Doctrine divides

One of the greatest antidotes to ecumenism is doctrine. Ecumenism thrives in an environment where doctrine is disparaged. Such is the situation in Mongolia, where the initial missionaries, in an effort to promote a false unity, agreed to minimize doctrinal differences and speak only of unity. Though unintended by the initial missionaries, the result was a general inability to judge any doctrine according to Scripture.

Today, there are many doctrines that are being taught in churches in Mongolia that do not line up with Scripture. Professing Christians sometimes will even admit that what they have been taught is not in Scripture but, with a smile, will argue that they have no right to judge another man’s doctrine. One national pastor I know, sponsored by Baptists from America, told me that he has no right to say that praying in tongues is wrong.

Sometimes, a Mongolian knows that what he is being taught is wrong, but he does not know the biblical reason why it is wrong. Even well-taught Christians in Mongolia often say to me, “I know it’s in the Bible somewhere, I just don’t know where.” Because Mongolians do not have the extensive reference materials in Mongolian that we have in English, it can be difficult for them to find verses when they say, “I know I’ve read that somewhere.”

The last observation is that there are no Mongolians who have grown up in church hearing the Bible stories and Bible lessons that many of us heard as children. They are unaware of the significance of Abraham. They sometimes do not know David as more than a king of Israel who wrote the Psalms. Daniel is an unknown to them.

To meet these needs and to inculcate doctrine into Mongolians, particularly Mongolian men, Bill Patterson and I started an evening Bible institute. The classes this spring are A Survey of Bible Doctrines and The Pentateuch.

At the beginning we were encouraged by the high level of interest. One night there were seven Mongolians in attendance. However, that number has gradually dwindled until three students were left. But I refuse to be discouraged. The three students whom we have are learning important doctrines and are better prepared to defend their beliefs than they were when we started. They are learning that a Christian who submits himself to the teaching of Scripture is required to measure all teaching that he receives by the Bible. We encourage them to study their Bibles and to bring us questions they have on the topics we are teaching. They know the significance of Abraham’s faith and can give you an overview of the Bible’s teaching on Itself. Further, because we require them to take copious notes, they have a systematic record of what they have studied. The next time someone tries to tell them that Jesus is not truly God, even if they cannot remember exactly where it can be found, they can go back to their notes to be reminded of Bible doctrine.

The goal is to leave behind doctrinally solid, nationally led, truly independent Baptist churches in Mongolia. Although there are many facets to such a work, the Bible institute contributes substantially to the doctrinally solid aspect of planting churches.

My desire is that you will pray with us for this Bible institute as it continues on into the future. Pray for me to teach with wisdom and clarity; pray for the students to remember and to use the doctrines they are studying, and pray for greater interest in the Bible institute among the men who attend the church.

Purpose of the Bible institute

The Bible institute work that I do in Mongolia by God's grace will have the greatest impact of any of the ministries with which I have been involved since coming to this country. The Bible institute will be an incubator where Mongolian men can be trained to serve their own people and take the Gospel to the rest of the world.

It is because of the Biblical injunction to train faithful men who shall be able to teach others also in II Timothy 2:2 that I was challenged to start these classes. Of course, there is teaching on Sundays and Wednesdays. Also, I have had basic Bible studies with many of these men in their homes. However, the Bible institute is designed in such a way that it places a greater burden on men to be diligent in their studies. The Bible institute has tuition; it is a small amount but enough to make the men ask themselves what they expect to get out of the class. There are quizzes each week and a final examination at the end of the term. Those whose marks merit such will receive a certificate showing that they have completed the course. It is my goal to offer enough courses over the next several years to enable a man who studies diligently to be granted a certificate of completion in Biblical studies. Because all official schools and their curriculum must be approved by the government it is unlikely that we will ever be able to offer a diploma. However, by having some sort of documentation of their work I hope to encourage men to stick with the program for several years and increase their knowledge of the Bible.

The Bible institute will also provide training for the translators necessary to work on a faithful translation of God's word into beautiful Mongolian. The current translation is something with which we can and do work. We encourage all Mongolians to read their Bible daily, to study it faithfully, and to obey it. However, those of us with access to the Bible in other languages can see the current translations deficiencies. You must remember that from the first translation of the Bible in English by John Wycliffe to the publication of the King James Version in 1611 was nearly 230 years. We should expect that initial translations of God's word into Mongolian will need some help.

The Bible institute provides a formal way to give some of the necessary help. Every good Bible translation should have a wealth of knowledge about the Bible at his fingertips and an excellent understanding of Biblical doctrines. Such doctrinal preparation will be invaluable to them as they approach the translation of Scripture.

A rigorous study of Bible doctrine will also enable Mongolians Christians to challenge error when they hear it. Many Christians in Mongolia when talking of false doctrine will say something to the effect, "I don't believe that but ..." and offer some excuse as to why they do not confront false doctrine. I believe that many Mongolian Christians see the Bible as a mysterious book whose teachings cannot be known exactly. Rather they believe that there is wide latitude for various understandings. While the human mind because of its finite capacity cannot comprehend all that God has for us, the Bible is a book that God wants us to understand. Too often Mongolians will refuse to engage teachers of false doctrines because they simply do not know their Bible well enough. So error proliferates at an alarming rate while truth seemingly grows slowly. The Bible institute will contribute to the growth of truth and equip believers to confront error when they hear it.

The Bible institute by requiring attendance, charging a nominal fee, encouraging note-taking, and examining the students' retention of doctrine will illustrate to Mongolian Christians the seriousness of Bible study and research. It is not enough for Christians to have a superficial knowledge of the Bible.

The Bible institute has also been a help to me as I prepare and translate materials. Many theological words remain undefined in Mongolian. Teaching at a Bible institute level grants me the opportunity and privilege to study more myself as I prepare to teach others.

Our first Bible institute class, we had eight Mongolians. At our second Bible institute class, five returned and a new Mongolian who had previously expressed an interest came. Another Mongolian came to me later to apologize for missing the class. Please pray for Bill and I as we teach and pray for the Mongolians as they study the most important work ever written because it was penned by God.

Picture of the week

This week's picture was taken at the Bible institute on Tuesday night. We had eight Mongolians in attendance which was twice the number I was expecting. Pray with us that all eight of them finish.

Weekly update

Our Sunday this week was only average. But the new news is that I finally have started the Bible institute that Bill Patterson and I have been working towards for many months. I realize that a primary part of my ministry here is training men. The Bible institute should facilitate the training of men.

I was expecting two or three men to be involved. Instead we had six men and two ladies at the first session. Please pray that all of them would finish the twelve week course. Later this week, I should be posting a picture on the blog.

On Friday and Saturday evenings this week, we will be having Roland Gay, missionary evangelist to Mongolia, preaching about spiritual revival. Roland is one of the few people in the world who regularly comes to Mongolia and preaches in Mongolian. I am personally very excited to hear his preaching. I have been praying that God will use his messages to stir all of our hearts. Pray with us for the power of the Holy Spirit to be evident, and a spirit of repentance and surrender to pervade the meetings.

Thank you for your prayers. I believe that they are having an effect in Mongolia.