Christianity: Then and Now

Are you being properly taught the Word of God? To know if you are, let us compare the teaching methods of our Lord Jesus Christ with the methods of modern pastors.

The majority of modern preachers like to fill their sermons with quotes from philosophers and popular life-enhancement gurus. They agree with modern church leaders and tend to shy away from the meat of the Word, focusing instead on fluffy stuff like ‘Is Social Media Evil?’ and ‘Ghosts’ and other conciliatory items that can hardly even be categorized as Christian.

How did Jesus Christ teach? How did He view the teachers of his day, the wise men, the philosophers, the church leaders?

The methods of Jesus’ teachings are the opposite of modern preachers. He rejected the sayings of the teachers of His day, and instead quoted scripture. Who did he excoriate? Was it unbelievers? Those living in poverty? No, our Lord Jesus condemned the corruption of the church authorities. He disputed their traditions and rituals. He overturned their money-changing tables. He Pointed out their sins and proved their methods to be contrary to Scripture—by quoting Scripture!

This should be our method today. In two millennia the methods have changed, but the message has not. Perhaps we would be better served (and better servants) if we wound the clock back and followed the example our Lord Jesus employed. We need to get back to Jesus. Let’s start by following His way of teaching.

Jeremiah 6:16 offers far better advice than anything coming off the pulpits today: ‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls.’

Hebrews 5:12-13 explains the flaw in the teaching methods of church leaders during Jesus’ time, and it explains the flaw in the teaching methods of church leaders in our time: ‘Though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe.’

Contemporary ‘theological experts’ would have us believe that, because times have changed, this has necessitated a change in the way we teach and learn our faith.

This is complete hogwaller. Just read those verses above again. Notice how remarkably poignant they are to today’s issues. With the churchliness and self-improvement shtick and obsessive focus being on the Church instead of on its Head, and with the watering down of Scripture to create a larger all-inclusive faith, it is clear that our leaders are, at best, mere babes in Christ. It is also just as clear that we desperately need someone to teach us again the first principles of our faith.

Unfortunately all our teachers are too busy focusing on the self-improvement programs touted by New Age and New Thought leaders who are more interested in being accepted by the world as tolerant of pretty much everything, than in honoring our Creator and Savior.

Their quotes may sound uplifting and motivational, but they often seem to miss the point of church, and sometimes even forego Christianity altogether to teach a more passive seven faiths fellowship that borders on blasphemy.

Jesus taught us to love our neighbors, not accept their sins. What do you think the point of the Pentateuch was? It was to make vividly clear to us that we (like the Israelites) must serve only one God; we must be careful to avoid being influenced and corrupted by other faiths.

Scripture clearly teaches that there is only one way to God, and that is through Jesus Christ. If we are to believe the bible and accept its truths, then we must acknowledge this one also. The question you must ask yourself about your church leader is this: Do his methods suggest he is teaching belief in the bible? Do his methods even have anything to do with Jesus Christ and Him crucified?

It is a vital question. Your very soul could depend on it.

Don’t search your heart. Search Scripture and know that He is God—He, and He alone (Psalm 86:10). 1 Kings 18:16-45 is a wonderful place to start if you want to see our faith in action against other faiths. This world would confuse you and make you think all religions are basically the same. But in order to believe the Word of God, to live as a true Christian, it is time you take off your blinders, turn from serving other gods, and serve the One who died and rose again and sits at the right hand of God, for you. Amen

Here is a link to a video of Pastor Paul Washer making an excellent point.