WHEREAS the pressure to blend with the world in personal life, and to compromise with new evangelical trends in thought, music, and fellowship is increasing as we approach the end of the age; and,
WHEREAS the doctrine of separation is not perennial but must be repeatedly taught to each new generation and to the new attenders in our churches; and,
WHEREAS we cannot assume that our churches will continue with separatist convictions because we have taught the doctrine in the past; and,
WHEREAS the Ohio Bible Fellowship was born out of the background of separation from compromise and has been used of God to help others see the issues and obey the commands of the Word of God;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, the members and delegates of the Ohio Bible Fellowship, meeting January 13-14, 2006 in conference at the Morrow Bible Church, Centerburg, Ohio, remind ourselves and our readers of the necessity of constantly emphasizing to our congregations the biblical truth of separation, both personal and ecclesiastical; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we supplement our preaching with our bulletin boards, literature, the use of current events, and every other means the Lord may show us, to keep our people awake to the present dangers; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in our teaching of personal separation we identify the amusements, conduct, clothing, and music which needs to be forsaken; and, in our teaching of ecclesiastical separation, we name men, movements, missions, periodicals and radio outlets so that our people clearly understand where separation needs to occur; and,
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that we remind ourselves that the need for constant teaching will not go away, and that we must face the challenge in order that we “lose not those things which we have wrought” (II John 8).
“BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in our teaching of personal separation we identify the amusements, conduct, clothing, and music which needs to be forsaken;”
This is a dangerous statement as it takes the emphasis off individual discernment in areas of liberty and establishes ecclesiastical fiat in its place.
This is in direct violation to Romans 14:1 where we are commanded to stop judging (separating) over opinions. I would encourage faithful believers in the OBF to think seriously through the implications of this resolution. Teaching how to discern is one thing. Telling what to discern is quite another.
I understand your concern, Brian. If personal opinion is flaunted as dogma without Scriptural support, you would be correct.
However, the opposite can be equally dangerous. Have you ever seen sin disguised as liberty? I doubt that you would have a problem pointing out the problems involved with provocative clothing, flesh provoking music, physical involvement before marriage, and sexually explicit movies. These all fall under the sin of immorality and are not open for debate.
If individual discernment rebels against or is ignorant of Scriptural truth, should nothing be said because of Romans 14:1? I think not.
Right. I’m not calling for a “hands off” approach. I was just reacting to the language of the resolution, which did not seem to balance the issue well, IMO.
God gives us principles to live by. One is obviously separation from the world according to 1 John 2:15, and John 17. If we leave everything general, man is bent on following the flow. Principles by nature demand specific applications. Let’s take for instance child discipline. Scripture obviously teaches this, and then we have to make specific application as to when we practice discipline as parents and how we do it. Separation is no difference. God has given us the 4 roots from which to separate from – the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the world. Therefore, as we look at the world and evaluate the dress, music, videos, language, in light of these 4 roots that are against God, it is not complicated to make accurate application as to what to separate from. Let’s not be afraid to draw some lines in the sand. God’s name is at stake!