Check the ingredients before you buy
Greetings from Faith Lutheran Church in Eldorado.
More and more people are checking the ingredients to various packaged foods. They want to know if what is in the appealing-looking box is really healthy. What do the words "all-natural ingredients" mean? What are they putting into their body?
I believe that you should also be discerning about what you swallow in the area of religion, doctrine, preaching and teaching. Despite what some may say, Scripture is concerned about sound doctrine. St. Paul writes: "Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. (1 Timothy 6:2-4)
There are various reasons people are drawn to TV evangelists, churches or religions. Many times, it centers around emotions. What does that religious experience make me feel like? Do I feel better? My friend(s) go there so I feel comfortable.
At times I hear this statement, "As long as a church preaches the Bible that is all that matters." This sounds discerning but when asked, "What do you mean 'preach the Bible?'" there is little clarity.
Few churches, preachers or TV evangelists would deny that they don't preach the Bible. Some can systematize their belief system, others seem to avoid it. I have tried a number of times to find a detailed statement of various TV evangelists' beliefs and I have been unsuccessful.
Some ministers have handed me a sheet of paper with about 20 points to explain their churches' belief. This is not completely unhelpful, but it leaves a lot of questions unanswered. Example, "We believe in celebrating the Lord's Supper once a month according to the Lord's command."
OK, so do they use grape juice or wine? What is the Lord's command? Who celebrates it, children, visitors, or non-Christians?
No doubt some literature that churches hand out are not designed to be a complete description of their beliefs. For a deeper understanding they may have catechisms or instructional books. Yet, many people don't care until they finally run across an issue that offends their ideas about their faith. That is similar to finding a dead bug in that appealing looking box of cereal with the all-natural ingredients.
The New Testament church was concerned with what was in the box. They wanted the truth taught and it was not going to be truth for just that single congregation but the entire church. Their pastors were to hold to sound doctrine. Note Paul's charge to Titus: "He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it." Titus 1:9.
My encouragement is to investigate what a church or TV evangelist is confessing, preaching and teaching. Know what's inside the box.
• David Otten is pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Eldorado.