I’ve received complaints when calling out heresies like social justice — that of replacing the gospel with alternatives, a strange idea since Paul explicitly defined the Gospel.
Just because someone calls themselves a Christian means nothing. How much can you deny of Christianity before it’s no longer Christian? In other words, what are the foundations of Christianity?
It may shock you to discover so-called pastors who deny the existence of God.
Yes, a coming church split will soon be upon us, between those holding traditional Christianity, and those accepting everything and anything, and thus nothing.
One popular buzzword is “progressive” Christianity. What do they believe, and is it Christian?
For example, I don’t personally subscribe to the likelihood of a physical resurrection, or uniquely divine incarnation of Jesus, or that “Yahweh” is God.
Can this be related at all to Christianity? Not even close. No physical resurrection? Then Jesus is a liar.
Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself; handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. (Luke 24:39 KJV)
Flesh and bones sounds pretty physical to me.
Yes, Jesus was physically resurrected, unless He lied. Denying it means the Bible is in error and contains mistakes. Worse yet, it actively attempts to deceive you, since it claims to be error free, and yet contains false statements.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16 KJV)
False statements, lies, and deception isn’t profitable, so if liberals are to be believed Paul was wrong when writing to Timothy.
Are the liberals right, or the apostle Paul?
To me the Bible is an interesting historical compilation of stories with some good morality, but it’s not “God’s word” or anything like that.
That is exactly what progressives argue for — the Bible contains errors and myths, and we must de-mythologize it. Of course, you’re left with several questions progressives never answer.
- Who gets to decide what is and isn’t God’s Word?
- What method will they use?
- Why is their method superior to anyone elses?
You’ll never get answers to those questions. Liberals don’t want to talk about it, because ultimately the answer is simple: Liberals simply don’t want to believe the Bible is the Word of God.
In the end liberal theology is more about living the way people want to, in open rebellion against God, as Walter Martin called it the cult of liberal theology (you can get the message from his web site).
If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything as post-modern philosophy infests the church, denying truth exists.
So while some advocate for a “big tent,” I advocate for a “HUGE tent.” By honoring a “HUGE Christian tent” we can have a large and caring community who are primarily concerned with being open, accepting, and effective at helping the world and its inhabitants to thrive now and into the future.
Again, they’ve forgotten (or ignored) the words of Jesus:
Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in therein. Because straight is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. (Matthew 7:13–14 KJV)
If you’re entering a big tent through a wide gate with many people in it, according to Jesus you’re in the wrong tent.
In the next verse, Jesus warns false prophets will be in the church. Remember the tares and the wheat? Imposters are (almost) impossible to detect.
Progressive “Christianity” theology is a tare among the wheat.
How do you know? Inspect the fruit — does the doctrine try to move you away from the Gospel? Does it tell you the Bible isn’t really God’s Word?
Ultimately deception will become so bad if possible even the elect will buy it. Who won’t? Anyone knowing the Word of God. Those can spot the imposter.
No doubt can exist liberal and progressive doctrine conflicts with the Bible. Thus, you must choose — is liberal theology right, or is the Bible?
They can’t both be.
Will you follow mans wisdom or God’s? It’s your choice. But you can’t follow both, it’s one or the other.
I know this isn’t popular to say. I’m not on best seller lists. So be it. I’ll continue to be the watchman on the wall (Ezekiel 3 and 33), and if you fail to heed the warning it’s your problem, not mine.