Observation: Paul's first letter to Timothy begins as a commission for his ministry, and that commission is to intervene is some of the false teachings occurring in the church. These teachings are described as false doctrine, myths, genealogy study, meaningless talk, and improper use of the law. In other words, church leaders have taken the Jewish scriptures, and either misapplied them or taken them to extremes, adding to them non-bibilical concepts, and are using them in combination to "teach" non-Jewish Christians about proper living.
Paul is clear ... this type of teaching - especially this teaching done by people who they themselves don't really know scripture - must be stopped. Furthermore, the teaching done by 'leaders' who do know scripture but then misapply it, adding in concepts and intermixing it with myth to appeal to Greek educated believers, is even more dangerous, as it takes on the air of authority. While many sources exist that, based on close study and understanding of the issues, have a good idea what was being taught in Ephesus, the real point in Paul's letter isn't to combat those ideas, but just to give Timothy the confidence and authority to stop it, because such activities actually harm the faith of believers.
Application: We just got through a period of time where the world ... didn't end. Once again. And while I agree that, when Jesus returns, there is logic that it will happen during the Jewish celebration of Rosh Hashanah, understanding that logic is far different than declaring and teaching, with prophetic authority, that it will happen. This is the very definition of ... controversial speculation, which as Paul says interferes with advancing God's work.
Likewise, there has existed for some time - and continues today - all other sorts of teaching and prophesy being declared by very popular Christian leaders. These messages discuss the relationship between bibilical information and current events, interrelated modern social concepts with theological principles, and delve into concepts like (for example) discussions of the Nephilim in the Old Testament being related to modern-day extraterrestrial sightings.
Everything I just said ... sounds a lot like what Timothy was instructed to stop. It is church 'leaders' using parts of scripture, parts of myth, and parts of social norms, to create "meaningless talk", to "confidently affirm" concepts that they don't really know about, to make controversial speculations, and to distract the Church from its purpose, which is serving Jesus through love and faith.
And I'm sick of it. I truly wish the Lord would strike those false teachers ... not just show them they're wrong, but take action upon them. Okay ... maybe I don't truly wish that, for in their hearts they are faithful believers who are just making a mistake, and the Lord knows my mistakes are far worse. However, this activity needs to stop. They are, as Jesus said, the great number of false prophets rising up to say 'here I am' and 'look over here', creating meaning talk that distracts and undermines the Church.
Who will the Lord send to stop them?
Prayer: Lord, I strive not to judge these people, and please forgive me if my words do judge them. Right or wrong, I have no right to do so. However, please help all of us, your faithful Church, know how to filter out the meaningless talk, ignore the false teachers, set aside the myths mixed with scriptural references, and focus on you, on Jesus, on love, on hope, and on your great commission. Amen.
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