Great article! But maybe you should have called it "Critiquing the Dorean Principle" instead, because you seem to agree with a lot of what he said.
One thing I would say, though, is that knowing the law is still important. If the Spirit has filled you, the flesh will be suppressed, and you will follow God’s path. To obey you must know the things that you’re supposed to be obeying.
If the Dorean Principle is a command, we should desire to know it and apply it if we are in the Spirit. This strong desire to know what God wants is shown very well in the Psalms. David says he desires God's law "greater also than honey."
But maybe that just emphasizes your point. The people who need the Dorean Principle the most are those who do not have the Spirit.
Sir, I deny that the article's title is in need of correction.
The "Dorean Principle" does not commend its teaching as a spiritual discipline (non binding), it attempts to bind every Christian to only a few (but definitely NOT all) of some highly contextual commands of Jesus for his apostles. This pick-and-choose attitude of the adherents to this principle is unfaithful to proper biblical interpretation and thus I have successful exposed the bad hermetic on which it is based, and so the whole argument collapses. Aka, refuted.
Hey Nate, enjoyed reading your take, but I’ve got some questions. You call the Dorean Principle a “rule” that won’t fix greedy hearts. What do you mean by “rule”? Owens seems to be suggesting a biblical ethic, not a law, based on verses like Matthew 10:8 and 1 Corinthians 9:18. He’s not claiming it cures greed. He’s saying ministries should share the gospel freely, like Paul did. How do you see those scriptures applying today?
Your point about greed being the real issue makes sense, but it feels like you’re sidestepping Owens’ argument. He’s not denying heart change is key. He’s talking about how ministries operate. If we say only hearts matter, does that mean charging huge amounts for sermons or books is fine as long as the minister’s heart is pure? That could hurt people, especially the poor, which James 2 warns against.
Also, if rules don’t matter because they can’t change hearts, why have any guidelines? Should we ditch preaching against lying or cheating? That doesn’t add up. You seem to imply preaching against greed is good, but isn’t that a “rule” too? Owens’ principle might not solve everything, but it’s grounded in Bible verses you don’t address. Why not tackle both—greed and how we fund ministry? What do you think?
I understand you were trying to be brief, but I feel that you have failed to refute anything. The reason "giving freely" is seen as a principle with ongoing relevance rather than just a one-off command is addressed at length in the Dorean Principle and elsewhere by the author. You have failed to address any other passages that support this principle and waved your hand at it as if that will make it go away. I don't mean to sound rude. I'm sure you are a genuine brother in the Lord, but if you want to refute this teaching, please try again.
The Luther insult generator did not disappoint - right on the money:
"As far as I have been able to see and hear, you have no argument but high-sounding words of sacrilege. Everyone ought properly to shun and avoid you as messengers of none other than the devil."
From Concerning Rebaptism, pg. 259 of Luther's Works, Vol. 40
Keith after re-reading your critique, I note that what you accuse me of ("failed to refute anything") is a 100% accurate description of your own comment.
You didn't actually refute anything I actually said, only questioned my salvation and used generalities to attack me. If I wished to respond in kind I would need to go to the Luther insult generator online because there's no content to your comment whatsoever - only baseless attacks on my character.
Sir you could not have been more condescending in your response. It's not really worthy of an actual line by line refutation because it underhandedly employs ad hominem. Thanks for taking the time to read the article I guess.
Great article! But maybe you should have called it "Critiquing the Dorean Principle" instead, because you seem to agree with a lot of what he said.
One thing I would say, though, is that knowing the law is still important. If the Spirit has filled you, the flesh will be suppressed, and you will follow God’s path. To obey you must know the things that you’re supposed to be obeying.
If the Dorean Principle is a command, we should desire to know it and apply it if we are in the Spirit. This strong desire to know what God wants is shown very well in the Psalms. David says he desires God's law "greater also than honey."
But maybe that just emphasizes your point. The people who need the Dorean Principle the most are those who do not have the Spirit.
Sir, I deny that the article's title is in need of correction.
The "Dorean Principle" does not commend its teaching as a spiritual discipline (non binding), it attempts to bind every Christian to only a few (but definitely NOT all) of some highly contextual commands of Jesus for his apostles. This pick-and-choose attitude of the adherents to this principle is unfaithful to proper biblical interpretation and thus I have successful exposed the bad hermetic on which it is based, and so the whole argument collapses. Aka, refuted.
Thank you for your reply.
Hey Nate, enjoyed reading your take, but I’ve got some questions. You call the Dorean Principle a “rule” that won’t fix greedy hearts. What do you mean by “rule”? Owens seems to be suggesting a biblical ethic, not a law, based on verses like Matthew 10:8 and 1 Corinthians 9:18. He’s not claiming it cures greed. He’s saying ministries should share the gospel freely, like Paul did. How do you see those scriptures applying today?
Your point about greed being the real issue makes sense, but it feels like you’re sidestepping Owens’ argument. He’s not denying heart change is key. He’s talking about how ministries operate. If we say only hearts matter, does that mean charging huge amounts for sermons or books is fine as long as the minister’s heart is pure? That could hurt people, especially the poor, which James 2 warns against.
Also, if rules don’t matter because they can’t change hearts, why have any guidelines? Should we ditch preaching against lying or cheating? That doesn’t add up. You seem to imply preaching against greed is good, but isn’t that a “rule” too? Owens’ principle might not solve everything, but it’s grounded in Bible verses you don’t address. Why not tackle both—greed and how we fund ministry? What do you think?
I understand you were trying to be brief, but I feel that you have failed to refute anything. The reason "giving freely" is seen as a principle with ongoing relevance rather than just a one-off command is addressed at length in the Dorean Principle and elsewhere by the author. You have failed to address any other passages that support this principle and waved your hand at it as if that will make it go away. I don't mean to sound rude. I'm sure you are a genuine brother in the Lord, but if you want to refute this teaching, please try again.
The Luther insult generator did not disappoint - right on the money:
"As far as I have been able to see and hear, you have no argument but high-sounding words of sacrilege. Everyone ought properly to shun and avoid you as messengers of none other than the devil."
From Concerning Rebaptism, pg. 259 of Luther's Works, Vol. 40
Keith after re-reading your critique, I note that what you accuse me of ("failed to refute anything") is a 100% accurate description of your own comment.
You didn't actually refute anything I actually said, only questioned my salvation and used generalities to attack me. If I wished to respond in kind I would need to go to the Luther insult generator online because there's no content to your comment whatsoever - only baseless attacks on my character.
Sir you could not have been more condescending in your response. It's not really worthy of an actual line by line refutation because it underhandedly employs ad hominem. Thanks for taking the time to read the article I guess.