Wrong theology

April 15, 2021 (Thursday)

 

Bad theology can become wrong theology if we are not careful. Worse yet is when wrong theology becomes dangerous and unhealthy. David asked, “O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah” [Psalm 4:2 ESV]

 

One of the problems we have is our culture is trying to shame those who dare state the Bible is “THE Word of God.” In my theological perspective, I believe the Bible is THE only authority for faith and life. For instance if the shifting tides of science disavows creation, then science is wrong. Let me be clear, science is wrong when it directly contradicts the clear Word of God.

 

John was dealing with unhealthy and destructive error in the church. Out of loving concern, John stated, “Children, this is the last hour. You heard that the enemy of Christ would appear at this time, and many of Christ’s enemies have already appeared. So we know that the last hour is here.” [1 John 2:18 CEV] Most of us recognize the subject of this verse is “antichrists.” This is why I like to see other translations.

 

What John is addressing is not the Antichrist but antichrists. See the difference? At the end, there will be THE Antichrist. Until then there will always be antichrists. These people are “Christ’s enemies.” We should expect this from the world, but John is addressing the church.

 

John identifies them, “These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.” [1 John 2:19 NLT] The early church had to contend with false teachers. Some stayed to be a destructive influence. Others left so they could teach their error without opposition.

 

John continues, “So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies.” [1 John 2:21 NLT] Here is the skill set that needs to be learned to achieve a sustainable church: Truth. We need to understand the difference between the truth and a lie.

 

There are the skills to understand. The first is “the big lie.” You know, the lie that is so big nobody would think it’s false. Second is “the grind.” That’s the lie that’s told so many times it becomes a meme. We accept it because “that’s the way it is.” Finally, there is the lie that is apparently true. For this to work it has to sound true and have enough truth to make sense.

 

The unhealthy and destructive error John was dealing with was specific, “And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist.” [1 John 2:22 NLT] To understand this verse we need to understand the title “Christ.”

 

“Christ” is the Greek translation of “Messiah.” The title means “anointed (chosen) one.” In the Old Testament the Messiah is clearly identified as God come in the flesh. The Christ was one who would redeem people and deliver them from the bondage of sin. The issue John was specifically dealing with was the error that Jesus was not fully God.

 

After more advice, John gets to the core of the danger of error. “The Son has promised us eternal life.” [1 John 2:25 CEV] If Jesus is not fully God, then we do not have eternal life BECAUSE of His death and resurrection. In fact, Jesus resurrection (which we just celebrated) is meaningless. There was no need for the resurrection if our eternal life is not based on the eternal God.

 

“He was handed over to die because of our sins, and he was raised to life to make us right with God.” [Romans 4:25 NLT] That’s not possible if Jesus was just a created being.