This tweet popped up in my X feed. Dale Partidge is a senior pastor in Arizona. He writes:

The “small group” movement democratized Bible teaching, gave authority to the uncalled, untrained, and unleashed a flood of bad doctrine. Historically, pastors led all Bible studies. Biblically, few men should be teachers. We must return to these standards.

I was pleasantly surprised to see the pushback in the comments. I was especially pleased to see those pointing out that the Bible does not support what he wrote. Here are some examples.

Nor24:

The bible wasn’t written for scholars, the bible was written for all humans, peasants, scholars, priests all alike the word of God tears through all in the same manner. The idea that some only a few learned people can understand and or interpret scriptures goes against everything God but human reasoning coz God has no limits on how to reach His people through scriptures. If you think you’re smart in the eyes of men and question the way God works you’re prolly working for the other side not God.

1 Corinthians 1:25-27 KJV Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

Plumbline Faith:

Unfortunately for you, God’s Word seems to disagree:

“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” 1 Cor. 14:26

“I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” Rom. 15:14

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thes. 5:11

“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” Col. 3:16

Richard:

What Jim says is so true, God’s word just doesn’t agree with what you state. Your logic is what the Catholic Church proclaimed for centuries. The unlearned masses just can’t be trusted to understand the Bible. Professionally trained clergy are the answer, This spread heresy like wild fire.

Someone also linked to a Tom Wadsworth video as I have also shared in How Christians Gathered in the 1st Century | Dr. Tom Wadsworth.

Why is the answer to unqualified Christians doing something to always give more power to a few rather than devote more time to intensively discipling those who need it?

Why is the answer to women doing a poor job of leading women’s Bible studies to eliminate the studies rather than intensively discipling women to understand the Bible well and teach others?

Again, this goes back to the Bible versus traditions of men. Some will argue we should follow the traditions of men and the “Early Church Fathers” when making decisions. But what is to be our guide for faith and practice? The Bible or the traditions of men?

I know I will be sharing the book Pagan Christianity frequently, but I want people to understand where so many of these traditions originated.

Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices