Riding the hobby horse?
Why are so many Christians so obsessed with always arguing for their “hobby horse,” strongly promoting their “pet project,” and/or getting on their “soapbox”?
Why do many believers allow one doctrine, almost always a non-essential doctrine, so dominate their life?
9 Comments »
1. Comment by John Bender
Am I the only one who thought of The Breakfast Club immediately upon reading this question?
2. Comment by Leslie G
Hi John…yes. LOL.
3. Comment by Debbie
Greetings,
I think it is because we focus on one particular verse of Scripture instead of the “whole counsel of God.” “For it is precept upon precept, precept upon precept, line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” (ISA 28:10)
Although I am nothing but flesh, I really try to live by the following motto: “In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity.”
It always causes contention when a non-essential doctrine is promoted as an essential doctrine and an essential doctrine is declared false. God’s Word rings true throughout….if we for example were to remove the entire Book of John, the rest of Scripture would ring out concerning salvation by grace.
MARANATHA
4. Comment by Watchman
“Only what God has commanded in His word should be regarded as binding; in all else there may be liberty of actions.” – John Owen
5. Comment by Friend
What a great question! I don’t wear a headcovering and yet, when speaking with a friend, feel as though I am completely ignoring scripture and going against what God wants because of that. She won’t leave it alone and cites 1 Corinthians 10. Can I not cover my head, wear pants, and STILL be a follower of the Lord and love Him with all my heart? She’s on a constant quest to out-Christian me and to me, it’s not a contest. I’m sure from a psychological standpoint it’s to make herself feel better and superior, but from a religious standpoint, it’s quite a turnoff.
6. Comment by Friend
I’m sorry, it’s 1 Corinthians 11:10.
7. Comment by Dale Struska
Is there such a thing as a non-essential doctrine? If it’s not essential, why would God include it in His Word?
8. Comment by Brady
dear friend, direct ur friend to the rest of that Chapter….the power spoken of in verse 10 is the very one that woman was created for according to that chapter..man…in verse 10 its reiterating that woman she be under the power(authority) of man(her husband)…as for the covering..read verse 15…woman have been given a natural covering by God. 1 Corinthians 11:15
But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering.
9. Comment by Grandpa EC
Re: Comment 5–posted by “Friend”;
Perhaps this will be helpful to you —
–My much loved and greatly respected Mennonite and Amish friends feel that head coverings (in addition to long hair) is a very important part of God’s will for women; a reminder of their subordinate role. These coverings are worn in the home and whenever they appear in public.
Personally, I believe the specific issue Paul was addressing is identified in verse 5 of I Corinthians 11; that is, “And any woman who (publicly) prays or prophesies (teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes or comforts) when she is bareheaded dishonors her head (her husband); it is the same as (if her head were) shaved”–Amplified version).
–To people of that day, the covering gave testimony that she recognized the headship of her husband–although at that moment she was addressing the assembly (or leading in prayer) and her husband was silent.
–As a person who would someday “judge angels” (I Cor. 6:3) whose sin had been “keeping not their first estate…” (Jude, verse 6)–which I understand to have been attempting to elevate themselves above the rank God had assigned to them–this demonstration of her willing acceptance of her subordinate role was very important, for it would allow those angels (I Corinthians 11:10) no grounds for declaring her unfit to sit in judgment on them in that great day.
