Time Magazine’s issue dated May 18, 2020 features the article ‘NOW IS THE MOMENT TO CHANGE THE WORLD by Rutger Bregman. The author is likely right to say “Right now, we are in the biggest crisis since the Second World War. The economic impact of COVID-19 is greater than the impact of the Great Recession of 2008, and may be even greater than that of the Great Depression of the 1930s. And if history teaches us anything, it’s that extraordinary things are possible. And everything depends on the ‘ideas that are lying around,’” a quote from economist Milton Friedman.
In the process of being with students here at IBC, I note that students are excited and convinced that everything new is “cool.” They hold the belief that the future will provide innovative and fantastic tools and will create great opportunities to reinvent methods. Indeed, the world will change; and is in fact changing now in ways that will demand an understanding of not just how things work but also a comprehension of the consequences of how the future is shaped.
We are facing a future, I fear, in which mankind feels free to attempt to change God’s word, God’s concepts, and God’s redemptive salvation, and to substitute their own humanistic structures. Many churches around the country, just as we have done here in Indianapolis, have been keeping services going during the world’s battle against Covid-19. Someone said jokingly, “This is cool, we can just have church at home and order a pizza.” Or as Bregman might remind us of Friedman’s words: “everything depends on the ideas that are lying around.” This is a profound truth. For as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.
It is obvious that Christians among many denominations are trying to develop a type of fellowship that ignores the need for the true apostles doctrine. This is not a good idea. Weakness of faith is a factor that is causing many people to lay aside the callings of God. This is not the time to fantasize that our mission is simply to satisfy people. Godless ideas that lead us into separation from the spirit are lying about everywhere.
Churches have choices. It is Truth that sets us free. The anointing of God is the greatest experience that one could imagine. It’s the false concepts that are scattered about, ready to be picked up by the unwary, that are causing many to believe in error.
I recall when I was young it was common that after church services, preachers would gather together for lunch and often they would invite young men to come and listen to their conversations. I remember how certain they were as to what they believed. Their commitment to preach the truth and defend the faith was evident. They were quick to expose the bad ideas that were lying around, and on the other hand would make it clear that One Lord, One Faith and One Baptism are essential factors. They would carefully make sure that we knew the Apostles doctrine was vital to our churches, our salvation, and our future.
I remember those days of listening to the conversations of the elders. Their confidence made it apparent that they were ready to give their whole life to preach the Word and to let go of the things that were just ideas to satisfy men with itching ears.
Such is the moment in which we live. The foundation of Bible truth that churches place under the feet of this generation will determine the future possibility of revival. We cannot borrow ideas or doctrines that are “just lying around.”
Paul D. Mooney