On the Shoulders of Giants
It’s amazing how the church has "evolved", grappling with the great truths of Scripture. It is fascinating that though the Holy Spirit is in the world and in us, we still have yet to attain to a perfect theology. He allows believers to wrestle through it all and this highlights the remarkable testimony to the patience and guidance of God. Heresy, though it has been a plague and foe to the church and will continue to be, serves a positive aspect. Heresy continues to drive the saints back into the Word. It keeps Christians on their toes and active in testing all things and bringing clarity to foggy areas. This process assists us in defining doctrines that need defining and redefining. Church history should be muddled with some early church Fathers differing in opinion and that is precisely what we see. We see the difference because we are dealing with imperfect men (though justified). Many from the past were intentional in their heresies however, I believe most were like us, men & women who are simply trying to grasp and be enlightened in the riches and wealth of God's enternal mind therein the written Word of God. We have come a long way despite the waves of theological liberals, who continually stir the mud of old heresies from the floors of histories theological waters. I would not want to be born at any other time in history provided the wealth of the past and what we now know in the clarity of many sacred doctrines we hold. Reading "The Confessions of St. Augustine" it appears that the climate of his culture was much like ours today. Do we think the bride of Christ is becoming more beautiful or do can we think that as the bride, we are consistently beautiful to Him because of His blood that covers us? If we were second or third century Christians it may be that we would have been erroneous in some of our thinking as true today. We see that church history traces the folly and mess ups of men, but if it wasn't for those errors and heresies of the unbelieving world, godly men would not have fought so stringently for orthodoxy. It is the errors and lies and the half-truths that drive us back to the Scriptures to figure out God's revealed intent. The Holy Spirit is the Great Clarifier and He does so in His own timing when men's hearts and minds are properly cultivated.
John 16:12 "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.
We now have such an abundance and vast wealth of Biblical knowledge that is afforded to us. Church history is grand because it is our history, and we find ourselves on the shoulders of giants such as Ignatius, Polycarp, Tertullian, Jerome, Augustine, Luther, Huss, Calvin, Zwingli, Spurgeon, Edwards, and the likes...for these are our brothers filled with the identical Sprit of God as we find ourselves today. Though not perfect, I'm pleased to stand upon them and learn from their insights and mistakes. They were men just like us whose hearts were changed by Christ, and all of them sought a heavenly home. Each passed through their generation with insights and depth of wisdom/insight granted by the Holy Spirit and we would be wise to take notice and apply history’s truth’s so diligently sought for. We can see more fully our Savior and have greater clarity and vision if we stand on the shoulders of giants, and be properly prepared for the constant attack of old heresies that resurface their ugly faces.
2 Tim. 2:7 (ESV)
Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.
Written by Jason Strange
Edited by his twin brother Max
