Morning Moments

SOUND DOCTRINE OR TEACHING


When we speak of SOUND teaching, we need to understand what the word means in the Scripture.  Consider:



Classical Greek
Hugiainō means “to be physically or mentally healthy or sound.” The idea of “soundness” extended into other realms as well. For example, in a figurative sense “soundness” could refer to being “sound” in political or religious matters (Liddell-Scott). Hugiainō frequently occurs in the opening and closing of personal letters. As a closure it virtually means “good-bye” (Moulton-Milligan). 


Septuagint Usage
The numerous occurrences of hugiainō in the Septuagint provide an interesting picture. First, of the 12 canonical appearances, all except 1 are replacements for the Hebrew word shālôm (often “Peace!” or “Well-being!” as a greeting). But, counting all the readings of Codex Sinaiticus and including a noncanonical reading in Job (24:23), there are 41 instances of hugiainō (e.g., Tobit 5:15,16,20; 7:1). Second, virtually all of the instances of hugiainō occur in a form of greeting or salutation in the canonical material (e.g., Jacob’s inquiry of Laban’s health [Genesis 29:6]; cf. 37:14; 43:27f.; cf. Jethro’s wishing Moses “well” [Exodus 4:18]; 1 Samuel 25:6 [ LXX 1 Kings 25:6]). The idea includes not only a wish for good physical health, it also includes a wish for general well-being (as conveyed by the Hebrew shālôm; e.g., Proverbs 13:13; Daniel 10:19). 


New Testament Usage
The understanding of hugiainō in the New Testament is a curious mixture of literal and figurative. When Jesus insisted that “those who are well (hoi hugianontes) have no need of a physician” (RSV), Luke was obviously using it in the literal sense within the metaphor but in the figurative sense overall (Luke 5:31). Its use is literal in Luke 7:10 and 15:27 (of the prodigal who returns “safe and sound”). In 3 John (verse 2) hugiainō occurs in the greeting of the letter (a typical prayer-wish for the recipient’s good health). 


When we reach the Pastoral Epistles, however, hugiainō acquires a figurative sense which reflects the dire circumstances confronting the Pauline churches. Here Paul cautioned against those who falsely teach things contrary to “sound doctrine.” This sound doctrine—the gospel of Jesus Christ— was under attack by the “sick” teachings of the false teachers (cf. 2 Timothy 2:17 which describes the doctrine of false teachers that spreads “like gangrene”; see also 1 Timothy 1:10; 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9,13; 2:1,2). Thus in the Pastoral Epistles hugiainō especially refers to the “soundness” of the gospel in contrast to the false doctrines taught by others. (On this word as well as other terminology see Malherbe, “Medical Imagery in the Pastoral Epistles,” pp.19-35.)


*  Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary, The - The Complete Biblical Library Greek-English Dictionary – Sigma-Omega.


We can see from this information that whatever we teach or speak should be CONSTRUCTIVE and not DESTRUCTIVE for the health of the BODY OF CHRIST!  So, we may conclude that sound teaching does not leave the BODY lame, limp, or lessened, but rather edified, encouraged, and energized.


My point is that there are many OTHER things taught in the Scripture that are helpful and needful to and for us, but that we COULD live without.  Let me use a classic example from the early Church.


The widows and orphans were being neglected because the body had grown so fast and the apostles could not attend to them all, so "deacons" were chosen and appointed for that purpose.  Since that time "deacons" have become almost anything BUT servants, from a grievance committee to a "board" of directors.  This is definitely a distortion and perversion of the purpose and intent of that ministry.


Another thing was that the early Church initially sought to have "all things common" so they sold everything combined it and shared it as was needed, so to speak.  That did not work because of Ananias and Saphira and their deceit.


There are other truths taught by the Apostle Paul as the Apostle to the Gentiles regarding the need for discipline, duty, and devotion that are TRUTHS to be taught.  BUT what we are referring to in these studies is that through the years, as well as in the early Church, the teachings of men not inspired of God became equal to or more important than the TRUTHS which were a part of the SOUND DOCTRINE of the Church and those are the things that have divided the Body of Christ, rather than uniting it.


Some of those things we hold dear, and are afforded the privilege of doing so, but NOT at the expense of the BODY!  We have referred to these things as "just your interpretation".  Often the things that we cling so tenaciously to, are not a matter of proper interpretation at all, but a matter of OPINION!  Therein lies the problem!  There are other things that the Scripture may not be DOGMATIC about that we or those we follow become DOGMATIC about and they divide the Body.


A simple example of that is "foot washing" which was NEVER to be considered a DOCTRINE of the Church, but a simple example of humility, service, and hospitality.  Yet someone comes along and insists that everybody needs to do it and it should be a part of the SOUND DOCTRINE of the Church.  There are many such examples and every denomination has them.  Some matter more than others and some cause greater division in the body than others.


My point is that if we sought to major on the majors and minor on the minors, as DID the early Church, we would not need a "church on every corner" with somebodies name written on it.


THINK ABOUT IT!


BLESSINGS!