C&CW Ep. 24 - Terms: Liberty of Conscience
July 5, 2021โข771 words
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Coffee & Christian Worldview
Episode 24
Show Notes:
Defining "Liberty of Conscience"
Westminster Confession of Faith 20.2:
God alone is Lord of the conscience, and hath left it free from the doctrines and commandments of men, which are, in anything, contrary to his Word; or beside it, if matters of faith, or worship. So that, to believe such doctrines, or to obey such commands, out of conscience, is to betray true liberty of conscience: and the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also.
No human being or institution has authority over your conscience.
God alone does, and rules it through his Word.
The conscience is free from doctrines (what to believe) and commandments that are contrary to the Wordโand also, beside it, as in additional to itโin matters of faith and worship.
To believe in extra doctrines or submit to extra commandments, we betray true liberty of conscience.
The opposite of liberty is slavery.
Q. 105. What are the sins forbidden in the first commandment?
A. . . making men the lords of our faith and conscience.
"Making Men Lords" (http://www.discipleshipphilippines.org/making-men-lords/)
This is in direct opposition to Roman Catholicism, which requires implicit faith. This doctrine is central to the Protestant Reformation.
The Apostle Paul circumcised Timothy for prudence. But refused to have Titus circumcised, because false brothers believed it was required for salvation.
Galatians 2:3โ5
But not even Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
But this was because of the false brothers secretly brought in, who had sneaked in to spy out our freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us.
But we did not yield in subjection to them for even a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.
John Gerstner:
"I will not be obedient to you, the denomination, to Caesar, but only to my Lord Jesus."
"If we [denomination] ever put our doctrines or practices on the same level as Scripture, it must be refused."
But won't people go crazy you tell them they are free?
There is a Lord and a Law. God is Lord, and he rules the conscience by the Word.
Denominations and local churches have tried to violate liberty of conscience.
Colossians 2:20โ23
โDo not handle, nor taste, nor touchโ
The forbidding of marriage is a popular one, in our context.
1 Timothy 4:1โ3
But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience, who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God created to be shared in with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.
No church, no authority can forbid what God allows. Marriage, foods, alcohol consumption. It violates liberty of conscience and God's Lordship over us.
They attempt to put themselves on God's throne and be lord over your conscience.
WCF 20.2: "the requiring of an implicit faith, and an absolute and blind obedience, is to destroy liberty of conscience, and reason also."
The Church of Rome requires implicit faith to everything the church teachesโand anything they might require in the future.
This continuing revelation is in common with any cult that denies the closed Canon of Scripture.
Our job is not to change your mind, but to tell you the truth. You have a conscience. Look into the Word and let God change your mind.
"The Holy Spirit is not enough." The Word of God is not sufficient. That's the attitude of every legalist.
If God's Word is the only rule for faith and life, then it is enough. God gave us a Bible that doesn't need to be added to.
Legalists think the Bible and the Holy Spirit sanctifying you is not enoughโyou need more rules.
The church has no authority to create doctrines or practices. It can only enforce what God says.
Within liberty, it's your choice. You can partake, or not partake. It's up to you.
A subtle attack on liberty: "Do you have to do that?"
Answer: I don't have to do anything. I don't need a special reason to do what is allowed, what I am free to do.
Freedomโyou may, or may not. You don't have to defend it.
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