"Whatever" Christianity (Part 1) By Marsha West

"Any of it [teaching] that is good is in the Word of God, and any that is not in the Word of God is not good. I am a Bible Christian and if an archangel with a wingspread as broad as a constellation shining like the sun were to come and offer me some new truth, I'd ask him for a reference. If he could not show me where it is found in the Bible, I would bow him out and say, 'I'm awfully sorry, you don't bring any references with you'" - A.W. Tozer

Many Christians are adopting the new "spirituality" and tossing out orthodoxy like an old ragged pair of jeans.  Believers have settled into "progressive churches" and have lost touch with objective truth found in God's Word.  Followers of Jesus Christ must submit to the absolute authority of the Bible.  Jesus said, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God'" (Matthew 4:4).

What Paul referred to as a "different gospel" has been introduced into churches through music, books, false teachers and unorthodox movements.  The authority of the Bible is trumped by what is deemed politically correct, thus watering down the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  "Liberal or conservative," says Chuck Colson, "if you weaken the Bible as your authority, you give up more than just some ancient set of dogmas and rules. You give up joy, excitement, the very heart of the Christian faith. You lose what I call the thrill of orthodoxy--the exhilaration of experiencing and living out eternal truth that has been lived through the ages."

So, if the Bible isn't a Christian's authority, what is?  Short answer: Anything he or she wants it to be. You sort of make up your religion as you go along. Does this strike a cord? 

Christianity has become a blend of religious beliefs.  Add a pinch of modern psychology, a dash of Buddhism, a teaspoonful of Catholic mysticism, a cup of New Age spirituality, mix well, and viola!  You've cooked up a batch of New Age Christianity. 

Where were the faithful when doctrines of demons sunk its teeth into Christendom?  The followers of Jesus Christ are to "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints" (Jude 1:3). This is every Christian's mission! 

Let's face it.  Most believers were too busy with everyday life to sweat the small stuff, like what was going on inside the hallowed sanctuaries of local churches.  Christians who recognized all the aberrant teaching did little or nothing to challenge it.  Instead they decided to let it slide.  And slide it did.  Right into the pit of moral relativism!  What resulted is "Whatever" Christianity. Whatever makes you happy; whatever feels right; whatever it takes to draw the unsaved into churches; whatever works.  Basically, whatever floats your boat.  In a word, pragmatism.  (Pragmatism is the idea that if something works it must be true.  Put another way, the end justifies the means.)
Next page...

Prints 1 page at a time                         Home   |   Email   |  Up