| Are you suggesting the scriptures do not obligate church leaders to protect the flock from heresy? 1 Timothy 6:20–21 – “O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding the profane novelties of words and oppositions of knowledge falsely so called, which some professing have erred concerning the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:3–4 – Warns of people turning from truth to myths, implying leaders must protect them from such influences. Titus 1:9–11 – Bishops must “stop the mouths” of those teaching error, which includes preventing their works from spreading. Acts 20:28–31 – Paul warns the Ephesian elders to guard the flock from false teachers who will arise “speaking perverse things.” 2 John 1:10–11 – “If any man come to you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into the house nor say to him, God speed you.” Romans 16:17 – Mark and avoid those who cause doctrinal divisions; a list of banned works is a formal way of “marking” them. Acts 19:19 – New converts in Ephesus publicly burn their occult books after coming to the faith. Deuteronomy 13:1–5 – False prophets and their influence must be eradicated from the midst of the people. Etc, etc, etc. |