 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For two segments I hope to incite you to very carefully (and with a magnifying glass) look at what you have allowed yourself to believe—the magnifying class that is the Word of God and only the Word of God. This is also counsel from on High for everything in the future that you are presented as truth! Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed (banned, excommunicated). 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. 10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. [Also referenced: Acts 15:1-2] For many years now I have been interested in the work of Christian researcher Dr. George Barna of the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. No one is better at keeping a thumb on the spiritual pulse and respiration of the people of our country then Dr. Barna has been doing for 3 decades. He is effectively like a diligent medical physician that regularly uses a stethoscope and other devices to evaluate the general health of a patient. In his recently published work called American Worldview Inventory 2022-2023 (the annual report of the state of worldview in the United States), he reveals some disturbing facts about the Christian culture in our country. Facts indicating that most professing Christians in America (including their spiritual leaders):
-1- Live lives according to a secular worldview (by the values and in the ways the unsaved world thinks and behaves) and not a biblical worldview,
But you should know that what I am addressing is not just about raising children or hoping to influence grandchildren in the admonitions of the Lord. The problem is much bigger than that and involves the whole of what many Christians believe and practice today. The Lord shows us how serious He is about what we believe and to not add to or take away from His Word in these two places: Deuteronomy 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. Revelation 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. [Also referenced: 2 Timothy 2:15-18] What I hope to impart to you in what I will be sharing under the title “Customizing Your Beliefs” is that what so many Christians in America believe and base their Christian faith and practice on is “another gospel” that when extreme enough has no power to save one’s soul. It is a false belief system thought to be Christian (or Christian-enough) to qualify a man or woman to go to Heaven one day—but is often the mishmash of different false doctrines believed to be Christian, the beliefs of other false religions that weasel their way into modern believer’s minds, and the fleshly whims of each person that excuses what a person still wants to do in his or her life that is out-of-character for Christian conduct, which self-justifies their un-Christ-like lifestyle in view of God.
Dr. Barna uses a term throughout his book that we need to come to grips with for our own edification and (where necessary) self-correction regarding a true Christian walk. The word he uses, which is a growing spiritual cancer among members of the church, is “Syncretism”.
Barna fleshes-out more of what Syncretism is as the book progresses but here is what he says on page 84: “A person who possesses a worldview known as Syncretism has embraced elements of multiple worldviews measured in the American Worldview Inventory: Biblical Theism, Secular Humanism, Postmodernism, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism, Nihilism, Marxism (also known as Pantheism or “New Age”) ... It is the blending of two or more of these thought systems into a highly personalized view of the world. Rather than being a single cohesive, coherent worldview, Syncretism is a patchwork of conflicting, often irreconcilable beliefs and values used to navigate life. It is a cut-and-paste approach to making sense of and responding to life ... Americans tend to embrace points of view or actions that feel comfortable or seem most convenient, without really thinking about it ... [Syncretism] is the most common worldview among American adults.”
[Referenced: 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works ... 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. [Also referenced: Hebrews 4:12] In part 2, I will elaborate more on what American pastors and church leaders believe (and do not) and how that affects what American Christians in general believe or do not, which things are not according to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Also, I just received a 2024 update to Dr. Barna’s work that shows our country’s Christian population has moved even farther into what Paul told the Galatians was “another gospel”.
1 Corinthians 10:12 Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly (of a sound mind), according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. 2 Peter 3:14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest (pervert; from twist, reverse [turn away from]), as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. 18 But [Rather, Instead] grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
 |
|
|
|
