...having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Tim 3:5 (ESV)
I know I've written on this subject before but it just continues to be a growing burden on my heart. The topic is the current trend towards what I would call Christian fads. If you visit a Christian bookstore, you'll generally see the current fad displayed somewhere near the door (the Bibles are typically in the back somewhere). It will generally look like this...
There will be a book, some coffee mugs, some key chains, some T-shirts, a bracelet or some other form of jewelry, maybe a calendar or special journal, etc. You've seen them ... the purpose or the passion or the prayer or the program.
They change about every 3 to 6 months or so simply because there is no power of God in them. The danger is people are putting their faith in a book or study to change their lives. If you put your faith in anything but Christ and the cross you are in the land of idolatry. Fads aren't just found in the bookstores, they are found in the pulpits and other venues. There are fads in ministry that everyone begins to copy but then it fades away. The simple preaching and teaching of the Word has fallen out of fashion but thank God it will last. Thank God there are still preachers who are faithful to the Word.
Those of you who know me personally know I like to read the "old dead guys". Tozer, Spurgeon, Chambers, Lewis, Smith, Moody, Calvin, Luther. I enjoy reading their writings because Jesus is the "star of the story" if you will. In much of today's bestsellers, you are the star of the story or at least they are generally "all about you" even if they say they aren't. It's like this, you can read about Jesus and come to know Him or you can read about you knowing Jesus. There's a huge difference there ... the latter has the appearance of godliness but denies its power.
It's somewhat frustrating to me to hear my brothers and sisters in Christ say they don't have time to read the Bible yet they then discuss the current Christian bestseller that they are reading. If you have only a limited time to read something, please choose the actual Word of God over anything else.
I know I've written on this subject before but it just continues to be a growing burden on my heart. The topic is the current trend towards what I would call Christian fads. If you visit a Christian bookstore, you'll generally see the current fad displayed somewhere near the door (the Bibles are typically in the back somewhere). It will generally look like this...
There will be a book, some coffee mugs, some key chains, some T-shirts, a bracelet or some other form of jewelry, maybe a calendar or special journal, etc. You've seen them ... the purpose or the passion or the prayer or the program.
They change about every 3 to 6 months or so simply because there is no power of God in them. The danger is people are putting their faith in a book or study to change their lives. If you put your faith in anything but Christ and the cross you are in the land of idolatry. Fads aren't just found in the bookstores, they are found in the pulpits and other venues. There are fads in ministry that everyone begins to copy but then it fades away. The simple preaching and teaching of the Word has fallen out of fashion but thank God it will last. Thank God there are still preachers who are faithful to the Word.
Those of you who know me personally know I like to read the "old dead guys". Tozer, Spurgeon, Chambers, Lewis, Smith, Moody, Calvin, Luther. I enjoy reading their writings because Jesus is the "star of the story" if you will. In much of today's bestsellers, you are the star of the story or at least they are generally "all about you" even if they say they aren't. It's like this, you can read about Jesus and come to know Him or you can read about you knowing Jesus. There's a huge difference there ... the latter has the appearance of godliness but denies its power.
It's somewhat frustrating to me to hear my brothers and sisters in Christ say they don't have time to read the Bible yet they then discuss the current Christian bestseller that they are reading. If you have only a limited time to read something, please choose the actual Word of God over anything else.
Copyright © 2006 Greg Holl. All rights reserved.
