“Give The Church(es) A Break?”

Neil Cox, Editor, IndyChristian.com

Have you ever wondered why there are so many different types of churches, if there’s only one Bible? You’re not alone -- we ALL have wondered that at one time or another.

That very Bible teaches that the “Church” of Jesus Christ is ONE… not dozens. To their credit, many of our churches ARE finding some practical ways to work together more closely. The newly forming “Transform Indiana” network of Bible-believing churches & ministries seeks to facilitate such efforts. [You could read about it online, but we’ll also write more about it here in months to come. Stay tuned.]

Has the multiplicity of churches led you to assume that the Bible’s ‘truth’ must be relative? That is, that it can be interpreted whatever way you think best, relative to your situation, your culture, your opinions? If our numerous variations gave you that notion, shame on us. Please forgive us. Nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, our fractured appearance may be rooted in the zeal with which we attempt to be ‘right on’ as we teach God’s absolute truth from the Bible. That is, we so heartily affirm that the Bible is God’s inerrant communiqué to mankind, that we want to take no chances on teaching or applying it poorly. If a church has to err on one side or the other, it will typically only risk trying to be too precise.

But before we apply these statements with a ‘broad brush’ to every church, let’s back up a moment and make a major distinction that’s important for anyone to understand. The churches referred to above are those which historically have affirmed the authority of the Bible, authored by humans perfectly guided by God and generally to be understood by the average person. These churches collectively agree that it is to be taken at its obvious face value; and it is not in conflict with itself. In fact, many parts of scripture help to clarify other parts of scripture. Bible-believing churches concur on its core tenets.

[There are other churches which break from this principle of ‘inerrancy’, and not surprisingly then become subject to majority opinion and changing cultural preferences.]

Next month, we’ll review Transform Indiana’s ‘statement of common faith’ as a good summary of the Bible’s central teachings. But if you’ve never read God’s word for yourself, perhaps the best place for you to start this month, is with the part that the apostle John wrote. John was Jewish, one of Jesus’ disciples who knew the scriptures up to that time, walked & talked with Jesus, saw the miracles, saw him die on the cross, saw him after rising from the grave, ate and drank with him, and saw him ascend into heaven. John accepted persecution rather than recant his eye-witness testimony. And John told us why he was writing…. “so that you may know you have eternal life”. And he clearly gives the answers how you can know that. But you’ll have to read it to find out. See you next month. In the meantime, tune in daily if you like, at IndyChristian.com – “Daily Start-page for Greater Indianapolis Christians & Inquirers”.