It's Simply Apocalyptic: False Teaching is Very Popular

All these years later and things are still the same.  The only difference is the labels on the "camps" have changed.  I confidently maintain that the local church is the outpost of the Kingdom of God, and likely the mini-kingdoms of man-centered, world-loving religion are not.  They are popular, but free beer also draws a crowd. Why do we buy their books, tapes, and seminars and rallies?

Who, exactly, are YOU listening to?  What message do they bring to you?

2 Peter 2:1-3  But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.  Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.

Copyright © 2015 HarperCollins Christian Publishing

Is the Bible Too Complicated for You?

I had a friend one time say, "Why can't I just believe it?"  Perhaps they were saying they wanted to have faith in God through the Bible.  I wish.  What they were most likely saying was "Why do I have to understand what is in a particular passage and struggle to apply it in a valid way?" 

We want to wear armbands and wave flags.  The Bible is one of them.  "I believe the Bible" has been a cover that enables unscrupulous people to shut down further inquiry from those who would make them accountable.

Christians have to be more responsible, more enlightened, and yes, less simplistic.  Many a Pastor has been matched with an unsuitable church by smiling real big and saying, "I have Jesus in my heart."  No further inquiry necessary.

I challenge people to remember that they aren't the first ones to read the Bible.  They aren't the first human in history to ask any particular question of the Bible.  And, they aren't the first one to answer the question arising from the reading.  Humility is in order, and lots of it. 

Below is a link to an article that may challenge your preconceived notions about interpreting Scripture. 

3 Wrong Ways to Read the Bible

Read for inspiration and embrace Truth!