In a 2008 Barna survey of 1,871 adults who described themselves as Christian, these troubling worldviews were uncovered:
How can a nation live their lives as God's Word directs, if many in the body of Christ do not read the Bible, or do not understand what they are reading?
I've met a significant number of Christians that are convinced that having their own personal interpretation of God's Word is permissible, even endorsed. This dangerous position has been the result of a significant number of those not grounded in God's Word, yet claiming to be Christians, having yielded to the forceful, postmodern voices demanding that truth is relative, and not absolute.
Centuries ago, in Egypt, Pharaoh had two dreams. The dreams were from God. God had chosen to speak to Pharaoh through these dreams, but Pharaoh didn't know the Lord and he didn't have the interpretation of the dreams. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to hear an account of the dreams, that they might be interpreted correctly. Joseph made it rather clear that it wasn't for him to interpret the dreams. Listen to Joseph's sage counsel...
Joseph understood something that we should all understand. He understood that God's word was not to be interpreted by man. Joseph understand that God was the only One qualified to interpret His own word. Man's responsibility is not to interpret the Word of God, but rather to discover God's interpretation of His own Word.
In some upcoming posts to this blog, I'll be sharing some principles and tips on how to discover God's interpretation of His Word. Stay tuned!
"Four out of ten Christians (40%) strongly agreed that Satan is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.”This is frustrating because it proves that a significant percentage of those who describe themselves as Christians (1) are not reading their Bible, and/or (2) do not know how to read the Bible in a way that results in them understanding God's Word.
"Although a core teaching of the Christian faith is the divinity and perfection of Jesus Christ, tens of millions of Christians do not accept that teaching."
"Much like their perceptions of Satan, most Christians do not believe that the Holy Spirit is a living force, either. Overall, 38% strongly agreed and 20% agreed somewhat that the Holy Spirit is 'a symbol of God’s power or presence but is not a living entity.'”
How can a nation live their lives as God's Word directs, if many in the body of Christ do not read the Bible, or do not understand what they are reading?
I've met a significant number of Christians that are convinced that having their own personal interpretation of God's Word is permissible, even endorsed. This dangerous position has been the result of a significant number of those not grounded in God's Word, yet claiming to be Christians, having yielded to the forceful, postmodern voices demanding that truth is relative, and not absolute.
Centuries ago, in Egypt, Pharaoh had two dreams. The dreams were from God. God had chosen to speak to Pharaoh through these dreams, but Pharaoh didn't know the Lord and he didn't have the interpretation of the dreams. Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to hear an account of the dreams, that they might be interpreted correctly. Joseph made it rather clear that it wasn't for him to interpret the dreams. Listen to Joseph's sage counsel...
'Do not interpretations belong to God?' Gen 40:8 NASU
Joseph understood something that we should all understand. He understood that God's word was not to be interpreted by man. Joseph understand that God was the only One qualified to interpret His own word. Man's responsibility is not to interpret the Word of God, but rather to discover God's interpretation of His own Word.
In some upcoming posts to this blog, I'll be sharing some principles and tips on how to discover God's interpretation of His Word. Stay tuned!
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