A friend whom I feel [felt] was a student of the Bible, right on in their theology, and had both feet firmly planted on the foundation of truth has made me wonder…..
Can one be too narrow in their theology? Is there wiggle room in our Christian walk? Are we to strive to separate the wheat from the chaff as we listen to televangelist, gleaning tidbits of treasures from among the thorns of their messages as my friend thinks? Should we be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater as we listen and hopefully learn from these televised ‘men and women of faith’? Should we even be listening to televangelist?
Listening as my friend sang the praises of Ravi Zachariah and Charles Stanley I wondered? Attempting to respond in love while remaining calm as I heard them sharing with marked enthusiasm and great excitement and anticipation all that they learned from a recent History Channel program of Nostradamus and his predictions I am saddened and I wondered….
What does The Word say? Did our LORD compromise in His theology when He taught and walked among the people? Did He make allowances for bad theology? Did He praise good theology and ignore the bad in other’ teachings? WWJD - What would Jesus [Have us to] do?
“And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it.” Isaiah 35:8
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.” Matthew 7:13
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves…” Matthew 7:15
“This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls...” Jeremiah 6:16
“How blessed are those who observe His testimonies, Who seek Him with all their heart. They also do no unrighteousness; They walk in His ways.” Psalm 119:3
“…Those are most happy, who are preserved most free from the defilement of sin, who simply believe God's testimonies, and depend on His promises. If the heart be divided between Him and the world, it is evil. To resolve that our hearts shall not reproach us, while we hold fast our integrity, baffles the designs of the evil spirit …” Matthew Henry
I hear the "baby in the bathwater" comment way too often. I have come up with two responses:
ReplyDeleteWho says there's even a baby IN the bath water?
What if the baby is a demon?
I think it IS possible to be "too narrow" when one gets legalistic. But as far as defending the essentials, the road can't be narrow enough.