Are you a Skeptic?

In the continuing parade of "-isms" two seem to be more visible in our day. They are skepticism, and cynicism.
Whoopi Goldberg seems to epitomize a combination of both. In a recent episode of THE VIEW television program, they were talking about Christianity, and Elizabeth and Sherri were making some sort of definitive statement about the faith. Whoopi in her typical cynicism, said something like "I can’t wait till they bring indulgences back". I may not have it word for word, but the gist of it was that there are so many changes in the faith both now and over the years. Her message was clear, in her mind the church is something like a Chevy, that has this or that option over the years, and she wants a model revived that had been discontinued like the Camero.

Which by the way, Bonnie Rochman writing in online TIME, Sunday Feb. 22nd edition explains how indulgences are making a comeback—at least through June.
While it is true there are many voices speaking for this or that issue. There are many preachers that loudly proclaim various doctrines, such as the "health, wealth and prosperity" gospel as an example. There are even a dizzying amount of church bodies, which can’t get along.

Even historical fiction novelist Dan Brown and his book the Da Vinci Code opens the door for questions on the person of Christ himself and centuries of deeply held beliefs about him.
Note the statements of church leaders, scientists, and scholars whose opinions contradict each other, as well as historic church teachings and the Bible. We are taught early on contradictory subjects such as creation/evolution. Archaeologists can’t seem to agree on biblical places and times. We haven’t even mentioned the moral issues of our day such as sexuality.

As if that wasn’t enough, there are probably people who doubt there ever really was a consistent historic church teaching--period.

How is a Whoopi supposed to know what is right? Is it any surprise that there are so many cynics and skeptics? I don’t really have any disdain for Whoopi, or anyone who is skeptical. We all, I think, struggle with cynicism and are tempted with skepticism.

I’ve heard of at least one author who believes that the typical unbeliever is skeptical of Christianity in general. And that the numbers of atheists and agnostics have grown dramatically recently.

Because of all the examples above, it’s very, very easy to be a skeptic.
What’s harder is to consider whether it’s true.

Are you skeptical of Christianity? This is a gigantic issue, and I won’t presume to answer these things here, or anywhere. Let me just share how I deal with these things.

First, let me share my own experience. My beliefs have not been formed in a "sheltered" environment. They have been tested through my own period of rebellion followed by a secular education environment—which is not friendly to historic Christianity. And then refined through formal seminary training. And more recently through various ministry and work experiences. Through this, God’s personal faithfulness has been confirmed. So my own personal experience is key to my faith—but not the ultimate foundation.

Second, we must eliminate confusion. We need to understand the distinction between public "church" voices, and personal ministry of Jesus. Jesus is the head of the church, and all doctrine flows from Him. This is confirmed by the ancient creeds. While it is true there have been more books written about Jesus than any other historical figure, we can bypass them all and go directly to the Source Himself—and read what He said. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My word will never pass away."—Jesus. This is the foundation, the Bible.

Third, we must draw a straight line. While there are many high level church officials of all stripes making this or that declaration, there are many high and scholarly voices which haven’t budged one iota on the ancient theology of the Creeds and confessions of orthodox Christianity. While our nation’s colleges and universities blow in the direction of the strongest winds, the writing in stone and engraved on their proud buildings testify against them.

What does that mean? It means we must take a look at what hasn’t changed over the biblical period of our theology and what has followed in the successive the years. We will find that not only is there a believable and credible body of truth, but scholarly men and women of high reputation who hold to it.
I guess what I’m saying is, we must unwrap the layers of "stuff" to finally see the consistent thread of the Gospel woven throughout time.

Skepticism and cynicism are easy—and popular. What’s hard is to take a look at the faith, and see it for what it is in its basic form. At that point, it’s hard to dispute.

I’ll share my thoughts on the trustworthiness of the Bible next….
That’s what I know, a poor part-time country preacher.