Survey Says
February 2022 |
Truth. It either is or it isn’t. Many things are presented as truth but cannot stand the test of time. Sooner or later, they are exposed as being anything but the truth. There are times when the false narrative is appealing to the masses. They want it to be true so much that they accept it as truth without any further investigation.
Simply because the majority says it is true, many accept it as truth. Truth should never be determined through surveys. The more important a statement is, the more important it is to make sure that its truth is based on its own merit and not determined by “Survey says!”
True Doctrine Will Always Be True Doctrine
True doctrines are teachings that are based on the proper interpretation of the Bible. This is called objective truth. It would be the same for you as it is for me. It would be the same from one generation to another. Objective truth is not based on opinion. It is not based on popular social trends, and it is certainly not based on up-to-date surveys.
Truth By Consensus
There is a move in the church today that is undermining the authority of God’s Word. It challenges the traditional doctrines of Christianity. It is commonly called “truth by consensus.” It begins with discussing Scripture in a group setting. Opinions are presented and discussed. The group establishes the truth only when an overall consensus is arrived at as to the meaning of that Scripture. It is, in effect, another form of “survey says.” The clear and obvious danger is the possibility of the group being swayed by a silver-tongued orator. Although the arguments may be compelling, the conclusions attained may not be the biblical truth.
Tearing Down Of Christianity
One of the groups promoting “truth by consensus” advocates the deliberate tearing down of traditional Christian doctrine. Why? So they can rebuild a more modern relevant Christianity. In the process, many of the established truths of Christianity are falling by the wayside: the virgin birth, gone; the born-again experience, gone; Jesus as being the only way to the Father, gone; and, as a result, a holy walk before God, gone.
New And Improved Christianity
They advertise a Christianity that is friendly to all religions. One of the leaders affirms that one could be a Hindu Christian without accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. All doctrines are on the table. All are subject to change. This new and improved Christianity is neither new nor is it improved. Will we even recognize Christianity at all at the end of their quest? Is this not another Jesus, another gospel, another Spirit (II Cor. 11:4)?
Rightly Dividing The Word
Paul, anointed by the Holy Spirit, wrote most of the New Testament. Not only did Paul teach the precious message of the cross, but he was the scribe God used to give us some of the major doctrines of the New Testament church. No wonder Paul warned Timothy to make sure that he properly interpreted the Holy Scriptures. He said, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness” (II Timothy 2:15-16).
In the Greek, “rightly dividing” is orthotomounta. Literally, it means, “cutting straight.” Paul, a tent maker, knew the importance of cutting straight to have an acceptable finished product. The Levitical priests knew the importance of cutting straight to make sure the sacrifice was acceptable. The Christian needs to “rightly divide” God’s Word to walk in the truth and not in error. God’s truth is neither by “survey says” nor by consensus. God’s truth is arrived at by allowing the Holy Spirit to help us rightly divide the Word of Truth.
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