I’ve been sitting this morning with my mouth hanging open and my jaw on the floor.
I’ve been trying to pick that jaw up, put it in place, and begin writing this blog; oh, for a few hours now.
The best of my intentions fell by the wayside, until I dug out an old Bible where the following statement is written. Kay Arthur (Precept Ministries) originally penned it in one of her Bible Studies I participated in back in the early 1990’s while still serving in Kenya:
I found it again in her 2008 book, “Lord Teach Me to Study the Bible.” Arthur bases this statement from Peter’s letter to the persecuted church, when he reminds them that there are some things (teachings from the Lord) that are hard to understand…things the ignorant and the unstable twist to their own destruction (2 Peter 3:16).
Under the Kay Arthur quote, I had written another by William Tyndale (spoken in early 1520’s). His heart was that ALL PEOPLE, not just the clergy could study the Scriptures for themselves. Keep in mind, Tyndale believed this so deeply, the Catholic Church executed him in 1536…
With these two quotes as a backdrop, allow me to share the thing weighing on me this morning.
I just spent 59-seconds watching a TikTok presentation from a young man who identifies himself as a Progressive Christian author, activist, pastor and organizer. He graduated from Moody Bible Institute (credible) and holds two masters degrees (one in theological ministries and political science). His resumé boasts authoring twelve books (one an INDIES book of the year award winner), speaking at the White House, Oxford University, and the Parliament of World’s Religions (not excluding numerous television talk-show appearances), as well as, organizing an advisory committee for the DNC. Well known individuals say kind things about this fellow: “He’s an outstanding voice among his generation.” “His work is highly instructive – and a TRUE inspiration.” “He’s really intelligent and has a huge heart, but he’s also fearless…it’s that alchemy that makes him such a compelling voice for the new thing Jesus is up to in the world…”
Sounds fairly legit, right?
Hands down, his accomplishments far outweigh mine.
So what’s the problem?
In 59-seconds, this fellow wrecked historic Christianity (far more than I can possibly imagine).
Looking directly into the camera, with authority in his voice, he gave an approximate 150-word-commentary on one of those difficult to understand teachings of Jesus that Peter mentioned.
In 59-seconds, he:
? informed his audience that Jesus was a biased racist…? assured us that Jesus sinned while on earth, but, lest that bother you, Jesus repented of his sins…
? acknowledged that the mind of Jesus changed any time “truth confronted His authority…”
? minimized Jesus, by saying He is an excellent role model, but nothing about Him being a Savior…
? worst of all, the atoning blood of Jesus does not mean what we think it means (no explanation)…
Today’s post is a cautious warning.
More and more I’m vividly aware of the wolves in sheep’s clothing…
Their voices cry out oh-so-loudly.
They speak with authority.
We need to know God’s Word…
WE MUST NOT TAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S WORD ON THE WORD AS GOSPEL TRUTH!!!
To know the WORD doesn’t just mean to read it…
To know it means being willing to do the work to study it…
To know it means we let Scripture inform other passages of Scripture…look at culture…understand meanings of words…get a picture of the context, the history, the setting…
To know the WORD, we utilize the amazing tools available to us on the internet, in books, and from others who have gone before (reliable commentaries)… and to learn how to use these resources!
About the Word (author unknown):
AND…MOST OF ALL…
It is imperative that we all take off the lenses of past experience, which color the way we see the Word of God, and look at TRUTH with clarity, through the clear glass of strong systematic “lego-building.” (see last week’s blog)
Otherwise, we see the Bible as this vs. that:
A lot of lies and heresy sprout roots in 59-seconds.
This little video left me in shock – and, it was blatant, in-your-face apostasy.
Some off-track-teachings are much more subtle, but if this is what we are fed week after week, on a consistent basis, from people who are charismatic and inspirational…then, as Peter warned, we are on our way to destruction…
Jesus-followers, let us all be alert…Jude, the half-brother of Jesus instructed: “Let us contend earnestly for the faith (Jude 3)”…and, “build ourselves up in the most holy faith (Jude 20).”
I cannot urge this enough…
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PS. I’m prayerfully considering a virtual “how to” Bible Study – simple and practical – once a week over a few weeks in May that would cover some basics that have helped me in my own study of Scripture. If you think you might be interested, shoot me a message via FB Messenger, and I’ll get back with you…