Titus

The Epistle of Paul to Titus was written in 65 AD.  This like I Timothy and II Timothy- is another one of the three pastoral epistles.  This epistle is an especially useul guide for those who plan to go into inner city ministries. Paul tells Titus of his task on Crete. The people of Crete would be described by us as barbaric evil idiocys of human nature.  The task before Titus was very difficult.  This would indeed involve a lot of spiritual warfare although this issue is not specifically addressed in the Epistle.  Paul tells Titus to use his pastoral authority to rebuke the people of Crete when necessary.  This clearly demonstrates that indeed tough love is necessary at times in the church setting.  People don't need a litte wimpy pastor who does not use his authority but rather an in-your-face pastor who will speak the truth straight up even if it offends you right to the very core of your heart.  Paul instructs Titus on how to teach various groups and reminds him to do everything in accordance with sound doctrine.  Titus pparently had the task of dealing with some horny young man because Paul tells him to remind these young men to be self-controlled.  Paul tells Titus to instruct slaves to be subject to their masters.  Paul also encourages Titus to remind his congregation that they are subject to the rulers and authorities.    Paul tells him to do it with good compassion but with the plain and simple truth, because everyone has been at the state where they were living a life apart from God but the love of God saved them from it.  Paul apparently warns Titus about the Ebionites just like he did Timothy as he tells Titus to avoid quarrels about the law.  He tells him to warn divisive people twice but then to have nothing to do with them for such a man is warped, sinful, and self-condemned.  Paul then closes on final greetings.  Notice in all the pastoral epistles that Paul emphsizes doctrine very strongly.  Doctrine is often times overlooked by many churches.  While there are points that we can disagree upon in doctrine based on our different denominations, we should not let those points divide us.  As Saint Augustine said, "In essentials, unity; in nonessentials liberty; and in all things- charity. "  For the essential doctrines of the Christian faith go to my page entitled What I Believe.