A picture on the wall

How often do you hear Christians supporting their claims with such words: “I’ve read a really good book on this topic...”, “traditionally it was believed by theologians…”, “I heard a great sermon about it...”? Does this evidence convince you about the truthfulness of their claims?

I find it surprising and even a bit weird when Christians don’t use the Bible as a foundation of their theology. There is a difference between using a source as an example and using it as a foundation. In the same way as a picture on the wall is different from the wall itself. It adds some beauty to the wall, but it doesn’t support the roof.

Don’t we come to the Bible anytime we want to verify if a certain teaching is correct? Wasn’t it the Bible where you learned more about what happened to you after you got born again? And why do the apostles appeal to the teachings of Jesus as a foundation of their arguments?

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. (Luke 6:47-48)

But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete. (Luke 6:49)

Let’s build on a solid foundation. It is much easier just to google something, or to watch a few sermons online or just to believe whatever the “inspired” preacher is saying. Been there, done that - it’s easier indeed. But how accurate it is? How reliable is this foundation? Would you build your life upon it?

In this age of informational overflood and skim reading, our desire for instant answers has grown immensely. We cannot process such a great amount of data and we don’t really have time to study deeply. We just need the answers now and we are quick to believe whatever source looks good and has a list of short steps in a nutshell. Is this how we are supposed to build a house? Imagine picking any good-looking material as a foundation without checking its properties. Or imagine building a house on a place without checking what lies underneath the soil. Would that be wise?

It seems that today we are more concerned about what we eat than what we learn. We seem to care so much about diets, proteins, vitamins, hormones, muscles, etc.. Do we care about our spiritual food with the same diligence, commitment and passion? It looks like we are being led astray by spiritual fast food. Are we lazy to cook?

Why does it matter, one would ask? Two things. Firstly, how do you know that you are not following a false teaching (which are so many these days). Secondly, how do you know that you are not leading others astray from Christ by your claims and arguments?

Let’s build on a solid foundation. Let’s take time to study the Bible. It is possible and it’s worth our effort, for “the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true” (1 John 5:20).

God bless

Author: Sasha Taran