While I think it is true that we can learn truth through these methods, I don't see this as limited to these methods. Moreover, I think this statement belies the Biblical view. It is from this kind of thinking that some in the Evangelical camp conclude that those that follow other methodology or simply question these traditional methods cannot possibly be seeking the truth. Ask yourself where God in Scripture prescribed the method for imparting His truth as limited to the traditions we have built up in our Church communities.
Unlike the 'new' thinkers, I'm not aligned to tossing out our traditions yet I see that traditional thinkers have shifted from upholding Biblical truth to upholding their tradition. They talk about truth but as you penetrate the concern you find it is more about the tradition.
What about you? Are you seeking the Truth? Or are you focused on your tradition? It is easy to confuse the two. I have even found non-tradition to be a tradition. It's amazing how fast we can get caught up in our methodology and our liturgy and lose sight of Who we really intended to pursue.
The writer compounds his shortcoming with this.
The next practical phase of our training in righteousness comes in our daily lives as we interact with people and ideas of the world and occasionally need to confront error.
He continues but his focus is confronting others.
This speaks volumes about the group it represents. The purpose and/or next step of growing in truth is to confront error? Interesting because that fits exactly their behavior and I don't think matches the record of Scripture. I would have suggested that equally or more than this would be to know the Giver of Truth or perhaps to demonstrate His heart toward the poor and spiritually poor of the world or any number of things along this line.
So while I would say that a necessary part of our spiritual growth comes through the testing of our faith and part of that will be against challenges of the truth, I would not have called that out as primary or at least without mentioning the many other expressions required to develop that truth within oneself.
Reading these few phrases helped me better understand the well dressed yet incorrect teaching that drives so many of our brethren as they passionately fight for their version of truth. The bottom line is that they have a different view of Scripture and its purpose. I don't think it is completely wrong but it certainly is incomplete - and it's logical conclusion is ugly.
Again, what about you? Are you able to find God's Truth wherever He may appear or have you limited where and how He can show up? When you find truth, do you find it for the purpose of knowing Him better or do you find it to have a better weapon against those that do not conform to your patterns?
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