Publication Date
1991
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Biblical Studies | Comparative Methodologies and Theories | Ethics in Religion | History of Religions of Eastern Origins | History of Religions of Western Origin | Other Religion | Religion | Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion
Abstract
In spite of disagreement over what constitutes the biblical form of local church government, it is still normally assumed that all churches should have the same governmental structure and that the qualifications for a particular leadership position should be the same . . Such an approach pours all the major structure and qualification passages to the same mold, ignoring significant evidence for “flexibility” in regard to churches at different stages of growth. Particularly suggestive are variations between the supposed “twin” passages: 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and Titus 1:5-9. Careful consideration of the similarities and differences leads to the conclusion that it is preferable to allow for a moderate level of sensitive structural flexibility while still maintaining proper scriptural fidelity.
Recommended Citation
Luter, A. Boyd, "New Testament Church Government: Fidelity and Flexibility" (1991). Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary (1973-2015). 328.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/lts_fac_pubs/328
Included in
Biblical Studies Commons, Comparative Methodologies and Theories Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, History of Religions of Eastern Origins Commons, History of Religions of Western Origin Commons, Other Religion Commons, Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons
Comments
Published in the Michigan Theological Journal, 2.2 (1991) 126-137.