I beseech you
therefore, brethren,
by the mercies of
God, that you
present your bodies a
living sacrifice,
holy, acceptable to
God, which is
your reasonable
service.
And do not be
conformed to this world,
but be transformed by
the renewing
of your mind, that
you may prove
what is that good and
acceptable
and perfect will of
God.
Romans 12:1–2
It
is more than some casual observation that many Churches have succumbed to a
liberal theology. Liberal Christianity is more interested in social
institutions where they place their priorities. This interest in social
institutions is not to be admitted that Orthodox Christianity is not interested
in people as a whole. They do, for Orthodox, or Authentic Biblical Christianity
is interested in the institution of the Church, the salvation of souls, yet the
Church cannot be caricaturized as not being interested in education, or in the
maintenance of a social life in this world. Authentic Biblical Faith has first,
and foremost, the saving of souls and this is not to be done in a vacuum.
Orthodox Christianity does not operate in some pious state which separates
Authentic Biblical Christianity from the social needs from the priority of
salvation. Orthodox Christianity does not leave alone those saved and called by
God alone to be left to their own devices. Therefore, Every Authentic Biblical
Christian must have a concerned interest in uniting the brotherhood of the
Church, and an interest in this uniting to be involved in social concerns as
they spread the Gospel which calls God’s elect. This being said, Authentic
Christian Faith is far different from liberal Christianity. How? Brotherhood in
liberal theology is the brotherhood of man. Modern liberal theology has
embraced the doctrine that all men everywhere are brothers. This liberal
theology has allowed for homosexuals to take communion, to become part of a
Church, and even to be leaders and pastors. Liberal Christianity being imbedded
in this liberality has made cause to allow for women to be preachers, and to
accept such horrible actions such as abortion. All for the brotherhood, which
denies the plain and clear teaching of God’s word. At least in part, if not in
whole, liberal Christians do not accept the Bible as the inerrant and
infallible word of God, preserved by Him and have accepted translations and
paraphrase forms to be Scriptural. Up to a certain point this doctrine; “The
Brotherhood of Man,” can be accepted. All men have the same creator and are of
the same nature. All men need to hear the Gospel by which some men are saved.
Authentic Biblical Christians can accept that there is need to live as Christ
has commanded us and by doing so benefit society as a whole. To be involved in
aiding those in need wherever they may be, Africa, Kentucky, or by such things
as the storm Katrina, and the recent New England storm, Sandy. To them is to
apply to them Brotherhood and here we have agreement with those who hold to a
liberal form of Christianity. Yet, Authentic Biblical Christians know that
there is a relationship more intimate than just some general relationship of
man to man. It is this intimate relationship whereby Authentic Biblical
Christians use the term brother. Authentic Biblical Christians teach according
to Scripture that the true brotherhood is the brotherhood of he redeemed. When
the Apostle Peter wrote: “Honor all people, love the brotherhood .Fear God.
Honor the king” (1Peter 1:1–2), he is writing to the elect. The elect are
the true brotherhood, yet we are to honor all even those who are not of the
true brotherhood of Jesus Christ.
There are
those who would cavil and object vehemently at this teaching and call it
narrow; but is it? No! the Christian brotherhood is open to all without
distinction. Authentic Biblical Christians seek to bring all to Jesus Christ, to
admit them to the true brotherhood. No man, Christian or not, can know who are
elected or not. Our command is to take the Gospel to all nations. It is God who
gives mercy to whoever He chooses (Roman 9:15). Any man can choose to be
philanthropic, to bind up wounds, to care for the needy, etc., Authentic
Biblical Christians do the same, only their interest, the first on their
priority list is, an interest in that which is deeper than the deepest of
philanthropy; their interest is to bring lost souls to Jesus Christ.
A heresy,
an there were many, developed in the early Church and they have insidiously
found their way into many Churches has found a home in liberal theology.
Liberal theology is just one such heretical aspect that many have accepted due
to their misuse of Scripture and their appeal to the hearts, an appeal that
moves people to look beyond the truth of Scripture and apprehend such false
teaching. They do more than just apprehend, they assimilate this false teaching
and become hardened against the true word of God. Paul admonishes us: “Now I
urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to
the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are of such do
not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and
flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:17–18). Platoism,
Neoplatonism, Gnosticism, ascetism, Monastery life, prosperity theology,
supernatural theology that teaches that God will speak things to a person without
the aid of Scripture, speculative theology, etc., which the simple fall prey
too; don’t be simple, study, learn of God, don’t listen to flattering speech,
rather become an Authentic Biblical Christian and change from the Inside Out.
And I, brethren when I came to you,
did not come with excellence of
speech
or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of
God. For I
determined not to know
anything among you except Jesus Christ
and Him
crucified.
1Corinthians
2:1–2
Commit your souls to Him
Richard L. Crumb
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