one of his greatest victories in our time through preachers, Sunday School teachers, youth ministers, musicians, Christian periodicals and church members who have, rather than "preach the Word, " replaced the essentials with brief essays (three points and a poem), book reports and amusing anecdotes.

Dr. Harry Ironsides said 50 years ago (1947 - at that time he was pastor of the then famous Moody Church in Chicago) that, "The Church of God has gone into the entertainment business! People must be amused, and as the Church needs the people's money, the Church must, perforce, supply the demand and meet the craving! How else are godless hypocrites to be held together? How otherwise can the throngs of unconverted youths and maidens be attracted to the "services"? So the picture show and the entertainment, in the form of musicale (sacred, perhaps./) and minstrel show, take the place of the gospel address and the solemn worship of God. And, thus, Christless souls are lulled to sleep and made to feel "religious" while gratifying every carnal desire under the sanction of the sham called the Church! And the end? What an awakening! " Their main feature is the new novelty - it's the new virus for the last days! It's called Neo-evangelicalism - Ecumenical Evangelism - Evangelicals and Catholics together - "Stealth Evangelism" - Positive Thinking and Preaching and the Promise Keepers. This is what it has come to folks! They are like the pleasure-seeking widows of First Timothy 5:6, "she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." They give the appearance of life, they throw in a little recreation, programs that cater to people's wants, and a little "praise concert" so people can leave with a feel good religious feeling. Many church services have become little more than a "tip of the hat" to God. Many preachers, like Demas, have forsaken Paul (2 Tim. 4:9).

Thirdly It takes a special kind of preacher a preacher who is a good wants and desires and them becomes a "man pleaser" by feeding the congregation what they want and not what they need. Both he and the congregation become seekers of "gain" - not necessarily monetary gain though that is not excluded. It may be a search for popularity, reputation, large crowds, a following or a beautiful, elegant, opulent edifice.

I am not going to name the names of those individuals or organizations that I am about to quote. My reason is, that in the past when I have done that, it accomplished little, other than to have their friends and followers rise up to defend or excuse them rather than pay attention to what was said. So, no names will be given except I will say that these are prominent and popular preachers and leaders in the present evangelical circles. Pay attention. Ask yourself, is this evidence that we are in the "last days, " about which we have been warned?

Subject: "Are Good People Lost? "
"There are people following their religions who are absolutely sincere because they are loyal to their own people, but they are not ready to hear the gospel. I cannot believe that a loving God would not plan some way of salvation for these people."

Christian College Professor and Author:

Subject: "Can a Man Relate to God the Father and Leave Jesus Out of the Picture? "
"Some devout Muslims I know would never dare to call God Father, but the quality of their lives hardly suggests that they have no relationship to Him."

Subject: "Are Pagans Lost? "
"I used to believe that pagans in far-off countries were lost - were going to hell - if they did not hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached to them. I no longer believe that...I believe that there are other ways of recognizing the existence of God - through nature, for instance - and plenty of other opportunities; therefore, of saying 'yes' to God. I am far more tolerant of other kinds of Christians than I once was. My contact with Catholic, Lutheran and other leaders - people far removed from my own Southern Baptist tradition - has helped me, hopefully to move in the right direction. I've found my beliefs are essentially the same as those of the Orthodox Roman Catholics...We only differ on some matters of later church traditions."

Subject: "Is the Bible the Inerrant Word of God? "

"The Bible is not always to be taken literally in its statements concerning matters of science, historical reporting, etc. There are errors which cannot be explained by the original autographs. It is simply not historically feasible to say that errors would disappear if we had the autographs."

Super, Mega-church Strategist, Author and Pastor:

Subject: "Separation from Worldliness "

"Don't try to tell me that the Bible requires holiness and a style for worship and ministry that is different from that of the world!...Thank you, God, that there is a movement, a stealth movement, that's flying beneath the radar, that's changing literally hundreds, even thousands of churches around the world!"

Subject: "Ecclesiastical Separation"

"I have come to the conviction that Martin Luther made a mistake. He should have never left the Roman Catholic Church. I am eradicating the word 'Protestant' out of my vocabulary. I am not protesting anything. It is time for Catholics and non Catholics to come together."

Subject: "Ecumenical Evangelism "
"We have a plan...Baptists...Lutherans...Roman Catholics - we've been divided but now we're being reunited. Nobody can go out there without the same plan...every man connected to a church; every church connected with each other!"

Are not these quotes properly diagnosed as evidence that the "Itching Ear Virus " is at epidemic levels in much of the Christian community? The church is spiritually anemic and growing weaker. These teachers become what the Apostle Paul calls the "unruly and vain talkers and deceivers" to achieve their end (Titus 1 :10). These preachers are especially guilty. They were given a charge to feed the sheep, not to fleece them. They were to "guard" the "precious deposit" of pure doctrine. For them, Paulhas these words of condemnation: "If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmising, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness. from such withdraw thyself" (I Tim. 6:3-5).

Doctrine is the foundation for the Christian life (Titus 2:12). Everything about the execution of living a life pleasing to the Lord is built upon it. (Note...how the relationship between doctrine and godliness is concentrated in the Pastoral Epistles more than in any other area of Scripture.) We can't have right living without right doctrine.

Sure, Bible-believing, Bible-preaching, fundamentalist, "Grace" preachers, believers and churches ought to be excited and want to grow and prosper. Who does not want to reach more people, draw a larger crowd or be more effective in ministry? But, first things must be first -- first right doctrine, and then right living. Sound doctrine, separation from the world and uncompromising philosophies of ministry are essential in order for the practical side of the Christian life to be full, complete, fruitful, fulfilling and glorifying to God.

The practical side of life and its enjoyment is important and deserves o be emphasized - Yes it was God's design that we should be lived to the fullest. Life's too short not to be so lived. It was our Lord Jesus Christ who said that He had come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly (John 10:10). The problem comes when the foundation is supplanted by a faulty one.

This article appeared in the Nov/Dec '98 issue of Truth Aflame, which is a printed ministry of Bible Docrines To Live By. They have graciously granted me permission to reprint it.