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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Quick takeaways
- The metaphor of the church as a 'pillar and buttress' in I Timothy 3:15 emphasizes supporting and presenting the truth of the Gospel rather than claiming infallibility.
- Historical references indicate that early church terminology surrounding pillars reflects fallible entities, challenging contemporary claims of ecclesial infallibility without further justification.
Deep dives
Understanding the Pillar and Buttress Language
The terms 'pillar and buttress' in 1 Timothy 3:15 are interpreted as symbols of support rather than indications of infallibility. Paul uses the Greek words 'stulos' for pillar and 'hedryoma' for buttress, which suggest that the church's role is to uphold and make visible the truth of the Gospel, much like physical pillars support a structure. This metaphor highlights two key implications: stability, suggesting a firm foundation in truth, and visibility, indicating the church's responsibility to publicly present this truth to the world. Ultimately, being a 'pillar and buttress' conveys the idea of supporting the truth without necessitating the belief that the church itself is infallible.
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