Truth Unites Does I Timothy 3:15 DEBUNK Protestantism?
Aug 20, 2024
Gavin Ortlund, President of Truth Unites and a theologian with a PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary, dives deep into I Timothy 3:15. He argues that Paul's message about the church as the "pillar and buttress of the truth" actually supports a Protestant interpretation rather than claims of infallibility. Exploring Greek terminology and early church history, he challenges the notion of ecclesial authority in the post-apostolic era. This discussion is not just theological; it seeks to strengthen gospel assurance in a modern context.
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Pillar and Buttress Explained
- 1 Timothy 3:15 calls the church the pillar and buttress of the truth, meaning it upholds and supports truth like pillars support a building.
- This metaphor emphasizes the church's stability and visibility but does not imply infallibility in doctrine or practice.
Early Church Language on Fallibility
- Early church usage of 'pillar and buttress' language applied to fallible people like Athanasius, showing no infallibility claim.
- This usage demonstrates that the metaphor doesn't imply an entity is incapable of error.
Guardianship Doesn't Imply Infallibility
- Similar Old Testament language was used by Pharisees to claim infallibility, which Jesus rebuked.
- Thus, being guardians or upholders of truth does not itself grant infallibility.