Preparing For the Battle

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not 

to wholesome words, even the words of our 

Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which 

is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing 

nothing, but doting about questions and 

strifes of words whereof cometh envy, strife, 

railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings

 of men of corrupt minds, and destitue 

of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: 

from such withdraw thyself.

1Timothy 6:3-5

      The previous blogs taught about what it means, A"Real Christianity" or "Authentic Christian Faith." Due to the problems today both from within the Church, and be those outside the Church it is important that I continue to write about the liberalism that has infected the Church and people in general. My attempt here is to present the issue as clearly and as accurate as I can in order that you the reader may be aided in your growth as an Authentic Christian, or if not at that point yet to lead you to Authentic Christianity. The opening words written to Timothy by the Apostle Paul not only have implications for Timothy but recorded and passed down through the Churches for all to read and apply. To be a tacit Christian, that is, one who is doing little, if not nothing, in working out their faith except for themselves to feel godly simply means that you by your silence agree with those who teach a liberal other gospel. The battles within the various denominations are about, for the most part, things that are of little consequence, that is, they are matters of indifference. What Paul was pointing out to Timothy was about those who are teaching a gospel that is not the Gospel, rather they are simply making noises, ranting, raving at times, striving over their personal doctrines, or things of indifference that they proudly make things of difference. Paul is not saying not to question things, this is important if one is to know what is true or not. We are human beings and have a brain and are curious so we ask questions but to question the clear teaching of Scripture and to banter over preconceived ideas that are simply forcing into Scripture what Scripture does not reveal is to be one that we are to avoid. But it is good to ask questions, to see whether a person is following the truth and this means that you and me must come to know the Truth, not man-made ideologies, and theologies. So we study and this is what these blogs are attempting to do, to aid you, to entice you to study. This might seem an indomitable task but if one does the study they will benefit in the end. The person who shrinks back or rejoices over the pious sounds of the traditional phrases their particular denominations purports, and this regardless whether they be true or not, whether their meanings are warranted by Scripture, and shrinks back for those controversial matters, these well not stand when they are confronted by life. When a person allows others to tell them what to think, rather than lead them to find out for themselves are ones who are apt to hold on to that which is not worth holding on to, and the really important things, those things that they should be fighting for, they will not fight.

     In this present age Christianity is under attack and the attacker is winning the battle for too many Christians are going about life as though God will take care of the problem so they do not need to be fighting. God will take care of the problem and this by you. The Gospel from its beginning was and is now, that is, now if it is down as it should be done, showing the world and teaching the world the great redemptive religion, or Authentic Christianity. Christianity has always had to fight battles or their religious beliefs, but a new type of "Christianity" has come upon the world and it is more destructive than all the battles fought by Christians in the past. This "New-Christian Religion" is nothing more than "modernism" or "liberalism," in fact, it is a "Socialism" attempting in every way to change the Gospel as taught from the beginning of the Church. Liberalism, or Modernism, has many sides or manifestations to it that it seems hard to combat, but you and I are only to combat what we know to be a Liberalism that is coming into the Church and turning people to another gospel. Liberalism denies the Cross, even denies the creative power of God, and only looks to what they call "naturalism." This new type of Christianity is not of the origin of Authentic Christianity and is only degrading our Saviour Jesus Christ, our God who came to pay our debt of sin that we cannot pay. As Paul said in the opening Scripture: turn from such men. 

 But this thing commanded I them, saying,

     Obey My voice, and I will be your God,

and ye shall be My people: and walk ye in

   all ways that I have commanded you,

that it may be well unto you.

                      Jeremiah 7:22

 Put on the armor of God

Richard L. Crumb