100% Wrong

TITLE: 100% Wrong
DATE: May 16, 2019
​TEXT: 2 Peter 2: 1 – ESV -But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction.

Almost 200 years ago spiritual leaders in New York founded Union Theological Seminary.

In 1836, Union Seminary was a pretty straight, that is, a Scriptural place. The goal of the Seminary was to “promote the kingdom of Christ.” The Professors of the Seminary were all required to believe:
1.      The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the word of God.”
2.      The only infallible rule of faith and practice.”

That’s the way it was in 1836….but as we all know… things don’t stay the same… not after almost 200 years. Times change; governments change, Churches change, beliefs change and the Presidents of Seminaries change. 

Today Serene Jones is the President of Union Theological Seminary. As near as I can tell, she is probably a significant change from the past. I say that, because in an interview which came out around Easter she shared some of the things she DOESN'T believe in. You know things like:

• 1.      The Virgin Birth
• 2.      The power of prayer.
• 3.      A literal heaven
• 4.      Miracles
• 5.      ‘The physical resurrection of Jesus.

When she was asked, :”What happens to the soul of a person when they die?”, Serene gave this most flexible response. “I don’t know! There may be something, there may be nothing. My faith is not tied to some divine promise about the afterlife.”

Well, as we said, things change… and you really can’t expect things to be the same after almost two-centuries, can you?”
Or is that the EXACT thing we should expect? Looking at the Bible, I see it saying:

• ·         Malachi 3:6  (KJV)   6 For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
• ·         2 Peter 1:21  -  21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
• ·         Hebrews 13:8-9 a - 8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. 9 Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings, for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace,
• ·         2 Timothy 3:16-7 - All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Now, Serene Jones can believe what she wants… but who are the people who put her in a position of authority? Who are the folks who think she should be setting direction for the Christian leaders of the future? They, too, are accountable for this spiritual disaster.

All I can say is this:, if you have a church where the leaders believe and the pastor preaches salvation through Christ, be thankful. You are very blessed …and you are becoming more rare.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, how like sinful humankind to want to make god in their own image. Grant that our hearts may be filled with humility as we recognize You are the One Who saves, and we are the ones who are saved by grace through faith in the Christ. In His Name we pray. Amen.
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The devotion for today was inspired by various recent news articles. For further reading you may wish to go to this site: https://www.newser.com/story/274285/boy-thrown-off-mall-of-america-balcony-still-under-sedation.html and the article written by the Newser editors on April 23, 2019.
The music which introduces and concludes our devotions was written by Guy Baumann. He along with three of his brothers perform on the album: The Baumann Brothers which may be ordered here: http://thebaumannbrothers.com/index.html