Syncretism, the idea that all religions can be fused into one, is being replaced by Pluralism, a more pragmatic approach because it acknowledges differences but sees them as irrelevant. Pluralism is the ‘equal rights’ of religion. Pluralism promotes tolerance, without which no one in the 21st century will survive.
Pluralism puts Jesus on an equal footing with Buddha, Confucius, and Muhammad. But pluralism requires that we make Christianity more tolerant. Thus, any Scripture that insists on its own primacy must be revised, redacted, reinterpreted or just ignored. Sadly, though, in watering down the Bible, we lose our moral authority to speak out against the new cultural norms of our 21st century—leaving a moral vacuum. Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, so eloquently wrote in his blog, “This is what happens when the Bible is thrown under the bus.”
Some are wondering how we should contend for the authority of the Scriptures without appearing intolerant. Why are we even trying to? It’s time to reclaim the authority and supremacy of the Bible and throw pluralism under the bus!
Showing posts with label throw-away. Show all posts
Showing posts with label throw-away. Show all posts
Monday, August 1, 2011
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
No Deposit; No Return
When I grew up in the 50’s, soft drinks came in glass bottles. You may be surprised to hear this, but even back then, environmentalism was an issue: a national “bottle bill” law required a minimum refundable deposit on beverage containers in order to insure a high rate of recycling and reuse. The deposit-refund system was created to guarantee the return of glass bottles to be washed, refilled, and resold.
As the post-World War II society became more convenience-oriented, there was a shift from refillable “deposit” bottles to “throw-away” bottles and cans. Without making a deposit, you could not expect a return. When this concept was first introduced, the bottles were marked “No Deposit; No Return.”
As a writer, I love to find relevant, contemporary language to illustrate spiritual principles. “No Deposit; No Return” is a great way to express the spiritual law of reciprocity. David said “Your word have I hid [deposited] in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11). Depositing God’s truth in your mind is imperative if you are to recognize a lie when you hear one. How else will you discern the “false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1)? Or how will you be able to "resist [the devil] in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13) as Jesus did when He said: it is written? (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10)
Paul exhorts: “be diligent to study the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); thus building a large depository in your mind and spirit. If you don’t make the deposits, you won’t have anything there when you need it! No Deposit; No Return.
As the post-World War II society became more convenience-oriented, there was a shift from refillable “deposit” bottles to “throw-away” bottles and cans. Without making a deposit, you could not expect a return. When this concept was first introduced, the bottles were marked “No Deposit; No Return.”
As a writer, I love to find relevant, contemporary language to illustrate spiritual principles. “No Deposit; No Return” is a great way to express the spiritual law of reciprocity. David said “Your word have I hid [deposited] in my heart, that I might not sin against you” (Ps. 119:11). Depositing God’s truth in your mind is imperative if you are to recognize a lie when you hear one. How else will you discern the “false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies” (2 Peter 2:1)? Or how will you be able to "resist [the devil] in the evil day" (Eph. 6:13) as Jesus did when He said: it is written? (Matt. 4:4, 7, 10)
Paul exhorts: “be diligent to study the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15); thus building a large depository in your mind and spirit. If you don’t make the deposits, you won’t have anything there when you need it! No Deposit; No Return.
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