“Guard what was committed to your trust,
avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—
by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith”(1 Tim 6:20-21, KJV)
All across the world the emerging voice of the New Reformation can be heard. Propagated by theological and pop-theological texts, its message reaches the masses through non-fiction works by authors such as Karen Armstrong or Stephen Hawkins, or through pulp fiction bestsellers such as Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. This new postmodern approach to theology can even be found in more traditional church structures, and proliferated by church leaders such as the Dutch Reformed Church’s Ben du Toit. According to prof. Sakkie Spangenberg this movement is founded upon the shift that has taken place, within a Western framework, of what constitutes truth, and how we should define truth. Their South African website states clearly that they do not lay claim to any eternal truths and take the current worldview very seriously. “We strive toward a culture that is conducive for true self-realisation.”
As Ecclesiastics (1:9) rightly states – there surely is nothing new under the sun. From the earliest times there were those bent on deceiving others through “philosophy and empty deceit” (Col 2:8). Paul was constantly arguing with “Epicurean and Stoic philosophers” (Acts 17:18), calling him a man of idle talk.
God has never been against discussions, doubt, or philosophical discourse, instead extending an invitation to debate – “Come now, let us reason together!” (Isa 1:18; see also 41:21; 43:26; Mic 6:2). But the wise should not find glory in their wisdom (Jer 9:23), for Christ alone is the Wisdom of God (1 Cor 1:24). Thus we find Paul, an intellectual and expert on the Scriptures, making the following unequivocal statement – “For it is written: ‘I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.’ Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?”
In Zec 9:13 the Word prophesies that “I will stir up thy sons, O Zion, against thy sons, O Greece”. In this present time we find ourselves struggling with the sons of Greece, desperately trying to deceive us through discourse and false arguments. The Word of God is the truth (John 17:17), thus: “Avoid the talk-show religion and the practiced confusion of the so-called experts” (1 Tim 6:21, MSG) and “cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor 10:5).
- Sela: Determine what position you take surrounding certain fundamental issues of faith.
- Read: 2 Sam 18; Prov 22; James 3
- Memorise: James 3:15-17 (very important within the context of this teaching)
- For a deeper understanding: Further information on the New Reformation: http://www.litnet.co.za/cgi-bin/giga.cgi?cmd=cause_dir_news_item&cause_id=1270&news_id=17708&cat_id=201.