IV. “isms” Flashcards
IV. Briefly describe the essential characteristics, and refute from Scripture, the following “isms”
Pantheism
That God is in all things and all things are an embodiment of God.
Colossians 1:16 For by him all things were created through him and for him.
Creation serves to glorify Jesus. Creation is not Jesus—it is not God. But creation does reveal the character of God as the art reveals the nature of the artist. But it is not the artist.
Antinomianism
The idea that following faith in Jesus,. We are no longer obligated to keep the moral law.
Romans 6:2 Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin live in it still?
We have been given life and freedom—we use that life and freedom not to seek slavery and death but freedom in obedience and life in fulfilling the law.
Legalism
that we might be saved by works of the law.
By works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:16
Our works are a reflection of the grace we have already found in Jesus. We work not to be right with God but to love, enjoy, and glorify him who already saved us by grace in Jesus.
Liberalism
The application of modernism, science, and reason to Christianity. Denying the historicity of Jesus—miracles, and the essential orthodox doctrine in the name of progress, relevance and modern advancement.
If Christ has not raised then your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. 1 Corinthians 15:17.
2 Peter 1:16 For we did not follow cleverly devised myth but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
Romanism
Tradition over Scripture. Aristotelian philosophy joined with Christianity.
Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive to philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
In Romanism, there is a movement away from Scripture, which centers of the Jesus and his fulfilled work and focuses on empty tradition, aestheticism, and human philosophy. Romanism contains a certain Gnosticism that fundamentally disagrees with the book of Colossians as a whole.
Perfectionism
The idea that we can, in this life, be so perfectly sanctified that we can be without any actual sins.
If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. 1 John 1:10
Phil 3:12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.
If Paul, who is far more Godly that most, who saw the resurrected Jesus, was taught by him in the desert, was persecuted and endured, was the author of much of the NT wasn’t perfect. We wait until the resurrection to be perfected in glory. Anyone who says otherwise isn’t taking the law and its requirements seriously. To joyfully obey for the sheer enjoyment of God and pleasure of glorifying him filled with the spirit without any pride, self-seeking, or independence. That’s perfection.
Arminianism
The conditionality of election and eternal security. Prevenient, resistible grace for all, which some freely receive and other freely reject. Romans 9:16-19 So then it depends not on human will or exertion, but on God, who has mercy…But you will say to me then “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” It is God who will salvation, not man.
Dispensationalism
Non covenantal interpretive framework dividing the means of God’s interactions with humanity into various periods, distinguishing between the salvation of Israel and the church.
Luke 24:45-49 Then he open their minds to understand the Scriptures sand said to them thus it is written that the Christ should suffer on the third day an rise from the dead and repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name.
One story of Jesus. No salvation outside of Jesus and he is all in all, leaving no one who belongs to God, but not to Jesus or the church.
Annihilationism
The belief that the souls of unbelievers are annihilated, not punished for eternity.
Revelation 14:11 (speaking of those with the mark of the beast) And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night.
Asceticism
The idea that there is greater holiness in denying oneself, in suffering, and avoiding the outward things that might “corrupt” the soul.
it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.”
Matthew 15:11
Outward things do not corrupt the heart, but the heart is what is corrupt and can make evil good things.
Hedonism
The idea that freedom in Christ is simply freedom to indulge in worldly pleasure.
Phil 3:19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly and their glory is their shame, with minds set on earth.
The Hedonist is still under slavery to their desires and often to sin. Freedom is to find greater pleasure in worshiping Jesus that in indulging worldly pleasures.
Racism
The idea that come races are superior to others.
1 Corinthians 12:13 For in one spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews and Greeks–slaves and free.
Individualism
In contrast to communal understanding—that the Christian life can be lived as individuals in personal relationship with God without community or the church.
1 Cor 12:12 “For just as the body is one and has many members, and the all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.“
We, in being united to Christ, are in trun united to one another. Awe depend upon others in the body an collectively pursue him, even as we individually put our faith in Jesus and pursue him.
Relativism
the idea that there are no objective, external standards for truths or morality.
John 17:17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life.
At the heart of relativism is a rejection of truth because of perspective—but if there is one who has a perfect view—understand and knowing all thing and revealed it through his word—and through the person of Jesus Christ, then relativism no longer stands.
Paedocommunion
The idea that infants are to receive the Lord’s Supper.
1 Cor 11:29 For anyone who eats and drink without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself.
There is a call to discern the blood and body—to come to the Lord’s Supper in faith.
