Does Your Pastor Believe the Bible?
Most people expect to go to church to learn about God and the truth of the Bible.
Most of those people automatically accept that the pastor or preacher believes the Bible literally and completely.
Perhaps they should question that.
“Speed Slider”
Does Your Pastor Believe the Bible? – Transcript
A nationwide survey among a representative sample of America’s Christian pastors shows that a large majority of those pastors do not possess a biblical worldview.
In fact, just slightly more than a third (37%) have a biblical worldview and the majority—62%—possess a hybrid worldview known as Syncretism which is the blending of ideas and applications from a variety of worldviews into a unique but inconsistent combination that represents their personal preferences.
More than six out of 10 pastors (62%) have a predominantly syncretistic worldview.
The modern picture of a false teacher is the cult leader dressed in robes, uniforms, or clothing that sets them apart from followers and carrying staffs, medallions, books, or other objects that suggest spiritual or ideological power.
However, there should be a real concern that today’s false teacher looks much more like the average pastor and the above research and a number of others like it provides the evidence.
These pastors and teachers are often much loved and probably genuinely believe they’re preaching bible truth.
While the Bible speaks about false teachers we mustn’t think this is just an ancient problem. Half of the pastors surveyed denied one or more of the following Biblical worldview positions:
The Bible is accurate in its teaching.
Jesus was sinless.
Satan exists as a real being.
God is omnipotent and omniscient.
Salvation is by grace alone.
We’re given the responsibility to evangelize. 1 Timothy 2:4 says (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
Paul teaches us that the front line of the spiritual battle is within the Christian community.
The Galatians were being deceived by those teaching ‘another gospel’ Let’s see Galatians 1:6-9,
I (that’s Paul) marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
Paul was afraid that the Corinthians would also fall captive to false teachers preaching ‘another Jesus’, ‘another spirit’, and ‘another gospel’. 2 Corinthians 11:3-4) says,
But I (Paul again) fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Later in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 Paul shows that false teachers look like the ‘apostles of Christ’ and ‘ministers of righteousness’,
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
If it’s true that appearances can be deceiving then who do we trust and more importantly, what do we believe?
We must go back to studying the source and learn what the Bible really says. This is the only safeguard against false teachers and false teaching.
When we do this and undertake a systematic study of God’s Word to mankind we’ll find that the answer is the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery in Romans 16:25,
Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
We can’t teach the Bible any old way, we must rightly divide it into the correct contexts, the ages and times that have been revealed piece by piece by God over many centuries.
As 2 Timothy 2:15-16 says,
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.
A failure to rightly divide the context, the ages and the times of the Bible effects the spiritual growth and eternal destiny of deceived millions. Romans 16:17-18 confirms this,
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
If you’re in a church with one of these pastors then get out as fast as you can and then learn how to rightly divide and therefore understand God’s Word.
This poll we give a link to in the transcript relates to America but comparing America’s vast recognition that God is real to most other western nations suggest that in our nation of Australia these false teaching statistics are far worse.
