Apologetics
The Safety:
Successful institutions can attribute their success to the aspect that their policies and procedures are based on an external source of authority.
For instance, the institutions of Psychology and Medicine base their practice on general findings that have been agreed upon. As a result psychiatrists and physicians have an available library of resources that many would see upon entering an office of a practitioner. These systems of views and models rule this group as to how to treat one of their patients.
I give another example: the Financial institution. Especially with the crises happening in the world today many are turning to experts as to how to survive what seems impending. These experts all generally advise the same thing, to not act on panic and continue in one’s practice of sound investments. Most of them even encourage buying stock that is now less expensive, taking advantage of the decline.
These experts also follow a general set of rules to make their recommendations. When one hears someone from the financial world advising something contrary to the general population of financial experts, one would probably do well to disregard what their counsel is. When one makes recommendations that is counter to what is generally agreed upon, their view is usually looked upon with suspicion.
Christianity, as an institution also has a library of rules, policies and procedures. This library describes a model and a point of view to help one who follows Christianity as to how one should approach life, how one should conduct themselves.
We call our “Library” the Bible. The Model for the Bible is Jesus Christ.
Because of this authority, many are enjoying successful Christian lives. More importantly many are now in a joy-filled afterlife.
The Danger:
Today, I believe we now see a group of individuals who will disregard generally accepted authority. They will talk of an authority which is basically their own view-the individual is the authority. When these persons site another authority they are actually quoting such to support their own view.
Let us say that I believe that man is not sinful, despite what the Bible says. Bible-believing Christians would refer to verses that state to the contrary. Their point would be to show me that I was in error. If I refuse to agree with what the Bible says, what am I saying about the authority of what Christians call the “Word of God”?
It seems to me that to say such things are to say that my views are correct over what God has said. I would basically be making myself my own authority, like doctors and financial experts who devise their own set of procedures and guidance against what is foundational for their system. If I speak contrary to what the Bible says to be true, I am saying I am my own authority for life and conduct. What would be my success spiritually and eternally if I continue to follow that?
There is a population today that believes that they are their own authority. If what they say is true, who is to say that my own authority is better than theirs, or equally true? Do they have the authority to tell me my views are not on the same par as them, but less?
Many say “there are no absolutes”, which is actually an absolute statement, thereby negating itself.
Many such persons will try to say that the Bible has been corrupted. At the same time I have met persons who make such statements also will quote from the Bible. Since the Bible is not an authority to them, who is to say their choices of scripture are not also corrupted?
How does the Medical community define someone who goes against generally accepted practice in favor of their own view? What kind of a practice does a doctor or psychiatrist have when they do not follow what is prescribed? What will be the result of that practice, successful or not?
What does the Financial community say about one who gives guidance contrary to the general mass of financial advisers? What would happen to a person if they followed the guidance of such a financial adviser who proposes what goes against the advice of the general mass of financial experts?
I leave you to answer that.
To place one’s own supposed authority over a higher authority is at best foolish, at worse arrogant, misleading and dangerous. Their voice does not sound much different than this:
“I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.”—Isaiah 14:13-14
© 10-24-08
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