Are you a fundamentalist? A one-question quiz from Brian McLaren’s Blog:
Quiz:
When I am presented with a new idea or proposal, my first question is more likely to be …
___A. Is it acceptable to my religious/ideological community or belief system?
___B. Is it possibly true, valuable, and worth exploring?
If you chose A, you’re probably a fundamentalist, and probably shouldn’t read my new book because it will only get you in trouble. If you do decide to read it, don’t let your fundamentalist friends know. Hide the book in a brown paper bag, and only read it in private.
If you chose B, you’re curious, and I think you’ll enjoy my new book.
<<The above is taken from Brian McLaren’s blog!!!>>
This tongue-in-cheek quiz from pastor and author Brian McLaren’s blog caused me to pause and sigh, “Dear God.” It appears that he is advocating that we should not test that which we hear or read against what we believe to be in alignment with our faith. What? A Christian pastor, who is gaining popularity as having a “new” approach to Christianity, suggesting that we should not reject something because it does not align with our belief system? Let’s check the Bible:
1 John 4:1: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world…”
Hebrews 13:9: “Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings…”
The entire chapter of Ephesians 4. Actually, just read the whole Bible 
It is all about the separation of right vs. wrong. Not according to human standards, which are constantly being redefined, but according to God’s standards.
One of the great examples Jesus gave was that he referred back to the Old Testament Scriptures constantly throughout His ministry. He called on people to know and understand the teachings of the prophets so that they would not be deceived when (not if) they heard teaching that was misleading. I urge and caution all those who truly seek to follow Christ to test everything – especially anyone who claims to have a “new” angle to Christianity – to test, test, test what the Word of God says against the teaching. Not just a part of the Word of God… the whole of the Word.
In our current society there are many churches promoting Brian McLaren as having a modern day relevance to old fashioned, fundamental Christianity. I do not read anywhere in Scripture that we are called to be relevant. In fact, Scripture says just the opposite. We are to stand out from those who are following the ways of darkness and reveal His light in every situation we encounter. This will only happen if we are grounded in the Truth.
This doesn’t mean we bring our Bible everywhere we go and smack people around with it. (That’s not Biblical) But it also does not mean we compromise our beliefs just to soften Christianity. We have to test what we hear and read against God’s Word. That, combined with the internal wisdom of the Holy Spirit, is the only way we can ensure we are following the narrow path that leads to salvation. A faith that is “relevant” and a faith that is “uncompromising” unfortunately don’t go hand-in-hand. Which faith do you have?
Peace.
~kp
