Random thoughts on "The Truth War"

I just finished a fabulous book by John MacArthur entitled "The Truth War". I would strongly suggest that everyone read it :-) What follows is just thoughts and challenges to myself first and then to you as my brothers and sisters...soli Deo gloria!

"Most Christians nowdays simply don't care about the prevalence of false doctrine, nor do they take seriously their own duty to fight against apostasy. Instead, they want a friendly atmosphere of open acceptance for everyone, tolerance of opposing ideas, and charitable dialogue with the apostates."
"When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ, believers from this generation will not be able to justify their apathy by complaining that the strife of conflict over truth just seemed 'too negative'...or that the issues were 'merely doctrinal' and therefore not worth the effort."

This seems all too true to me! The dreaded word "postmodernism" is practically a blight on the message of those who dare to use it...but postmodernism has had an influence upon modern Christianity. Some of that influence may be positive, but the negative impact cannot be denied. In reality, Truth is more important than ANYTHING else--we cannot allow tolerance, diversity, "gracious charity", and unity to superceede propositional (factually stated) doctrinal Truth. Modern Christianity has come to place an extraordinarily, distressingly low value on academic study of the Bible. In truth, the Bible ought to be understood and defended by/through a careful study of the text in its original languages and historical contexts. While we must confront falsehood with caution, grace, prayer, study, and an attitude of love, we MUST confront it negatively--"fight" it. This is a vital duty and profession of belief, not "worthless".

"This is what we are called, commanded, and commissioned to do (1 Cor 1:17-31). Faithfulness to Christ demands it. The honour of God requires it. We cannot sit by and do nothing...we must not embrace such confusion in the name of charity, collegiality, or unity....As always, a war is being waged against the truth. We are on one side or the other. There is no middle ground--no safe zone for the uncommitted...And it is actually a sin not to fight...That is true even though fighting sometimes results in conflict within the visible community of professing Christians."

This is another falsehood I see constantly propagated even among Christians. It is not conflict itself that is taboo according to Scripture--rather, Scripture alludes to conflict as unavoidable in the Christian life. Apostasy and false ideology "creeps in unnoticed" (Jude) and necessitates conflict. Even the smallest battle is "lost" or "won"...and the smallest "loss" weakens the Truth that we have been commissioned to protect as an eternal treasure. With God as our motivation, according to His will, driven by His Word, reliant on His strength--we must allow nothing to breach the defenses of Truth.
It would be wonderful if the falsities and deceptions were broadcast as such, but that is not the method of the "Father of Lies"! We brothers and sisters in Christ must always be on guard, always comparing what we see and hear to God's Word, always ready to point out untruth and defend the truth, always holding each other accountable. Be like the Bereans of Acts, because that is what is absolutely needed:

"They may understand the truth. They may even seem to follow it enthusiastically...Most seek to remain within the church and actively seek acceptance among the people of God. Because everything they do undermines faith and corrupts the truth, such people pose a grave danger to the health of the flock--even though they usually bend over backward to appear friendly, likeable, and pious...Many of them are so blinded by their evil desires that they really imagine they are serving Christ when i nfact they are opposing Him (John 16:2)...If not vigourously resisted, apostasy will spread like leaven through seminaries, denominations, missions agencies, and other Christian institutions."

And this is where the idea of Christians in conflict and staunch defense of Truth comes under attack. I do wholeheartedly believe that conflict over Truth holds the danger of becoming a personal vendetta or a personal attack, motivated by pride, envy, or amibition. But why do modern Christians shy away from recognizing that apostasy is the most subtle and dangerous falsity? That it is from WITHIN that the Enemy makes his most successful attack? Unfortunately, the same attitude of "charity" and "tolerance" and "love" that is so dangerous to Truth is also dangerous to those who defend Truth:

"But let someone seriously question whether an idea that is gaining currency in the evangelical mainstream is really biblically sound, and the person raising concern is likely to be shouted down by others as a 'heresy hunter' or dismissed out of hand as a pesky whistle-blower."

If you (and I) have carefully rooted our concern in God's Word and wise counsel, I would encourage you (and myself, of course) to ignore the voices that cry "witch hunt" and "whistle blower"!!! We must not be afraid or dissuaded from defending the Truth! Returning to the Bible and prayer on a daily basis is a must--but there are too few warriors willing to stand up in the face of (even Christian, sadly) opposition. If you have ground for your belief--if you see untruth undermining the witness/proclamation of Christ's salvation or the Word or Person of God? Stand firm. Keep seeking God's purpose. Give the battle to Him because it is ultimately His. But stand firm! You are fighting for eternity on the side of the Light!