Some years back we were discussing the precarious
predicament that exists in churches with our friend W. Phillip Keller,
who is one of the most-read Christian authors of the last century. His
best-known book, which is still popular today, is A Shepherd Looks at
Psalm 23. As we were lamenting the practices and false teachings
indulged in by pastors and parishioners alike, we asked the inevitable
question: How did we get to such an appalling state? We remember Phillip
saying very clearly, “The men of God have lost confidence in the Word of
God.” Phillip held those pastors entrusted with the Word of God
responsible because their lack of confidence in the Word led them to add
the wisdom of men and the ways of the world. Pastors have the
responsibility to preach, teach and evangelize with confidence in the
Word that the sheep might become established in the faith and protected
from error. However, as preachers lose confidence in the Word, they lead
the sheep away from the Word and into the world. When the Word is given
ambiguously or its truths adulterated and treated like silly putty,
people can reshape it to fit any fad or cultural change.
Adapting the Christian message to the culture
actually changes the message. Adapting the Christian message to
psychological theories has changed the message from the cross to the
couch. James Turner, in his book Without God, Without Creed,
deals with how disbelief in God became an option for millions of
Americans. He says it wasn’t because of Darwinism, scientific
naturalism, industrialization, urbanization, and technological changes
in themselves, but rather because of the response of religious leaders
to these developments. Turner says not to blame “Charles Darwin but his
adversary Bishop Samuel Wilberforce, not the godless Robert Ingersoll
but the godly Beecher family.”
In his epistle, James says, “My brethren, be not many
masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation” (James
3:1). So those who bring forth the Word have a serious and heavy
responsibility to preach, teach, and evangelize accurately, but that can
only be done by those who are confident in its living and eternal Truth.
However, while the preachers and teachers are doubly responsible, the
hearers are not absolved of responsibility, because we are all called to
“try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets
are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).
We thank those of you who stand with us to proclaim
confidently that the Word of God is a fountain of living water to all
who come to it.
Dear Friends,