Christian Truth Wars
by Van Robison
No one can help but be amused by the
endless "Christian" websites, teachings,
denominations, and doctrines that inundate our lives,
all purporting to be "the truth". It is a "Christian"
smorgasbord of colorful teachings, with entrees of
many different flavors. It is a world of mass
confusion. What do we put on our plate to consume? Is
it really the "truth" or just the traditions of men?
Christians are highly sensitive to being challenged
about their "sacred" beliefs. Emotions often run high.
Friendships tarnish. Relationships falter. We are like
little children, fighting and squabbling over toys.
There is very little we can agree on. We are each
certain, we "know truth", where others are "deceived".
Our brand of truth is the organic truth, and yours is
fertilized with deception. Only God Himself can really
open the minds and hearts to real truth. God is only
understood by the Holy Spirit, and not by the natural
mind of man. The amazing thing is that even among
professing "Spirit filled" believers, there are many
different beliefs which conflict. No doubt it will
always be this way, as long as there is human life,
and human nature.
The basis, foundation, core, and heart of everything about
life, is in Jesus Christ. Whether many people ever believe
in Jesus Christ, or accept Him as God in the flesh, does
not alter truth. God alone is the author of truth, life,
and everything created. Ultimately, the only winners in
life are those who live for eternity. Some say human beings
are "immortal", but I have yet to see an "immortal" human
being. The only human beings I have ever known all
eventually died, or will die, and turn back to dirt. Life
is given by Almighty God, and is obviously not a
self-immortal existence.
Humans are obsessed with "leadership", both in the secular
world, and in churchianity, and in religion in general. Men
love to play the role of "God" in the lives of others.
Leaders feign they are only "servants", while they scalp
people for their money, for loyalty, and followers. Leaders
love to make disciples of themselves. Few really point
others to Jesus Christ who alone is the source of Living
Waters, but they make people believe by their conduct and
fruits in their lives, that they are the source of life.
Leaders claim their church or their denomination is the
"way". Leaders convince others that their leadership is
"ordained" by Christ, and they are entitled to authority
over your life and thinking, as well as entitled to your
money. Leaders exalt themselves with flattering titles to
make followers think they are knowledgeable. If a leader is
Dr. Truth, then he must be an "expert", and since he is an
"expert", and we are not, then we should follow him,
because he has a fake honorary title, or a degree earned
from the University of Truth.
"Christian truth wars" have been raging for thousands of
years. Christian leaders have grouped people into two basic
classes of people, which are the leaders, and the
followers. The leaders lead their followers down many
different paths of beliefs. Some leaders claim they are
Roman Catholics, while others claim they are Baptist,
Mormon, Jehovah Witnesses, Methodists, Worldwide Church of
God, Pentecostal, Charismatic, or name your brand and
flavor. Christian truth wars are alive and well, and
forever advancing through life, vacuuming up as many
followers as possible. I am right, and you are wrong is the
Christian truth war motto. Many claim that if you do not
believe and accept what they teach, then you are certainly
"going to hell". Leaders keep people captive by making
followers afraid, or by fear, or by the promise of
blessings for doing as they say.
What is truth? Virtually everyone claims title to truth.
Some say keep the 10-commandments or perish. Others say,
"go to church" or perish. Some say keep the Saturday
Sabbath or perish. Some say go to church on Sunday. Some
claim there is a rapture. Some say there is no rapture.
Some say we are living in the end times, while others say
the opposite. Some claim Jesus Christ was a good man and a
prophet, but not God, while others say, as I do that Jesus
Christ was and is God Almighty. Some say "obey your
pastors", and some, as I do say the only real
Pastor/Shepherd is Jesus Christ. Some claim you will be
blessed by "sewing seed money" into their ministries, and
by tithing, while others say, as I do that giving is
between the individual and God, and is not the business of
preachers, and that giving to the poor is more honorable
than giving to preachers who live on church welfare.
What is truth? Do you follow Jesus Christ, or do you follow
"leaders" of men? If you believe that you follow Jesus
Christ, and your loyalty is to "leaders", churches,
denominations, and doctrines of men, and you file into
their stained glass window buildings every week to be
taught by them, who is really your shepherd? Is your
teacher Jesus Christ or leaders? Is your counselor Jesus
Christ or leaders? Is your savior Jesus Christ or leaders?
Are your sins forgiven by Jesus Christ, or by leaders? Is
your loyalty to Jesus Christ or to your "pastor"? Is your
local church the living waters of life, or is Jesus Christ
the Living Waters of life? If you follow Jesus Christ, are
you a "Blessed are the peacemakers", or do you go to war
against other nations of people on the pretense of fighting
for freedom? If you follow Jesus Christ, are you "Blessed
are the meek, and Blessed are the poor in spirit", or do
you exalt yourself with flattering titles, because you love
the praise of men? If you follow Jesus Christ do you make
yourself of no reputation as Jesus did, or do you call
yourself "reverend" or "doctor" or "senior pastor" because
you make yourself a reputation by doing so? Do you take up
your cross and follow Jesus Christ, or do you take up your
cross and follow leaders?
What is truth?
