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The last two months we have pointed out examples indicating a sad
fulfillment in our day of Paul's warning that in the last days prior to
Christ's return sound doctrine would be scorned and in its place professing
Christians would turn to myths. We noted that as a result there is a
diminishing Biblical and increasing humanistic content in Christian books and
sermons.
The very foundations of the Christian faith are being undermined by
many of those who are looked to as its chief defenders. Yet at the same time,
most if not all of those involved in this destructive process stoutly and
sincerely insist that what they teach is "Biblical."
How is such delusion possible? It has been accomplished by a subtle
redefinition. Whereas to be "Biblical" used to mean that a teaching was
derived from Scripture, it now means that it may be derived from anywhere so
long as it can somehow be interpreted as being compatible with Scripture.
Thus the Bible and Christ the Living Word are no longer "The Truth" as
Scripture so clearly claims. Instead, under the specious slogan that "all
truth is God's truth," Holy Writ is now seen as only one of many ingredients
in a new recipe for happiness to which anything may be added so long as the
mixture still tastes somewhat "Biblical." As a result, Christians are losing
their taste and appetite for unadulterated Truth.
This accelerating erosion of spiritual discernment is compounded by the
fact that exegesis of Scripture has fallen into disfavor with both shepherds
and sheep. Ears are being tickled instead with humanistic concepts which are
introduced as allegedly necessary and helpful supplements to God's Word in
spite of its claim to be complete and sufficient in itself. Far from being
helpful, however, these "supplements" subtly effect reinterpretations of
Scripture -- and a generation grows up with a "Christianity" whose
foundations have been undermined without their knowing it.
Let's take a simple example. Jesus commanded his disciples: "Seek ye
first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things [food,
clothing, shelter] shall be added unto you" (Matt. 6:25-33). From humanistic
psychology, however (now a legitimate source of revelation according to the
"all truth is God's truth" myth) so-called "Christian psychologists" have
borrowed another myth: Abraham Maslow's "hierarchy of needs." It states that
man's physical needs for such things as food, clothing and shelter must first
be met, then so-called psychological needs, and last of all spiritual needs.
Although it blatantly turns Christ's command upside down, Maslow's theory and
its derivatives now permeate the books and sermons of many church leaders and
influence evangelism. Biblical exegesis has been abandoned for a new source
of "truth."
Let's take one more example. Paul solemnly warns: "... in the last
days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own
selves..." (2 Tim. 3:1-2). Then follows a list of sins which peculiarly
characterize our world today and all of which have their root in self-love.
Once again from humanistic psychology, however, "Christian psychologists"
have borrowed the seductive myth that self-love (along with its concomitants
self-esteem/worth/acceptance etc.) is a vital ingredient for "mental health."
Thus, instead of the prevalence of self-love, as the Bible declares, a lack
of it is now stated to be the root of the sins listed in verses 2-4, which
have been redefined as "behavior problems" requiring newly discovered
"psychological solutions."
As we have so often noted and documented, this pop psychology myth,
having been introduced into Christianity by leaders of impeccable reputation,
has become so popular that today it is the prevailing belief throughout the
church. It is as though Paul actually wrote: "... in the last days perilous
times shall come.
For men shall be haters of their own selves, and as a
consequence will need to undergo therapy and attend seminars in order to
learn to love themselves properly ..." Such mutilations would be required
before one could derive the current self-love/esteem/worth fad from Scripture
rather than declaring it compatible.
Acceptance of psychology's myth that a lack of self-love is our major
problem meant that Christ's statement to "love your neighbor as yourself" had
to be reinterpreted as a command to love ourselves. Why would Christ command
us, if we all lack self-love, to love our neighbors as we [fail to] love
ourselves? Christ's apparent error is now corrected by books and seminars
teaching us how to first of all love self so that we can fulfill His command.
In contrast, simple exegesis of Christ's command to "love your neighbor
as yourself" would derive from Scripture the following: (1) clearly we must
already love ourselves, or such a command would be foolish; (2) this is
confirmed by Eph. 5:29 ("For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but
nourisheth and cherisheth it ..."), which is substantiated by the obvious
fact that we feed, clothe and care for ourselves and seek to satisfy our own
desires; (3) we are thus commanded to manifest love for our neighbors in the
same way, i.e. by caring for them as we care for ourselves; and (4) the fact
that this command is necessary indicates that rather than lacking in
self-love, our problem is an excessive amount of it that causes us to be
selfish and thus to neglect caring for others. It is this self-centeredness
that Christ seeks to correct.
Such had been the consistent interpretation of this
Scripture for 1900 years until humanistic psychology was embraced as a
valid source of "God's truth." As a result, Christian leaders now promote the
very love of self that Paul warned would characterize men in the last days
and from which Christ came to deliver us by His cross.
That we must derive Truth from the Bible itself and from no other
source is clear from Christ's statement: "If ye continue in my word, then
are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall
make you free" (John 8:31-2).
Simple exegesis indicates that the Truth which alone sets
us free from sin and self is: (1) revealed only through His Word;
(2) understood only by those who "are of God" and obey ("if ye continue") His
Word; and (3) hidden to all others (see verses 43-47). Each of these points
is denied by the "all truth is God's truth" myth. It credits those "not of
God" with revelations of "God's truth" which supplement the very Word of God
which they oppose.
Solomon wrote: "My son, give me thine heart and let thine eyes observe
my ways. For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit"
(Prov. 23:26-7). Here we have the simple ingredients of a godly life. There
must first of all be the relationship to God as children ("My son ...") born
into His family by His Spirit.
Then follows surrender of our hearts to Him, which involves
both love and commitment. Next we observe His ways, follow
His example, obey His Word. How can we do this? Motivation comes through our
love for Him and the wisdom imparted by His Word. Unfaithfulness to God (as
to one's spouse) and disobedience to His Word, no matter how pleasurable it
may seem for the moment, eventually becomes a deep ditch and a narrow pit
bitter as death itself.
Why should husband and wife be faithful to one another? Why not
so-called free sex? For one thing, it is never "free," but always carries
obligations and consequences that cannot be escaped. Of course it is
possible for a husband or wife to "tire" of each other and to "fall in love"
with someone else -- but that is not real love. God's Word tells us that
"love" is more than sexual passion or pleasure. The God-ordained
relationship between male and female (like our relationship to Him) involves
total commitment.
The man who cheats on his wife or divorces her to marry a
"more attractive" woman may enjoy what seems to be pleasure and fulfillment
for a time. Eventually, however, the remorse for having broken his marriage
vows and having dishonored the God who created him will turn illicit pleasure
into great pain. Obedience to God's Word gives joy now and eternally.
Exchanging that deep and lasting satisfaction for temporary pleasure is a bad
bargain indeed.
Psychology allows one to say, "I can't love my wife or husband or
parent." Yet we are commanded to love: first of all God, then neighbor as
ourselves, and finally even our enemies. True love comes from obedience to
God's Word and is thus based upon commitment to sound doctrine. Nor is
there any excuse under any circumstances for not loving spouse or parent,
friend or foe, whether they mistreat or even hate us. The same is true of
all of the ingredients of a happy, productive, fruitful, victorious life.
Those who will not endure it delude themselves with a false "Christianity"
that will be severely judged for its fundamental disobedience.
The Bible does not say, "Rejoice in the Lord always ... unless you are
unable to do so because of an unhappy childhood, a bout of `depression,' or
adverse circumstances." It does not say, "Be anxious for nothing ... unless
you have a nervous disposition." It does not say, "Forgive ... unless you
are unable to because of abuse, etc."
We are not excused from obeying the command, "Be
not afraid," because we happen to be timid and fearful. Nor are
we excused from the command, "Let the peace of God rule in your hearts,"
because we have been diagnosed as susceptible to stress. Nor are we excused
from the command to love because we find certain people unlovable.
Unfortunately, however, the simple obedience to God's Word that sound
doctrine compels has been undermined by psychological "counseling" that
nourishes unbelief and rebellion.
Love, joy, peace etc. are clearly declared to be the fruit not of
therapy but of the Holy Spirit working in our lives. How? Through some
magic process by which God "zaps" us and we are transformed? No, but as
God's Truth so grips our hearts that we are fully persuaded to be ruled by
His Word, to obey Him and to trust Him to fulfill in us what He has promised.
This is not to deny the miraculous working of the Holy Spirit powerfully in
our hearts and through us in others in ways beyond human comprehension. It
is merely to say that the Bible clearly declares that God works in our lives
through our obedience to His Word. As Jesus said: "If ye continue in my
word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free."
The litmus test of truth for victorious Christian living must be: Is
it derived from Scripture, or is it the wisdom of this world packaged in
Christian terminology in order to make it appear to be compatible with
Scripture?
This test should not only be applied to the sermons and writings
of others, but to ourselves. We should each get on our knees and ask God:
"How much of my daily life is rooted in your Word, and how much is rooted in
the world? When I am happiest, is it because I know I have pleased my
Heavenly Father, am rejoicing in His grace and love, and "the joy of the Lord
is my strength"; or is it because I have achieved worldly goals that bring
the same joy to those who `know not God and obey not the gospel'?"
Jesus accused the Pharisees of establishing traditions that nullified
Scripture. Even the clear command to "Honor thy father and mother," had been
turned completely around by the Pharisees (Matt. 15:1-6). Christ indicted
them with establishing a system of religion that allowed men seemingly to
honor God outwardly while in their hearts they remained committed to self.
What left men's hearts far from God while their lips seemed to praise Him?
Christ summed up His indictment by declaring that Israel's religious leaders
had substituted the traditions of men for the true doctrine of God's Word
(verses 7-9). This same "leaven of the Pharisees" is fermenting in today's
church. May God help us to boldly expose it and to stand uncompromisingly
for obedience to His Word.
In Christ's love, Dave Hunt../ |