Religion at the Door of the Year 2000

	Please give critical consideration to everything you read in these studies.  If what we say is not true, please disprove it with the Bible.  If what we say is true, please evaluate whether or not it agrees with what you are presently following.  Don't assume that it is just because it is what the Bible says.  You might be surprised, if not shocked, to compare the Bible with what you are being taught.
	Winston Churchill is quoted as saying that most people run into the truth during their lifetimes.  Almost all of them, he added, pick themselves up, brush themselves off and go on as if nothing had happened.
	"Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica," Paul writes in Acts 17:11 of the people in Berea, "for they received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, {to see} whether these things were so."
	Which group do you want to be in?  Do you want to be like most people, or do you want to be like the Bereans?
	Every new era brings with it new challenges.  Old ways are questioned.  New ways are tried.  As we work our way through the last decade of the last century of this millennium, we are motivated to consider religion at the door of the year 2000.  We ask questions about the adequacy of biblical revelation.  How can we reconcile philosophy and religion?  What is the relationship between norms, rules and the Scriptures in a society where things are relative?  How can we conform with modern forms of thought?
	What about the adequacy of Biblical revelation?  Is this revelation partial or complete?  Is it adequate for our time? What is the "track record" of biblical prophecy?
	The Bible is either partial or it is complete.  This isn't too hard to understand.  But this truth carries with it an important implication as we consider religion at the door of the year 2000.  The dictionary defines "incomplete" as, "lacking a part or parts, unfinished, not perfect."  So, by definition, something which is incomplete is imperfect.  This is even more obvious when we look at a dictionary which deals with New Testament Greek.  The words "perfect" and "complete" are used interchangeably.  If the Bible is perfect then it is complete.  If it is incomplete, then it is imperfect.  If it is imperfect, then it is no longer the Bible.  So, logically, there can be no incomplete Bible.
	You say that this is obvious?  When, then, are so many religious groups based on the results of human councils and congresses?  Why do so many follow the Bible plus man-made doctrines and creeds?  Why do so many rely upon so-called modern-day revelations?  Why is the trend among religious groups to change the Bible to conform to what they consider to be modern thinking?
	"But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed," Paul warns in Galatians 1:8.
	"Now these things, brethren, I have figuratively applied to myself and Apollos for your sakes," Paul states in 1 Corinthians 4:6, "that in us you might learn not to exceed what is written, in order that no one of you might become arrogant in behalf of one against the other." 
	"Anyone who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God;" we are instructed in 2 John verses 9-11, "the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into {your} house, and do not give him a greeting; for the one who gives him a greeting participates in his evil deeds." 
	"I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God shall add to him the plagues which are written in this book;" we are advised in Revelation 22:18-19, "and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the tree of life and from the holy city, which are written in this book." 
	"Beloved," we read in Jude verse three, "while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.
	"Many other signs therefore Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book;" John 20:30-31 observes, "but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." 
	"Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret for long ages past," Paul writes in Romans 16:25-27, "but now is manifested, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, has been made known to all the nations, {leading} to obedience of faith; to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, be the glory forever. Amen."
	Does the Bible contain the faith which was once for all delivered? Yes.  Does the Bible tell us everything we need to know in order to be saved?  Yes.  Has God made His commandment known to all nations through the Bible?  Yes.  Does the Bible allow for future modifications?  No.

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	"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God," we read in 1 John 5:13, "in order that you may know that you have eternal life."
	What does this tell us about how secure we should feel if we are not following what is written?
	But we still haven't decided why religious groups are so eager to abandon the Bible in favor of "modern" ideas.  Could it be that they have left the primary mission of the church?  Is the mission of the church to promote social change or to save the lost?  Is the mission of the church to provide social interaction and entertainment, or is it to save the lost?  Is the mission of the church to provide social assistance or is it to save the lost?  Yes, Christians must be ready to help others.  Christians should enjoy being together.  Christianity is not a dead religion bogged down in the first centuries.  But the primary mission of the church is still to save souls.  Could it be that religious groups listen to society more than to the Bible because they are concerned primarily with social change, social assistance and social interaction?  The Bible tells us all we need to know to be saved.  Nothing has changed.  The same things which saved people in the first century will save people in the year 2000.  The same worship which was acceptable to God in the first century will be acceptable to Him in the year 2000.  Change is driven by society and not by God.
	"I solemnly charge {you} in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus," Paul states strongly in 2 Timothy 4:1-4, "who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but {wanting} to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to myths." 
	The Bible is complete.  It contains everything we need to know in order to do what we need to do.  But is it adequate for our time?
	Let's be practical about this.  Let's compare the track record of modern ideas with that of the Bible.  A few years ago we took prayer and Bible reading out of our schools.  What has happened in our country since?  Many have abandoned the biblical teaching about marriage and the family in favor of more "progressive" arrangements.  How is it working?  Many have rebelled against bible-based morality in exchange for an "anything goes" lifestyle.  How are we doing?  Where do we end when we trade the Bible for modern ideas?  If this is so obvious in our society, why is it not also true in a religious sense?  Do modern ideas bring us closer together?  More importantly, do they bring us closer to God?
	"All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;" 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches, "that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."
	Just what else is it that we need?
	"And {so} we have the prophetic word {made} more sure," 2 Peter 1:19-21 points out, "to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.  But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is {a matter} of one's own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God."
	We would do well to pay attention to the truth, because it is the only thing which will set us free.   

Unless otherwise noted, "Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE(R), (C) Copyright The Lockman Foundation 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977. Used by permission."