“…and the Greatest of These is Doctrine!”
I’m not sure where the above stated verse is located, but it must be in there somewhere, given the passion generated by those who live by it
I DO know where this is located, “So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” It’s in 1 Corinthians 13:13, right after these words, “Now I know in part; then I shall know fully…” – 1 Corinthians 13:12. Somewhere else Paul says “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know.” – 1 Corinthians 8:1-2.
Seems to me that Paul is a bit suspect of the “doctrinal warrior” attitude if it displaces the chief grace of love. But then, I might be wrong.
While we should have nothing but respect for our rich Reformed theological heritage, modern-day Reformed theoreticalism on the other hand, can tend towards a brutal, abusive religious intolerance. The tendency to icy lovelessness for the sake of being “right” seems closer to Islam than to Jesus. The use of scripture, “correct” dogma and self-authorization as a tool of power and control while sidestepping the dictates of love is to minimize that which God maximizes.
I understand that ideology has consequences, and that true love must flow from true understanding rather than from squishy sentimentalism, but when love is absent or self-serving, it reduces all things to the intolerable din of “a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.” – 1 Corinthians 13:1.
Something to think about…
The Edge of the Wilderness 