To some, this would seem a silly point to begin a discussion of forgotten truths. After all, over eighty percent of Americans claim membership in a Monotheistic religion.
Yet, some Churches seem to have forgotten this. In an era of designer babies, we see many movements trying to produce designer gods that will fit the changes we’ve made in our society. They expect the creator to bend to fit the desires of the created.
We’ve seen this from many ends. Things which God has never spoken about in scripture in an authoritative way are condemned by various legalists. On the other hand, things which are explicitly condemned in scripture are celebrated.
The US Episcopal Church plunges headlong into the ordination of homosexual bishops and the despite explicit scriptural commands to the contrary. Meanwhile the Presbyterian Church (USA) has decided the Holy Spirit may have different agendas depending on which area of the country you’re in as they’ve said individual churches can choose whether to ordain homosexuals or not. So a homosexual in South Carolina may be ineligible, but one in New York may be ordained.
Yet the scripture is clear that God is not the author of confusion. The authority of scripture is scorned by these denominations, in both of which about a third of their ministers even deny the resurrection of Christ.
They’re not alone in their attempts to redesign God, to spin God if you would. Despite prohibitions in both the Old and New Testament, many denominations wink at gratuitous divorce and often cohabitation as well. Various groups and individuals have replaced the centuries old command to know him and make him known for the idea of reforming him to make him more palatable.
I’ll be the last to criticize using new media or lyrics to communicate the truth of God. Certainly, there’s always room for innovation and finding fresh ways to communicate God’s heart. The danger becomes when you rewrite God’s character to make him someone He’s not. Be it the hateful maniacal God portrayed by Fred Phelps, or the imbalanced permissive God presented in many churches, you’re not following the true God, but the creation of another.
In a world where so much changes, we can be thankful that there is one God who as the scripture says, “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6). The danger we face is that some go into idolatry following a God of their own making.
We’ve forgotten the great truths that our Founders knew and must relearn them. Yes, God is merciful, but He is also just. God governs in the affairs of men and that our rights come from God and cannot be violated without bringing his wrath.
These are lessons we’ve forgotten, as many have turned away from the idea of Christ as truly being Lord, and instead began to view religion as a matter of comfort. We began to remake God in our own image to fit our own needs, rather than conforming ourselves to His will. We must once again grasp the concept that we are called to be God’s servants rather than His masters.
Adam Graham is the author of the Screwtape Reports which is available at www.lulu.com/content/165415. He was the 2000 Montana State Coordinator of the Alan Keyes Presidential Campaign. He and his wife live in Boise, Idaho. He is a staff blogger for WhereIstand.com. He is a columnist for AmericanDaily.com, RenewAmerica.us, The Conservative Voice.com and Conservatown.com. You can visit his blog at www.adamsweb.us/blog. You can also subscribe to his podcast at: http//feeds.feedburner.com/blogspot/blgH
