shadmans Musings  

After letting the Colossians know in verses 1 through 3 about his love for them, and his heart-felt desire to see them come to a full and complete understanding of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Paul then encourages them to never allow anyone to deceive them about what they have in Christ. He reminds them that he is always with them in spirit, and he is always concerned for their well being, their maturity in Christ. This is an encouragement that we all should have with each other as we pray for each other and encourage each other in our daily lives. All that happens to us in our lives is meant to mature us in Christ. So, as brothers and sisters in Christ, we should always have the heart of Paul, as we see here in Colossians, and look for opportunities to encourage and strengthen each other. The Methods of the False Teachers I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your g...

The previous Sola Scriptura blog was on a couple of church fathers whom I do not like because of the destructive allegorical biblical interpretation methodology they introduced into the church, but as we begin part 23, we come to one of the most beloved and arguably the greatest preacher of the early Greek church fathers, John Chrysostom. As you will remember from my previous blogs, I have been building a firewall between the Apostles and the later church fathers to show that the current Catholic concept of ‘tradition’ simply did not exist in the early church. In my last blog, that firewall was extended into the early 4th century, as I continued to strengthen it against any mention of a modern day concept of ‘tradition.’ And remember, the tradition I’m talking about is the unwritten body of oral teachings that comprise ‘sacred tradition’ and that were supposedly handed down by the Apostles to the modern day Catholic Church, and that are co-equal in authority with Scripture. Thus far, ...

From my perspective, my last two blogs have created what one could call a ‘firewall’ between the Apostles and the later 3rd century church fathers of about 200 to 250 years where there is no mention of ‘tradition’ as would be understood by modern day Catholicism. By firewall I mean a gap between the Apostles and the first mention of something that could be construed as the type of ‘tradition’ modern day Catholicism says they believe in. So far in my Sola Scriptura series we have seen how the word ‘tradition’ has been used by the early church fathers and it is quite different from how it is being used today as it has had nothing to do with unwritten oral teachings co-equal in authority with the Scriptures. But it also has to be acknowledged that much of the early church writings have been lost through the centuries to wars, accidents, actual usage and purposeful destruction. What survived, though, does not support the modern day concept of ‘tradition.’ As I begin part 22 of this series,...

(1) For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, (2) that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, (3) in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (4) I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. (5) For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (6) Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, (7) having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. (2:1-7) As chapter 2 begins, chapter 1 has already introduced the two great hal...