Mountain Rest Baptist, in their monthly newsletter for November, mentioned an intriguing study by Arizona Christian University and the Barna Research Group. I have looked at the research, and it says, in part (this is just the first point):
"Truth and morality are determined by the individual, not by God or the Bible. Solid majorities of mainline adherents believe that there is no absolute moral truth (58%), and that God is not the standard or provider of truth (63%). A large proportion of mainline church attenders believe that people are essentially good (81%), are able to determine right from wrong apart from biblical guidance (71%), and generally know what’s best for their lives, without God’s guidance. They tend to believe that the Bible is a good book and contains wisdom for life, but it cannot be trusted to be absolutely representative of God’s truth principles for humankind (63%). Mainline adults contend that history is not God’s unfolding narrative that provides insights or wisdom for humanity; in fact, human beings cannot even be certain that God exists. Such belief is personal, they argue, and embracing Christianity is less important than embracing some faith."
see https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CRC_AWVI2020_Release11_Digital_04_20201006.pdf
This statement fits in perfectly in our current series about Truth. When truth is dismissed, morality goes down the drain. In John 17:17, Jesus says, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." - Was Jesus lying?
You must make the decision in your own heart and mind to believe ALL of the Bible. You must accept ALL of its Truth - whether you find it comfortable for yourself or not. Because, when you begin to dismiss parts of it because it doesn't fit your lifestyle, or choices, you are essentially saying to Jesus, "I know better than you... I'm a better judge about right and wrong than you are." You have set yourself up in the place of God, and that is the very thing that Satan did. See Isaiah 14:12-14 & following.
Truth and the Church
Mountain Rest Baptist, in their monthly newsletter for November, mentioned an intriguing study by Arizona Christian University and the Barna Research Group. I have looked at the research, and it says, in part (this is just the first point):
"Truth and morality are determined by the individual, not by God or the Bible. Solid majorities of mainline adherents believe that there is no absolute moral truth (58%), and that God is not the standard or provider of truth (63%). A large proportion of mainline church attenders believe that people are essentially good (81%), are able to determine right from wrong apart from biblical guidance (71%), and generally know what’s best for their lives, without God’s guidance. They tend to believe that the Bible is a good book and contains wisdom for life, but it cannot be trusted to be absolutely representative of God’s truth principles for humankind (63%). Mainline adults contend that history is not God’s unfolding narrative that provides insights or wisdom for humanity; in fact, human beings cannot even be certain that God exists. Such belief is personal, they argue, and embracing Christianity is less important than embracing some faith."
see https://www.arizonachristian.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CRC_AWVI2020_Release11_Digital_04_20201006.pdf
This statement fits in perfectly in our current series about Truth. When truth is dismissed, morality goes down the drain. In John 17:17, Jesus says, "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." - Was Jesus lying?
You must make the decision in your own heart and mind to believe ALL of the Bible. You must accept ALL of its Truth - whether you find it comfortable for yourself or not. Because, when you begin to dismiss parts of it because it doesn't fit your lifestyle, or choices, you are essentially saying to Jesus, "I know better than you... I'm a better judge about right and wrong than you are." You have set yourself up in the place of God, and that is the very thing that Satan did. See Isaiah 14:12-14 & following.