Orthodox View

Confusing Teaching

The Bible is the Word of God

The Bible contains the Word of God

The Bible has been perfectly preserved - we have God's Words

We are just now finding God's Words through textual criticism

The canon is complete - the Bible is finished

Prophets or prophetesses give us yet more revelation

A prophet gives God's very words and prophets no longer exist today

Redefines definition of a prophet to just being a good Bible teacher

Salvation is by simple faith alone, not by works

Lordship Salvation is required, adding works to saving faith

I do the believing - my Saviour does the saving

Saying a prayer without admitting one's sin will save (Easy Believism)

The fundamentals of the faith are necessary for fellowship

Cast aside the basics of the faith for the sake of unity

The gift of tongues (languages) ceased by the time the Bible was written

Tongues may be for today (perhaps for mission work in another language)

The Authorized Version is God's Word in English

God inspired the Authorized Version (Ruckman view)

The Bible is sufficient for my mindset and my behavior

Psychological counseling is needed since the Bible does not fully help

Bible-trusting pastors & friends help one another with life's problems

Reformed counseling must be added to conquer sinful habits (Jay Adams)

Jesus Christ died for all - we must tell everyone in the world

Christ did not die for every person in the world (Reformed doctrine)

We recognize the universal Church which is the body & bride of Christ

Only our church is valid - the only bride of Christ (Landmarkism severely limits communion and only acknowledges baptisms done in their church)

Stays true to the traditional/preserved original languages

Uses varying texts based upon the Westcott & Hort hypothesis

Uses Christ-honoring sacred music unlike the world

Blends traditional and worldly music or uses worldly music only

Understands the believer's identification with Christ - in Christ

Looks to methods or programs for self-sanctification (addiction groups etc.)

I am crucified with Christ - I have already died with Christ (positional truth)

I die daily - I must crucify myself and my sinful nature (denial of position)

The local church is God's program for leadership training & missions

Mission agencies, seminary, Bible college, societies are more important than church - The church takes a back seat to parachurch ministries

Believes God created everything in six literal days

God used a great amount of time to create - Gap Theory, Day-Age Theory

I wear my Sunday best to honor God and show him reverence

I dress the way I want, usually casual and trendy (disrespectful)

Mount Calvary is the only altar of sacrifice I claim

I go to a pagan rock altar of sacrifice to help me

Prayer meeting is faithfully attended and cherished

Contemplative prayer is what we need to get into

The Dispensation of Grace began in Acts 2 with the Spirit's baptism

The Dispensation of Grace began later with Paul (Hyperdispensationalism)

The Dispensation of Grace could not begin until after Christ shed his blood, was resurrected, and ascended into heaven to send the Spirit

The Dispensation of Grace began with Christ's earthly ministry (Hypodispensationalism)

There are at least three Dispensations - Law, Grace, and the Kingdom

There are only the Old Dispensation and the New Dispensation

Israel and the Church are two different groups with distinct programs

The Church has replaced Israel - The Church is spiritual Israel

The first covenant named in Scripture is with Noah

The Covenants of Works and Grace predetermine our beliefs

Noah escaped a world-wide flood - only eight survived

The flood in Noah's day was only local - he didn't need to build an ark

Jesus Christ is the eternal Son of God

Jesus Christ became the Son at the incarnation or at some other time

Christ's blood is required for our salvation

Christ's death is only necessary, not his blood

Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man

Jesus Christ is God but not man - Or - he is man but not God

Jesus Christ will return before he sets up his Kingdom on Earth

We are in the Kingdom now - we are building the Kingdom (without the King even being physically present on Earth)

The Kingdom has a real King (Jesus), real estate (the land of Israel), a people (saved Jews & Gentiles), a capital (Jerusalem), & a throne (seated in Jerusalem)

The Kingdom is only spiritual and not physical - the Jews were mistaken when they were expecting a literal Messiah to rule in Jerusalem over Israel

God is in control of all things - the sovereign Lord actually is sovereign

God does not know the future - we need to have an open view of God

The lost are responsible to believe in the Lord for salvation

The lost cannot believe until regenerated (saved prior to salvation)

Those saved are eternally secure - we have a perfect saviour

Those saved may become unsaved - our saviour can't keep us safe

Water Baptism shows that a believer is one who trusts his Lord

Water baptism saves - The blood of Christ is not enough

The Lord could come for his Church at any moment

The Lord will pour out his wrath upon his beloved Church

If it is God's will, I may be healed from this sickness or disease

It is God's will for you to be healthy all of the time

If I work hard and God blesses then I might enjoy material blessings

It is God's will that every Christian be rich and wealthy in this life

God's honor and glory determine what I can do and how I do it

Reaching the lost by any means possible is our top priority

Success means obeying God's written Word at all times

Success means a big church, a big building, and a big budget

God has reserved the roles of Pastor and Deacon for men only

Women may teach the Bible to men in some situations if they are called

Hell is a literal place of never-ending fire and torment for Christ-rejecters

A loving God wouldn't send anyone to hell

I should be careful to abstain from all appearance of evil

I can have a beer if I want to - who are you to judge me?

I am careful not to forsake the assembling with other Christians

Let's cut back our church services so we won't bother busy families