Having discussed our obligation to defend the gospel and expose error, we want to look at what it means to oppose doctrinal error. The Sword and Trumpet aims to expose and to oppose doctrinal error. It is vital that we clearly define current errors, compare them to Scripture, and warn others by publicly identifying the error and its sources. But that’s only one part of gospel faithfulness. It’s not enough to identify the problem; it needs to be actively opposed.
In 2 Corinthians 10, the apostle Paul describes how he opposes false teaching. “The weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (vv. 4-5). This is true spiritual warfare.
Paul wrote 2 Corinthians largely to defend his authority as a Christ-appointed apostle. In the verses preceding those quoted above, Paul responds to the accusation that he is not as bold as he ought to be as an apostle. Certain “super-apostles” had infiltrated the Corinthian church, seeking to assert their own authority and push Paul out. It seems they were dynamic leaders, leading by force of personality. Paul, by contrast, was “lowly” while among them. Apparently some thought this was a sign of weakness. Paul responds by saying, “though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.” Personality-driven leadership is fleshly. In contrast, Paul led by proclaiming the truth. He conducted spiritual warfare, not by impressive speech or dynamic leadership but by the “manifestation of the truth” (2 Cor. 4:2).
Paul’s spiritual warfare includes several components which he lists in vv. 4-5:
- Pulling down strongholds
- Tearing down arguments
- Tearing down every high thing raised against the knowledge of God
- Taking every thought captive to make it obey Christ
Each of these helps us understand how we ought to oppose error. This focuses our attention on the specific issues which are central to spiritual warfare.
Strongholds
Paul speaks of pulling down strongholds. “Strongholds” here refers to systems of thought built in opposition to the gospel. This describes more than a few errant ideas. Rather, this is an entire system of belief that is built as a rival to gospel truth. In our day, this could be other un-Christian religions (Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.) or perverted Christian religions (Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses). Or, as in Paul’s day, it could be something that presents as authentic Christianity and appears genuine in some areas, but is in fact contrary to the truth.
Paul faced those who were redefining apostolic authority, claiming they were themselves invested with divine authority though they were not called by Christ to that task. Paul, as a true witness to Christ, was obligated to defend his own apostleship for the sake of the gospel. It was an issue of authority, an issue at the very bedrock of the gospel. These false apostles laid another foundation, building a “stronghold” which was opposed to the true gospel. They asserted their own authority against the authority of Christ’s chosen apostles.
The issue of biblical authority is not merely relegated to the first century church. It has always been relevant. The central question is, “Who or what defines the truth?” Is the true gospel defined by God’s revelation through His appointed representatives, or can it be reinvented by others who claim divine authority? This is a war between the Bible’s authority and every other truth claim. Will we live in full submission to the Word of God, or will we incorporate other authorities alongside or above it? How we answer this question will define how we think about everything else.
Paul opposed the strongholds (systems of thought) which threatened the true gospel. Sadly, there are many such structures even within conservative Anabaptism—systems of thought that are internally consistent and overlap with Scripture in some areas yet are not in harmony with the true gospel.
We see an example of this in the tendency of many to turn the commands of Christ into a law which must be kept in order to be saved rather than seeing them as a guide for those who have been saved. It is commonly thought that we must do certain things in order to earn or keep God’s favor, and that we cannot be sure of God’s love and acceptance until we keep those things. At times this “law” is based on biblical commands; other times it is based on fabricated standards. In any case, when we make obedience a prerequisite for salvation, we distort the gospel. Biblically, obedience is the fruit of salvation. Yes, believers must obey Christ, but not to earn His favor. We obey because He has already accepted us, adopting us into His family. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).
Rival systems which compromise this gospel must be “pulled down.” In the following editorial we will look more closely at Paul’s approach to spiritual warfare.