How Does God’s Promise To “Bless Those Who Bless Abram” Apply Today?

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Dr. Will Varner, Professor of Bible and Greek at The Master’s College

“Now the LORD said to Abram … I will bless you, and make your name great; and so you shall be a blessing; and I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse.  And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed” (Genesis 12:3).

The above passage from Genesis has been a topic of debate for time immemorial?  (It came up last week in our discussion about Ron Paul’s views on Israel.)  So what exactly does it mean God will “bless those who bless Abram”?

Was that blessing for those who lived just during the time of Abram or did it extend to his descendants as well?  And if to his descendants, does that mean both Jews, from his son Isaac, and also Arabs from his son Ishmael?

And how are we to “bless Abram”?  Does “we” refer to individuals or nations or both?  What does “blessing Abram” mean for the United States and our relationship with the secular state of Israel?  And what about the common Christian belief that the Jews and the nation of Israel have been replaced in the “favored” or “chosen” category by the church?

As you can see, there are lots of questions to ponder when it comes to understanding what God’s call for Christians is when it comes to the Jews and Israel.  Fortunately, our guest on Saturday, Dr. Will Varner, has insight and experience with this issue.  Dr. Varner is professor of Bible and Greek at The Master’s College and is the director of their Israel Bible Extension program.

We will also hear from Dr. Wess Stafford, the president of Compassion International, one of the world’s most respected, gospel-centered child development organizations.  If you haven’t had the chance yet to find a child to sponsor as part of The Christian Worldview FaithWorks Initiative with Compassion International, click here or call toll free 1-855-549-7535.

The Master’s College Essay Contest 2010 Winner – Aubrea Wagner!

Announcing The Master’s College Essay Contest 2010 Winner:
AUBREA WAGNER of Platteville, Wisconsin

Congratulations to Aubrea Wagner, the grand prize winner of The Master’s College Essay Contest 2010.  We were overwhelmed by the quality (and quantity!) of the essays.  I want to compliment all the entrants on putting in the thought and time to submit an essay.  This was an extremely difficult decision for the team of judges at the college.  We have posted the top five essays below (2-5 are in alphabetical order) and think you will really enjoy reading them.  The excellence of these essays gives us great reason for encouragement about this generation of Christian students.

Aubrea Wagner from Platteville, Wisconsin – WINNER!
Elisa Adams from Santa Clarita, California
Kristen Craig from Plainfield, Indiana
David Eller from Los Angeles, California
Alexandria Loden from Georgetown, Texas

As a thank you to all the entrants, you will be receiving a complimentary copy of “Right Thinking in a World Gone Wrong” by John MacArthur, president of The Master’s College.

The Importance of Inerrancy

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Guest: Dr. Abner Chou, Associate Professor of Biblical Studies, The Master’s College

The inerrancy of Scripture is a pivotal doctrine. Christian institutions and individuals come down on different sides of this issue and the ramifications are huge.

Is the Bible really without any errors? Can it be trusted to be the perfect Word of God? How does inerrancy relate to infallibility? And why is inerrancy so important?

Abner Chou, the “Teacher of the Year” Read more

A Case for Christian High Education – Part II

Guest Blogger: Lee Duncan, Dean of Administration, The Master’s College

(continued from last week)

LifeWay Research, affiliated with the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, recently reported that 7 out of 10 Protestants between the ages of 18 and 30 will quit attending church by age 23.  Young people are walking away from the church in record numbers.  Well-known researcher, George Barna, describes the results of his surveys among evangelical teens that represent this generation:

• They are a mixture of many ideals and philosophies,
• They have fluid relationships,
• They cut and paste their values, and they see spiritual issues as a mixture of many beliefs.
• The two most important parts to their lives are relationships and experiences, and 96% of their time in relationships is with friends, not parents.
• They are most impacted by the media, averaging 4-6 hours a day.  This generation is over-stimulated, over-exposed, and under-protected.
• Music has the greatest affect on teens as it provides a forum for common experiences with their friends.  They learn philosophy, select friends, pick heroes, set values, choose lifestyles, and copy the language of the music they listen to.
• There is very little difference between the music and movies of saved and unsaved teens.
• Because teens are overwhelmed with the media, most do not know how to examine things critically or Biblically.
• Their top goals in life are fun and personal fulfillment.
• Fewer than 10% of teens think seriously about moral or ethical issues.
• They believe truth is relative, not absolute, and actually . . . not very important anyway!
• They are not logic-based, but experienced-based . . . they go with what works for them.
• They are self-centered and waver on moral issues; faith is experience-based and depends day-to-day on how they feel.
• 86% of teens surveyed said they believed they are a Christian, but only 33% can explain what it means to be a Christian and how one can become a Christian.
• 50% say they are committed to their faith, but only 4% say they want a serious walk with God.
• They go to church for a common experience with friends, not because they want to worship God or learn from the Bible.  They are less likely to attend church as an adult when their tribe of friends drifts apart.
• 66% say that the gods of all religions are really the one and same God.
• 66% say that the Holy Spirit and Satan are not real, but just symbols of good and evil.
• 60% say that reading the Bible is not important.

It is my personal view that the culture is winning the day and Christian families are losing at an ever-increasing rate.  Christian education is needed now more than ever!  Therefore, let us look at the initial questions raised in this essay.

Who should teach children?  The biblical answer is that parents are responsible for the education of their children.  Some parents choose to homeschool their children and have a direct hands-on connection in the educational process.  Others choose to enlist the help of Christian schools where the curriculum, teachers, and philosophy match their own goals and beliefs.  Any other educational choice that is secular diminishes the role of God and His truth in the educational process.  The bottom line is that parents must be directly involved in education and know who is teaching their children, what they are teaching, and whether or not it agrees with Scripture.

It is recognized that not all parents can homeschool or afford Christian schools for their children; however, the responsibility is still theirs to ensure that their children be taught Scripture and be given a biblical worldview.  Parents who seek the help of Christian schools need to be involved and know that the school is staying true to God’s Word.  Those who have their children in secular private schools or public schools have a boatload of work to do to undo the incorrect philosophies, historical revisionism, and anti-biblical teachings that are given to their children daily.  When parents say, “Well, education is what it is . . . my child will survive,” they are surrendering their children to inconsistency, confusion, and ultimately, a secular value system and worldview.

Do parents have the freedom to choose any school or any form of education they wish?  The answer is not a simple “yes.”  All believers are ultimately accountable to God for their decisions.  We in America like to think that we live in a Christian nation and have the freedom to do what we wish; however, true freedom is the ability to do what is right, not the ability to do what we want.  Parents who make wrong choices suffer the consequences of their decisions and that is why so many young people are leaving the faith as soon as they leave the home.

Is Christian education necessary?  While the average child spends 10-15 minutes of personal time with his/her parents each day, teachers spend 4-5 hours with children each day.  Teachers have an enormous impact on how children think and what they view as correct.  Parents are seldom the most important role models in the lives of children anymore; they have been replaced by friends, famous people, rock stars, and professional athletes.  Well-liked teachers also rank higher than parents on most surveys when it comes to influence.  Parents seldom know very much about those who teach their children in public schools . . . they just assume that they are “good folks.”  While there are some very good, moral, and faithful teachers in public schools, there are also many who strongly believe the opposite of all that the Bible teaches and view it as their mission to free the children from old-fashioned and bigoted parents who still believe in biblical truth.

Should Christian students be salt and light in public education?  Scriptural commands to be salt and light are addressed to adult believers as they live in the world.  It is a stretch to say that God intends for children to go into the public sector and challenge those in authority who are far better equipped and experienced in their own secular worldviews.  Why would we expect Christian young people who are in their most impressionable time of growth to challenge mature teachers who will attack their faith?  In reality, most Christian students in public schools challenge no one; they simply stay quiet and try to avoid any confrontation.

I view sending young Christians into the public schools the same as sending troops into Iraq without any weapons . . . totally unprepared for what they will face.  There might be a rare exception to this, but in over 30 years in education, I have yet to meet someone who said, “I was saved in the public school by one of my classmates being salt and light.”  I believe the greater influence is in the other direction, more Christian young people are lost to the world than are won to Christ in the public school system.  Christian teachers in the public schools are legally obligated not to be an open witness, so I am not sure where the salt and light occurs.  My own opinion is that parents who use the salt and light argument are simply trying to justify and rationalize their decision with spiritual words.  Their children are not ready for battle and they will without question be impacted by their learning environment and unsaved teachers.

If Christian education is important for children in Kindergarten through Grade 12, what then about education on the college level . . . is higher Christian education really necessary?  Scripture states that learning is a spiritual process, not simply an academic exercise.  All learning is spiritual; therefore, those who sit at the feet of secular educators are taking in what they teach into their hearts.  There are some occasions where a specific vocational calling is not available in a Christian college or university, but it is my experience that few graduating high school students look very hard to find Christian options.  Those who seek a secular education are looking for all that a secular school offers:  great facilities, freedom of expression, few rules or expectations, and the prestige of a well-known college or university.  It is also my experience that most high school graduates are not spiritually mature enough to take on secular professors in the area of faith and philosophy.  Many believe that they are ready . . . but research reveals that 7 out of 10 students who enter the secular college or university walk away from their faith.

Does God care what high school graduates do?  Yes, He does; in 1 Timothy 4:12, God says, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”  The Apostle Paul debated the philosophers and teachers in Athens who would “spend their time in nothing except telling or hearing something new” (Acts 17:21).  What did Paul say to them?  “Seek God” (Acts 17:27).
I contend that what is best for Christian young people is that they attend a Christian college or university.  First, learning is a spiritual process; learning takes place in the heart which is the true inner person that includes intellect, emotions, will, appetites, desires, and dreams.  Learning cannot be isolated from the heart; all learning comes into the heart and impacts beliefs, understanding, and knowledge.  Learning is also based on relationships; all who learn develop connected relationships with their teachers who impact them deeply.  Most college graduates reflect the thinking and ideals of their professors.  Even though secular colleges and universities may be less expensive, provide better facilities, provide higher social status, and promise greater financial reward, education still remains at its core to be a spiritual endeavor intended to integrate the truth of God into all areas of life.

Steve Henderson, President of Christian Consulting for Colleges and Ministries, wrote an article in March 2006 entitled “A Question of Price Versus Cost.”  Here are Henderson’s main arguments to support his contention that parents who send students to secular institutions place their children at great risk:

• The college years are pivotal years in a child’s growth and development.  They enter college as teens and leave as adults.  Their core values, worldview, way of thinking, and lifestyle choices are cemented during their college years.  “College years are a time when core values from childhood are tested, sorted, and prioritized in ways that often will last a lifetime.  It is the time when people move from an imposed faith to an owned faith” (p. 2).
• Attending a secular institution tremendously impacts the spiritual life of Christian students.  “The results of nearly 25 years of research consistently reveal that those who do not attend a Christ-centered college will experience a decline in religious values, attitudes, and behaviors during college” (p. 2).
• The percentages of students who claim to be Christians before entering a secular college and then claim not to be a Christian when finishing college are astounding.  Railsback & Henderson (2006) found in their research that 52% of students who claimed to be born-again no longer claimed to be a Christian or attended church after leaving a secular college (p. 2).  Reported in USA Today, Ed Stetzer of Nashville-based LifeWay Research revealed in an extensive study of over 1000 evangelical Christian young people between the ages of 18-30 that 7 out of 10 of them walked away from their faith (p. 1).  The secular world is not friendly to faith, and parents who send their children to secular institutions as a way to save money are taking a gigantic risk.
• Professors at educational institutions have a tremendous impact on students; they are the mentors, guides, experts, and friends who act as parents when students are away from home.  In a March 29, 2005, Washington Post article by Howard Kurtz, titled “Study Finds College Faculties a Most Liberal Lot,” the author reported that his research revealed that most secular educators on college campuses “disdain Christianity.”  Among professors, 72% identify themselves as liberal, 84% support abortion, and 67% approve of homosexuality (Henderson, p. 3).  Parents, do you really want to entrust your developing child into the care of these professors?

Railsback & Henderson (2006) examined research from 16,000 students from 133 different post-secondary institutions.  Students were surveyed as they entered college and then surveyed again three years later to see how their views had changed.  Here are the results:
There is a correlation between the type of colleges students choose and what happens to their religious faith during their college years.
Students who choose a secular, independent, state, Presbyterian, or Catholic affiliated institution have the largest decline in religious commitment.
Students who attend independent Protestant or Baptist affiliated institutions report the largest increase in religious commitment.
In many cases, the more conservative the student’s denominational background, the greater the negative change in religious commitment when attending a secular college, university, or junior college (p. 3-4).

In summary, there are many benefits in attending a Christian college or university and many dangerous consequences of attending a secular college or university.  Scripture affirms that education is spiritual in nature and that all education affects learners one way or another.  God intends that parents teach their children spiritual truth and model a biblical worldview for them to emulate.  Christian families today are facing a contest of values with a secular culture that is winning the battle.  Only those who are willing to take on the culture and take control of their children’s education will see their children come through their education with the same beliefs that they were taught in the home.  Those who attend a Christian college or university most often find their spouse for life, make life-long friends, and connect with certain circles of ministries that give them spiritual direction for the rest of their lives.

Christian education is much more that taking Bible classes with a Christian teacher.  Christian education is what provides a foundation for life that includes a biblical worldview, the ability to discern truth from error, the skill of applying God’s truth to daily life, and the benefit of God’s blessing on their lives and families.  This is a case for Christian education, not just for elementary and secondary grades, but also for higher education where life-long beliefs are settled and established.  Christian colleges and universities that hold to the truth of Scripture and who elevate the person and work of Christ can change the lives of students forever.  It is worth the effort, it is worth the cost, it is worth the commitment.  To do otherwise is simply not wise at all.

REFERENCES

Barclay, W. (1959).  Train up a child:  Educational ideals in the ancient world.
Philadelphia, PA:  Westminster Press.

Grossman, C. (2007).  “Young Adults Aren’t Sticking With Church.”  USA Today, retrieved
October 10, 2008 at  HYPERLINK “http://usatoday.com/news/religion/2007-08-06-churchdropouts_N.htm”

Henderson, Steve (2006).  A Question of Price versus Cost.  Retrieved September 9, 2008 at
HYPERLINK “http://christiancollegeguide.net/advertorials/ct/questionofpriceversuscost.html”

Krieger, L., Mickelson, G., & Alexander, K. (2007).  State Community Colleges Struggling to Meet
Student Needs.  Retrieved March 21, 2007 from  HYPERLINK “http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/ archive/ 2007/ March/20/local/stories/02local.htm”

“LifeWay Research Uncovers Reasons 18 to 22 Year Olds Drop Out of Church.  Retrieved Oct.
10, 2008 at HYPERLINK “http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/article_main_page”

McDowell, J. 1994).  Right from wrong.  Nashville, TN:  W Publishing Group.

Stimpfel, S. (2008).  “Giving Community College Students a Leg Up.”  Education Digest, Sept.
2008, Volume 74, No. 1, pp. 50-53.

Tenney, M. (Ed.) (1975).  The Zondervan pictorial encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2).
Grand Rapids, MI:  Zondervan Publishing House.

A Case for Christian High Education – Part I

Guest Blogger: Lee Duncan, Dean of Administration, The Master’s College
Christian parents throughout history have been faced with questions regarding the education of their children.  Who should teach children?  What schools should Christian children attend?  Does God care what kind of education is chosen by parents?  Is Christian education a conviction or a preference?  Is it God’s plan that Christian students be salt and light in public education?  Once Christian teens have graduated from high school, is higher Christian education really necessary?

These questions deserve thoughtful answers; however, the first and most important question to ask is this:  “Is Scripture applicable to modern culture?”  If we answer “yes” to this question, then we must investigate what Scripture says regarding the education of children?  It is sad but true that many parents say “no” to this question and believe that Old Testament and New Testament commands are not directly applicable to modern life.  If Scripture is our foundation for life, then it is important to consider what the Bible says about the duties of parents to educate their children in the truth of God.  While education today is different than education in biblical Israel, the Bible gives clear principles regarding the education of children. By looking at the history of Jewish education and Bible’s book on education (Proverbs), parents can find powerful evidence of what God expects from them.

William Barclay (1957) said, “No nation has ever set the child in the midst more deliberatively than the Jews did . . . For the Jew, the child was the most important person in the community” (p. 11).  Abraham was honored by God for his careful attention in educating his children:  “For I have chosen him that he may command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing righteousness and justice” (Gen. 18:19).  Moses later stated to the nation of Israel:  “Hear O Israel, The Lord our God, the Lord is one.  You shall love the Lord your God will all your heart and all your soul and with all your might.  And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart.  You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deut. 6:4-7).  Solomon commanded parents, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Parents are clearly responsible for the education of their children in the truth of God.

Education in early Israel was always spiritual in nature.  While education in nearby Egypt and Mesopotamia focused on vocational success and service to the state, Jewish education focused on success in knowing God and serving Him.  The first schools in Israel were designed for young men dedicated to the office of prophet (located in Ramah, Bethel, and Gilgal), and for young men dedicated to the service of the Tabernacle.  Such was the case for Samuel under Eli’s instruction (2 Sam. 3:1).  What made Israel unique was that its education was always spiritual in nature and purpose.

When Solomon became king he formed royal schools where professional teachers and tutors taught various subjects; however, instruction was primarily spiritual instruction.  Proverbs became a text used by parents and teachers in the educational setting.  Proverbs presented specific learning goals for students, identified skills needed by students, and the responsibilities of students in the learning process.  It also identified the responsibilities of parents/teachers to teach, listed the skills needed to teach effectively, and provided at least 22 specific teaching methods for parents/teachers to use.  Proverbs provided a biblical model for spiritual education.  According to Tenney (1975), the purposes of Jewish education were to transmit the history of Israel as a nation, to teach the ordinances of God, to teach ethics, to teach wisdom living, and to teach a moral lifestyle (p. 209).  These goals are quite different than the goals set for modern secular education.

Education after the Babylonian Exile became even more important as Israel sought to retain its identity, beliefs, and culture through education.  Israel was surrounded by a foreign culture that was antagonistic toward God and they realized how important a biblical education was for their children.  Elementary schools were formed in connection to local synagogues and education became a primary purpose in Jewish life.  After Israel returned to Palestine after the Exile, synagogues and schools were formed all across the nation.  In A.D. 64 Joshua ben Gamala issued an edict that required all boys over the age of 6 or 7 to attend local synagogue schools.  Israel then had a national school system; however, what was most important was that Jewish education was clearly spiritual in nature and Scripture was the main textbook.

Why take the time to review the history of Jewish education?  The reason to do so is to establish that the #1 purpose of education is to transmit the truth of God to future generations.  Scripture presents that education is chiefly spiritual, not secular.  We in America have come a long way from this viewpoint; modern education is all about secular philosophies, cultural ideals, societal conformity, vocational success, and personal fulfillment.  Parents today are much more concerned that their children learn how to make a living than to be taught how to live.  Christian parents assume that it is the church’s responsibility to teach children Bible stories, ethical principles, and how to live the Christian life; however, they also assume that it is the responsibility of the public schools to teach their children academic knowledge and cultural norms.  Josh McDowell (1994) states, “The most important change in education in the last fifty years has not occurred in schools; it has occurred in the minds of parents who no longer take primary responsibility for their children’s education” (p. 41).  Scripture nowhere releases parents from their responsibility to oversee the education of their children and to insure that the education is spiritual, not secular in nature.  The command of Proverbs 22:6 is clearly aimed at parents:  “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”

Why was biblical education important to parents in the past?  It was because knowing God and pleasing God in life were the highest goals a family could have.  Parents were far more concerned with the character of their children then they were with their financial or vocational success.  Today Christian children often attend secular schools for academic opportunities, to find athletic success that might lead to professional sports, or simply because it is free and convenient.  Our culture has swayed the minds of parents to look at new priorities for life: financial well-being, acceptance in prestigious universities, and social recognition.

I contend that our culture is attacking the Christian family just like the Babylonian culture attacked the families of Israel.  They responded by forming schools that taught spiritual truth and maintained their identity as a nation that followed God.  American Christians have chosen a different path and the results are evident in the character of our young people.  Modern research is charting the changing character of this generation of young people.  An article by Associated Press writer David Crary (Monday, Dec. 1, 2008) entitled “Students Admit Stealing, Cheating” reported that 30% of U.S. high school students surveyed admitted to stealing from a store in the last year.  In addition, 64% said that they cheated on a test in the past year, 36% admitted that they used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment, and 42% said that they lied to save money.  Michael Josephson, founder of the Josephson Institute in Los Angeles, surveyed 29,760 students in randomly selected high schools in America.  He found that 35% of boys and 26% of girls admitted to stealing from stores in the past year and 23% admitted to stealing from a parent or relative.  In addition, 93% of the surveyed students said that they were satisfied with their personal ethics.  These results are significantly higher than similar surveys taken in 2006, thus indicating that honesty and integrity are headed down a slippery slope in the wrong direction.  (part 2 next week)

Cultural Faith…Is It Real Faith?

GUEST BLOGGER: Lee Duncan, Dean of Administration, The Master’s College.

Every four years the United States goes through the democratic, sometimes painful, election process to select a new president.  Television and radio ads inundate the electorate with every conceivable spin that promotes certain candidates while denigrating others.  Many Americans stop answering their phones at home because they cannot take any more pre-recorded sales pitches.  Every day we hear news reports, read articles, or receive mail about everything from foreign policies to economic policies to educational reform ideas…all with the theme of how to bring “change” to America.

In recent elections there has been a much greater emphasis on the personal faith of the candidates, including how often they attend church, who is their pastor, what they think about God, and how their faith might influence their leadership and decision-making.  A new kind of politically correct version of faith is emerging among many candidates and it prompts a question…is it real faith?

Not that long ago “faith” was a word that described a particular set of doctrinal beliefs that identified a person’s convictions that affected their lives and decisions.  People would claim a certain denomination or doctrinal view as “their faith,” determined by allegiance to some written authority or church teaching.  Even though not everyone agreed what source was the ultimate authority, at least most people agreed that an outside source was needed as a basis of truth.  That is no longer the case in America.  Today the term faith is used to say that a person believes in something of their own choosing; it does not rely on an external source but each creates his own truth.  Political candidates can stand up and say they have faith without having to submit to the authority of God or Scripture; their faith is their own and frankly, they tell us, it is none of our business what specifically they believe because is it personal.  This is not genuine faith, it is a cultural faith.

Our modern American culture has changed faith into a personal, nebulous, changing, and relative expression of spirituality.  Political candidates stand up and say, “I have faith and it is personal.”  From the position of an outsider, one might conclude that almost every candidate is a Christian who is committed to God.  However, after further review, their faith is nothing more than an admission that they believe in something that they don’t want to talk about.  Unfortunately, that seems enough for the average citizen because to most Americans religion is personal and we certainly don’t want to pry!  Modern Americans are willing to accept that one who has faith is religious, regardless of what that faith entails.  In reality, to state that you have faith today simply means that you consider yourself a spiritual person and that you have the right to believe whatever you choose.  Faith is without accountability.

Biblical faith is something altogether different; it is based on an outside authoritative source that identifies that truth comes from God and is totally consistent with His Word, the Bible.  The essence of the word “faith” is that it is a belief or trust in a higher power.  Faith is a moral and spiritual quality of fidelity to God and confidence in His Word.  “Faith is not simply the assent of the intellect to revealed truth; it is the practical submission of the entire man to the guidance and control of such truth” (Unger, 1957, p. 341).  “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17).  Faith is based on evidence that we can’t see (Heb. 11:1) and is a gift from God.  God grants faith and then sustains faith through His eternal power.  True faith submits to the Word of God; it is God’s view that we follow, His Word that we obey, and His will that we seek.

Political candidates, and yes, most Americans, see faith as something that is individual and that allows every person to believe whatever he or she thinks is right.  All they have to do is say, “I have faith,” or “I am a person of faith,” and they are excused from explaining what they believe and by what authority they make claims to truth.  Politicians say that God’s Word is informative, it is comforting, it is motivating, it is inspiring, but never will you hear one of them say, “It is authoritative.”  Americans like their faith the way they define it and don’t want to be confined to a set of writings that has been handed down through the centuries.  This is how political candidates can claim to be Christians but promote views that absolutely disagree with the Bible.  They have faith all right, but not a biblical faith.  Their faith is of their own making and there is no outside authority to which they must submit.  It is a convenient faith, an easy faith, but ultimately, a coward’s faith because they never have to be accountable for what they believe.

Cultural faith is taking over America; in fact, if you just arrived from Pluto or Saturn you might believe that almost everyone in America is a Christian.  Faith is not faith unless God affirms that it is.  Salvation is through Jesus Christ alone (John 14:6), God is the only source of truth (John 17:17), and God’s Word is His inspired message to mankind (2 Tim. 3:16-17).  Unless faith is connected to these truths, then it is not faith at all.  I am sorry, but faith is not a freedom to express your own views about life, abortion, alternate lifestyles, creation vs. evolution, etc.  Our views only matter as they agree with God’s views.  If you have true faith, your views must come from the one authoritative source that God has given us, His Word the Bible.  Any other faith is simply a cultural faith…and that is not faith at all.