2 Peter 3:18 reads,
But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity.
The Israel of God today is destroyed by the same thing and for the same reason that destroyed ancient Israel — lack of knowledge and poor accountability. Some church leaders have the policy that the fewer people know, the less the possibility of departing from the truth. In this case, the old adage that “ignorance is bliss” becomes the rule. Some biblical subjects have been ignored because they may cause disagreements or cause someone to question their views. Under this institutional system, the leadership is content to keep people ignorant of the truth under the guise of protecting them. The fear is that when members see other views, they may defect and open up the possibility of losing more members. It also admits that time may not be given for grounding, correcting, and building up before a member decides to change. In other words, it is a lot of work and too risky. Ironically, the very reason God placed them in the called-out (Eph. 4:11-14), is no longer the reason among supposed church leaders of today. These men, who should be skilled in teaching the word, avoid such opportunities, stifle sincere questions by offering patented answers that cannot be challenged, and impose restrictions on what is preached in the pulpit. We are taught to contend for the faith (Jude 3). Clearly, the work of a first-century elder involved him in much “contending.” Any man who claims the same responsibility merely occupies a position of authority rather than being committed to the work of teaching, warning, etc. He has not discharged the most solemn responsibility given by the chief Shepherd.