Teaching the Whole Counsel of His Word, Part 1

January, 2004

by: Brock Bolde

My wife and I subscribe to World magazine. It's basically a news magazine that keeps us abreast of what's going on in a world but it's written from a Christian perspective. I always look forward to reading each issue because it offers some interesting insight into the culture that we are all a part of. I share these life–changing tidbits with you because recently I came across an article that I thought was worth passing along. It was written by a guy by the name of Gene Edward Veith and the title of the article was Unbelieving “born–agains”. Its main thrust had to do with the continuing collapse of basic theological truths among professing believers. The very first lines of the article state:

“Secularists, Liberals, and Muslims do not need to fear conservative Christians,” says Dave Shiflett in the Wall Street Journal. “Christians,” he says, “are not all that interested in converting the heathen. They don't really believe that there is such a thing as the heathen, tending to believe instead that every religion is equally valid.”

Within the article, Mr. Veith goes on to list a bunch of statistics from George Barna. I was amazed at some of the findings that were quoted. Here are but a few:

• More than one in three (35 percent) born–again Christians do not believe that Jesus rose physically from the dead.
• Slightly more born–again Christians believe in the devil than believe in the Holy Spirit, though 45 percent do not believe that Satan exists.
• Ten percent believe in reincarnation.
• Twenty–nine percent believe it is possible to communicate with the dead.

How do all of these findings impact the morality of these so–called born–again believers? Veith goes on to quote more findings from Barna's research:

• One out of three born–again Christians (33 percent), according to Mr. Barna's numbers accept same–sex unions.
• More than one out of three (39 percent) believe it is morally acceptable for couples to live together before marriage.
• And, significantly, born–again Christians are more likely than non–Christians to have experienced divorce (27 percent vs. 24 percent).

My purpose in sharing all of this with you in parent's corner is twofold. The first purpose being that I want you to be aware of the diversity that exists even within the “conservative” branches of Christianity (although you could hardly call some of these branches Christians). God's Word is very clear that not everyone who says Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21). The second, and most pressing purpose is to challenge you as parents to train up your children in the way they should go. As parents, we need to teach our children sound Biblical doctrine. They need to hear from you what the Word of God has to say about this world and how they're to live in it. They need to hear from you what God's Word calls sin. They need to hear from you that there is a heaven and a hell. Don't allow your children to fall into the trappings of being a Christian in title alone. Help them to understand God's Word so that they can have some discernment when they go out into the world. And don't think that because they go to a Christian school you won't have to worry about these things. If anything, you might have to worry more because they will see their “Christian” friends doing things that are in opposition to the Word of God. As we get ready to enter into a new year, let me plead with you to seriously resolve to obey God's commandment to teach your children the whole council of His word. Let this be the one resolution that changes the course your family and you for many years to come.