https://thesaintsarose.blogspot.com/2023/03/doctrine-of-old-testament-worthies.html
Does scripture teach that the Old Testament Worthies would rise from the dead or is it simply a false traditional assumption proclaimed as truth?
Traditionally derived doctrines start like any other tradition. By combining small truths and small lies, traditional incidental doctrine builds a complete falsehood from small truths. They use minor changes to the truth to cause immeasurable impact and damage. When a false doctrine is used as braces or underpinnings for the falsity and infrastructure of another doctrine, the truth becomes lost in the wilderness of theology and religion.
Incorporating incidental doctrines can influence a desired outcome for both teacher and student, which increases the appeal of acceptance. A traditional doctrine’s value is in it’s ability to grow in any direction necessary to bolster other more desired doctrines that use the associated traditional doctrine as their lynchpin. The doctrine of the Old Testament Worthies is an incidental traditional doctrine. However, it did not need to become a false doctrine, if taught correctly!
From my earliest memories of learning about Bible stories, the Old Testament Worthies doctrine has played a significant part in my life. This is true of nearly every Christian follower. Preachers and teachers taught in Church, Sunday school or in Vacation Bible School for Christians. There is a lack of breath in the Old Testament Worthy Doctrine. My former pastor and specifically my late father, Rev. Charles Cohenour Sr., sparingly taught on this subject. When he did, he used few words to move on from the Old Testament Worthies to whatever the main topic of his sermon was. I believe My Father reasoned there was not enough proof to base this traditional truth upon. Congregation questioning would lead to assumptions, which my father did not wish to teach.
In my teenage years, our family would frequently be invited to General Meetings, Regional Meetings and Minister Meetings held by different churches of the Body of Christ throughout the USA. We would travel as far as Chino, California, as close as Indianapolis, Indiana and many places in between. By traveling to other churches in the Body of Christ, I was occasionally exposed to the Doctrine of the Old Testament Worthies. The extent to which the Old Testament Worthies doctrine was taught during those visits was very sparse. However, the doctrine was mentioned as biblical truth many times.
The progenitor of this doctrine preached to me was our founder of the Body of Christ; the late Bro William Sowders, who by preaching his interpretation of Matthew 27:52-53 made this incidental doctrine an accepted Traditional Doctrine in our Body of Christ today. When Bro.William Sowers taught the doctrine, it was quickly accepted by the saints of the BOC. Bro. Sowders was rarely questioned and this doctrine became an accepted traditional doctrine, which is now presented as pure and Godly truth. Even after Bro. William Sowders died, the Old Testament Worthies doctrine is still taught throughout the country as it was when he was alive. Bro. Sowders taught more than 68 years ago.
Typically, it is used as a foundation for other doctrines, such as the Doctrine of Perfection and the Doctrine of the First and Second Resurrections. There was a specific application of the Old Testament Worthies doctrine in regard to moving out a living soul and those waiting under the Golden Altar. According to God’s Old Testament Worthies doctrine, all the heroes from the Bible are in heaven, under the Golden Altar, in the First Resurrection.
This Doctrine of the Old Testament Worthies addresses God’s alleged Sovereign Right to allow certain exceptions to his established law. The Doctrine suggests God can operate outside of His own standards, suggesting the possibility that Almighty God may break his own oaths and tell lies at his own pleasure?
This doctrine also challenges human standards of what is fair and equal among followers of the church. The doctrine teaches that accumulating acts of Christian behavior warrants Godly favoritism. It likewise adds to a misconception that God indulges favoritism by giving certain elect predestined individuals preferential treatment.
The key question: Is this doctrine a truthful interpretation of scripture or a false traditional assumption preached as truth?
The problem is, the Apostle Matthew did write about a resurrection in Matthew 27, but Matthew left that specific resurrection open ended, as a church miracle. This open ended miracle left an opportunity for someone to take advantage of reason and perpetuate an agreeable doctrine to suit those who, using subtlety, built a doctrine that would and could be used to boost their own agenda.
There are books written and sermons preached that have been taught about this resurrection for many, many years without challenge. I believe there are unanswered questions concerning the post-interpretation of Matthew 27:52-53 that have remained unchallenged and that need to be made transparent.
There is definite truth in Matthew 27:52-53. We just need to see it and teach it correctly. This resurrection happened, but not as we have been taught.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Cohenour Jr.
December 15, 2020
“If I am to be true to my calling I must exercise my gift. I am called to be a teacher I should always bring to the children of the Lord a lesson to learn”.
Charles E. Cohenour Jr. 12-04-2014
Addendum: There are many doctrines that are preached and taught as the gospel that have never been labeled. I have labeled some in this text to describe their subjects. When you read about a doctrine you may or may not have known or heard of it anywhere else. I apologize for attempting to bring attention to a way of teaching a subject that may not have had a label in the distant past.
Special thanks for all the editing and help that was given by my wife Jean Cohenour who spent many hours correcting my horrid spelling and grammar. Without Jean this article would never have been written or understood. Thank you to those who also helped proofread and provided input in the early writing and may God bless you all.
Posted 9th March 2023 by charles cohenour
The Saints Arose 