Standing Our Ground

The Christian faith has always faced points in history where it has had to endure attacks and challenges from within and from without. All the early creeds and confessions we have stem from the debates and conflicts that arose . From the deity of Christ,the Trinity, the canon of scripture to the confessions of faith that came into being because of the reformation , the faith has endured and become stronger . The challenges give opportunities to reveal the truth of scripture and expose those who are hold heresy or will accommodate to the world .

As we enter the 21st century there are many points of contention but two seem to have become the prominent . The first being the gaining acceptance of homosexuality within denominations and a drift that has happened even within so called younger evangelicals. Lets face the fact , to stand on the God's word concerning the truth that gay marriage is not marriage and that the only God ordained sexuality that is holy and sacred is between a man and woman within the covenant of marriage.To call the gay community to repentance and sharing the gospel will only become more offensive and controversial in years to come as the secular world embraces this open affront to a holy God. Many will try I'm sure to accommodate the message of the gospel and God's word to look progressive and not "bigoted".

The second point will be the historical persons of Adam and Eve . Within certain circles there has been a movement to downplay the reliability of the first 3 chapters of Genesis and turn it into a "true" myth or an allegory that is more poetry and should not be considered historical in any real sense. Trying to bridge the gap that they believe between science and the Bible , they want to remove a real Adam and Eve , the garden and even the way we understand the narrative of the serpent (Satan) tempting eve and the entrance of sin into the world. Embracing theistic evolution to try and fit into the world of study they move.

But the thing is , if God created the universe by His word and power , caused all things to occur , upholds all things still , then that is creation even if you hold to a long period of time . It is impossible to reconcile this view with the Bible for it speaks of God actively creating, sustaining and caring for the whole universe. This is in line more with a deist view , that holds God just set things in motion but played no active role,not the Christian God.

As to Adam and Eve , no matter how one views the issue of time before their appearance , the narrative is impossible to read without doing some strange linguistic gymnastics to make it say other than they were real flesh and blood people. The other problem is what do you do with the rest of the Bible when it refers to them as real people. Paul clearly teaches that the sin of one man , Adam caused the whole creation to fall into sin . what of the lineages that trace Jesus line back to Adam , making Him the second Adam. Then how do you get around the fact Jesus held to the truth of Genesis completely . The impact will be a drift to a faith that will no longer have any bearing with the 2000 years that went before it.

Science has become the new gospel and the scientist the new apostles.However in my life span of 47 years I have seen theories come and go . Nothing I have read has diminished my trust in God's word.

So may we stand firm and know that the truth of God's word has nothing to fear concerning honest examination. It may cost us status and even life one day but may we look to the past heroes of the faith that stood what seemed at times , against a whole world.

Verse Of The Day  :    [13] Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.
(1 Corinthians 16:13 ESV)