The Importation of Garbage!

We also have the prophetic word made more sure, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. --- 2 Peter 1:19 - 2:2

It happened back in the 19th Century with Germany being one of the main spawning grounds for it. The United States was still a bit young, but growing and developing. It was blessed from its beginning because of the "foundation" which had been laid by our founding fathers. Woven into the foundational documents were statements which acknowledged the existence of Almighty God and the need to trust Him. And the Bible was held to be a very special book -- it was God's inspired Word and completely trustworthy -- what was revealed was true and humans were to conform to that truth so revealed and live lives which demonstrated conformity to that revelation which had come from the Creator of this mighty universe!

However the Bible was not so regarded in some other parts of the world --- things were quivering a bit in the continent of Europe with Germany being one of the main nations involved. The "theological" kettle was being stirred fervently with something called "Higher Criticism." It basically boiled down to the fact that certain persons became self-appointed "authorities" regarding the Bible and began to do a detailed "autopsy" on it which resulted in a Bible you would barely recognize and really wouldn't want to believe!

Miracles didn't really happen as reported, Jesus wasn't really born in the manner as reported (miracle of the virgin birth), didn't really do those miracles attributed to Him, didn't really come back from the dead after crucifixion, and isn't going to return to this world again as claimed! There's a host of other "stuff" the "theologians" came up with which won't be detailed here such as the authorship of the first 5 books of the Old Testament and other off-the-wall junk.

By the way, a good definition of a theologian to keep in mind when you begin to confront some of this stuff as it is spread around by a pastor or church leader in the area where you live, is this -- "A theologian is a blind man in a dark room at midnight looking for a black cat that isn't there!"

The great tragedy is that the stuff which was spawned in Germany and a couple of other countries or so was imported to the United States! Controversy broke out in the United States in the early 1900's over the reliability and integrity of the Bible.

This thing acted like a cancer -- it began to grow and spread -- a number of seminary professors had become "infected" -- this theological "garbage" began to be taught to students who would become future ministers in churches and evidence is overwhelming that a lot of them bought into it.

If we are not in harvest time as a result of the "rebel" seed sown for well over a century, we are certainly close to it. And God will see to it that we will indeed reap as we have sown over the decades!

By their own admission many who profess to be Christian in their faith also admit to neglecting the reading and study of the Bible. But why take time to explore it if it is full of contradictions and you never can be sure whether it is true or not?

The result is that it's a bit like a super buffet -- you just kind of wander through and pick out what might have some special meaning to you and sort of hope for the best. But you can never really be sure!

Mainline denominations have really been ravaged with this theological garbage imported from the European continent plus the damage done from those who rose up from within our republic. These also fired a few salvos of pure unadulterated unbelief into the Scriptures.

The cracks in our nation's foundation are becoming more obvious due to our growing acceptance of sexual immorality in a variety of expressions, establishment of our own special brands of idols, unethical and dishonest practices, and a decaying spirituality which makes God sick!

If as a nation we refuse to repent and turn to God seeking forgiveness and mercy, there is nothing else left to expect but to be on the receiving end of His wrath. One thing sure, nobody will feel like dancing in the streets when that happens. Oh, by the way, have you read the book of Revelation lately?

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. --- 2 Timothy 3:16,17