Where Will Doctrine Take You?
1 Timothy 6:17-19
Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy.
[Instruct them] to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.
Most of us have no idea who Lyman Stewart was.
One of the richest men of the late 19th and early 20th centuries; he used vast sums of his wealth to start BIOLA (Bible Institute of Los Angeles) and to fund one of the most influential evangelical publishing ventures of all times: The Fundamentals.
Seeing the erosion of Biblical Christianity by secular humanism, Darwinism and higher criticism; Lyman was distraught and believed something needed to be done to turn the tide. Speaking with A.C. Dixon, a well-known Baptist preacher, they decided on a full scale defense of the core evangelical doctrines. They did so under the title: The Fundamentals.
By Fundamental they meant “the core” or “that which is foundational to”. Looking at Scripture they identified 9 doctrines that they believed were core to being a Christian. They then identified a wide spectrum of scholarly men from various denominations and set them to writing. Men like R.A. Torrey, William Eerdman and Sir Robert Anderson put pen to paper to defend the basics of the faith. They produced 12 volumes with 90 essays and due to Lyman’s infusion of cash gave them to thousands of Pastor’s, preachers and seminary professors. God used the endeavor to launch what we know today as the “evangelical movement” in America.
Today we continue our study on the importance of being committed to sound doctrine. Paul continues to identify the reason why sound doctrine is so important to the church. We also need to think about what the core doctrines of Christianity are. Do we hold to them? Are we defending them?
As we study today, let’s thank God for faithful men of the past who stood for the faith and let us commit ourselves to be faithful in our present age.
Because of grace,
Tim
