Biblical Accuracy or Entertainment? Truth or Popularity?

Our values are evident in what offends us. Are we offended by things which misrepresent God’s precious, perfect Word or by people who point out biblical errors in things we like?

I’ve lost readers and a few friends by exposing errors in popular books, teachings, mini-series, movies, politics, and exercise programs. (Each of these words is linked to a pertinent example.)

 

To be honest, I'm sad how passionately some Christians defend things which misrepresent God's Word. 

 

What's your passion? What offends you? Is it better to share a distorted gospel that's popular with millions or an accurate gospel that's far less popular? 

Is biblical accuracy unimportant if something comforts, entertains, and inspires us? 

Very often when something “Christian” is wildly popular, it's because it presents a softer Jesus and a softer gospel. It takes us on the broad highway, not the narrow path (Matthew 7:13-14). 

We must understand that we're meant to be “picky.” Propaganda always starts with small errors mixed with truth (i.e., Lies in Disguise).

 

In Galatians 1:6-10, Paul affirms the importance of an accurate gospel:

“Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God’s curse!” 

Then he repeats that statement to emphasize the importance, and he explains that we can't be a servant of Christ if we're seeking human approval.

So let me ask again: 

What offends you—things which distort or deny God’s Word or people who point out scriptural errors in something you enjoy?

✞✞✞ 

 

There are many “tests” of our loyalty to biblical truth, but let me highlight one that is fiercely defended by millions of Christians: The Chosen. It's sad to see so many fall under its spell ignoring or justifying the errors it contains, praising and promoting it, letting it shape their view of God, and defending it when it directly contradicts God's Word.

 

When we fully trust God's Word, we don't consider it a small thing when a mini-series unnecessarily creates a new “I Am” statement for Christ that identifies Him as the law of Moses when Scripture says, “So the law was our guardian until Christ came” (Galatians 3:23-24) and “when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses” (Galatians 5:18).

 

When we know the perfection of Christ as the Living Word (John 1:14), we don't consider it a small thing when He is portrayed as needing human help in writing the Beatitudes. 

 

There is no reason that a mini-series about Christ can't be interesting and accurate at the same time.  

 

Do we believe that God thinks it's more important to make the gospel popular than to make it accurate? 

 

See Are You Willing to Address Scriptural Contradictions in The Chosen?  

 

Would you attend a church where the pastor believed that practicing Mormons are his brothers in Christ? Please don't trust such a person to accurately portray the Jesus of the Gospels, who is nothing like the Jesus of Mormonism. See Dallas Jenkins Explains the Story Behind The Chosen.

If you are hooked on The Chosen, I encourage you to listen to this excellent video from a Christian teacher who very graciously explains how he welcomed and appreciated The Chosen, overlooking the errors, until God began opening his eyes to the spirit behind it: Let's Talk About The Chosen.  

Do I have a beef with The Chosen? No, I have a heart for God's people. It makes me sad to see how easily many Christians can be persuaded to accept things that contradict God's Word. We must be prepared to discern error, and we must care deeply when our Lord is misrepresented. Otherwise, we will walk blindly into deception.

 

BLN