God's Truth

“The ideological and philosophical confusion that characterizes America is perhaps the biggest reflection of the nation's rejection of biblical principles and its decision to replace God's truth with ‘personal truth.” George Barna

While most people don’t think poorly about Jesus, they are not running to Him to deal with the issues we all face in this life. It seems most prefer to place their faith in the ever-shifting currents of culture and the allure of blending beliefs. Brothers and sisters, this is a perilous threat to the purity of Christian doctrine. The theological word that’s used to define this clash between our faith and culture is “syncretism”. Syncretism is simply the mingling of one belief system with another. It’s not a new thing, so let’s look a little further at what the Bible says.

The Bible warns against the mingling of truth with falsehood, light with darkness. The apostle Paul, in his second letter to the Corinthians, implores believers to be vigilant, declaring, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" (2 Corinthians 6:14). Syncretism, in its essence, attempts to reconcile conflicting beliefs, often diluting the purity of the Gospel message while giving more or equal weight to cultural norms. When Christianity is entwined with ideologies and practices contrary to its foundational truths, the very bedrock of our faith is jeopardized. Just as a house built on a shaky foundation is susceptible to collapse, a Christian faith watered down with culture becomes vulnerable to distortion and spiritual erosion.

The danger of mixing truth with the relativism of culture lies not only in blatant contradictions but also in subtle compromises that arise from the desire to adapt Christianity to fit prevailing cultural views. In an era that celebrates diversity and inclusivity, there is a growing temptation to dilute the exclusivity of Christ's claims. However, the Bible asserts, "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). Offering a compromise to what Jesus says isn’t just obscuring the narrow way that leads to eternal life, it will lead to death for those who seek another way to be saved.

A familiar biblical example of the clash of truth and culture is found in the story of the Israelites fashioning a golden calf during Moses' absence on Mount Sinai (Exodus 32). Faced with uncertainty and impatience, they sought to blend their knowledge of the one true God with the pagan practices they had witnessed in Egypt. The result was a distorted and counterfeit expression of worship.

Likewise, when we succumb to the pressures of societal expectations and compromise the core tenets of our faith, we risk fashioning our own golden calves. These may take the form of diluted doctrines, secular ideologies “baptized” with Christian language, or an amalgamation of spiritual practices that deviate from the pure worship God desires.

To guard against the encroachment of shifting cultural norms, every Christian must diligently engage with the Scriptures, allowing them to serve as a litmus test for the beliefs and practices we adopt. The psalmist declares, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." (Psalm 119:130). In the radiant light of God's Word, the distortions of the truth are exposed, enabling us to navigate the complexities of culture without compromising our convictions.

And don’t forget prayer. We need to seek God’s guidance, wisdom, and discernment. As we align our hearts with His, we cultivate a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, who convicts and directs us away from the allure of compromise.

In a world that clamors for conformity, the call to Christian distinctiveness resounds with increasing urgency. The danger of syncretism is not merely a theological concern but a practical challenge that confronts all believers in our daily lives. To navigate the currents of cultural change, we must stand firm on the unshakable foundation of God's Word, resisting the subtle seductions that threaten to dilute the purity our faith.

God calls us to be people marked by holiness (1 Peter 1:15) and to have an unwavering devotion to knowing only “Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2). This means boldly proclaiming the exclusive truth of Christ even in the face of cultural pressures. Doing this will not only safeguard our own souls but we’ll also become beacons of light in a world searching for truth amidst the shifting shadows of culture.

Hear these words from Jesus and let’s be the kind of people who love and cling to His truth.

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” (John 17:15-19)