The conscience free from the commandments of men. Human prohibition of things indifferent. The conscience enslaved to the traditions and commandments of men. Scripture the only standard of faith and conduct that can bind the conscience. Ecclesiastical legislation concerning things indifferent limited by Scripture.
Ecclesiastical legislation concerning things indifferent extends beyond what Scripture warrants.
Departure from what Scripture teaches concerning the separated life is fraught with peril to the Christian church. The notion that sin is inherent in the use of material things is widespread in American fundamentalism today. The doctrine that the church has the right to decide for her members concerning the use of or abstinence from things indifferent appears to be very widespread, and very seldom challenged at the present day. Persons who have the courage to oppose publicly these two false doctrinal tendencies are likely to be attacked as being opposed to holiness and in favor of sinful license. The practice of ecclesiastical assemblies issuing authoritative pronouncements on all sorts of questions which Scripture places in the sphere of the individual Christian conscience, has become a notorious evil.