8 Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;
10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
I think that belief in the teachings of the Bible and regard for Biblical authority have been diminished in our culture today. We have to make sure that we don't say we believe the Bible and adopt teachings or philosophies that contradict it and undermine our Christian witness. In our desire for acceptance, some have abandoned basic teachings - to their peril and to the peril of an effective Christian influence. The Bible is our authority for life, and is totally sufficient - it is not to be watered down in order to make its truth more palatable for a relativistic culture.
In 2nd Timothy 2, Paul admonishes Timothy to hold fast to the authority of God's Word:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
(17a) And their message will spread like cancer.
God wrote the Bible - that's some encouraging news from a new survey released by LifeWay Research, in partnership with Ligonier Ministries - that is the ministry founded by R.C. Sproul.
But, unfortunately, it seems to go downhill from there, and if you need evidence of a church in decline and why we may not see the impact on our culture that we'd like, here are some signs - that is, if you think that belief translates into behavior.
According to a report on the survey at the Baptist Press website, 64 percent of Americans say God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Twenty-four percent disagree. Twelve percent are not sure. 48 percent of evangelicals - just less than half - adhere to this view.
40 percent of Americans say those who don't believe in Jesus will go to hell. 84% of those who hold evangelical beliefs say hell is a place of eternal judgment, where God sends all people who do not personally trust in Jesus Christ.
60 percent of Americans say heaven is a place where all people will ultimately be reunited with their loved ones. A slightly higher percentage - 64% - of evangelicals hold this view.
Regarding the Bible, 58 percent of Americans say God is the author of the Bible. Just under that, 52%, say the Bible alone is the written Word of God. 64 percent of Americans say the biblical accounts of the physical,, or bodily, resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate. Almost all of those with evangelical beliefs - 98 percent - agree.
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In 2nd Timothy 2, Paul admonishes Timothy to hold fast to the authority of God's Word:
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
(17a) And their message will spread like cancer.
God wrote the Bible - that's some encouraging news from a new survey released by LifeWay Research, in partnership with Ligonier Ministries - that is the ministry founded by R.C. Sproul.
But, unfortunately, it seems to go downhill from there, and if you need evidence of a church in decline and why we may not see the impact on our culture that we'd like, here are some signs - that is, if you think that belief translates into behavior.
According to a report on the survey at the Baptist Press website, 64 percent of Americans say God accepts the worship of all religions, including Christianity, Judaism and Islam. Twenty-four percent disagree. Twelve percent are not sure. 48 percent of evangelicals - just less than half - adhere to this view.
40 percent of Americans say those who don't believe in Jesus will go to hell. 84% of those who hold evangelical beliefs say hell is a place of eternal judgment, where God sends all people who do not personally trust in Jesus Christ.
60 percent of Americans say heaven is a place where all people will ultimately be reunited with their loved ones. A slightly higher percentage - 64% - of evangelicals hold this view.
And, how about salvation? Well, evangelicals by definition believe that salvation comes through trusting Jesus Christ alone as their Savior. Just over half of Americans, 54%, say only those who trust in Jesus Christ alone receive eternal salvation.
Regarding the Bible, 58 percent of Americans say God is the author of the Bible. Just under that, 52%, say the Bible alone is the written Word of God. 64 percent of Americans say the biblical accounts of the physical,, or bodily, resurrection of Jesus are completely accurate. Almost all of those with evangelical beliefs - 98 percent - agree.
According to the Baptist Press article, Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research says "most Americans still identify as Christians. But they seem to be confused about some of the details of their faith." The story continued: "For example, he said, about two-thirds of Americans believe Jesus is God while half say Jesus is a being created by God. Those two beliefs don't seem to match, he said." McConnell is quoted as saying, "Contradictory and incompatible beliefs are okay for most people."
My conclusions from this data, comprised from the answers to 47 questions? Well, for one thing, people don't really seem to have thought through their theology, and the Bible is not the sole authority for their basic theological views. You can claim to believe the Bible, but if you have not accurately incorporated its teachings into your life, you can come up with some contradictory ideas.
And, this is not a phenomenon for non-believers or even non-evangelicals. There are some squishy views out there regarding heaven, hell, the authority of God's Word, and other questions, even among those considered to be "evangelicals." We are called to "accurately handle" or "rightly divide" the Word of truth, according to 2nd Timothy 2. It is critical in order to grow spiritually that we devote ourselves to opening the Word - with the intent of understanding what it says and how it applies to our individual lives. The Bible is more than a book we read; rather it is a living document that can shape us to conform to the image of Jesus. And, a review of the basics can be helpful in developing a greater understanding of His truth.
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