Some of the wisest counsel the apostle Paul ever gave the church was when he wrote “we do not dare to classify ourselves with some who commend themselves. When they measure themselves by themselves and compare themselves with themselves, they are not wise” (2 Corinthians 10:12, NIV). Do you comprehend what Paul was saying here? He was saying do not decide what is divine truth or true doctrine by asking yourself, “Did Matthew Henry believe this? Did Charles Haddon Spurgeon teach this? Did J.R. Graves or H.A. Ironside concur with this interpretation of scripture?” Why not? Because members of another denomination have their revered spiritual giants they, too, will cite as their authority for believing as they do. The Methodists have Charles and John Wesley and George Whitefield. The Presbyterians had Robert Lewis, James Thornwell, Charles Hodge and others. The Nazarene church has George Lyons, Benjamin Haynes and more. These highly respected men differed widely in the doctrines they accepted as divine truth. Thus, many of them had it wrong!
No one should ever ask themselves, “Did Donald Wiley see it this way” in deciding what scripture interpretation they are to believe. NEVER! Humans err and err greatly. Revered theologians can, and often do, have a good understanding of the scriptures. And a highly respected theologian or minister can also promote and proclaim diabolical error. God help us all to understand.
Christ’s Faithful Servant (Galatians 1:10-12),
Donald Wiley