Is your theology as sound as an aspirin?

Did you know that aspirin is the most widely used medication in the world?  Did you know that the active ingredient in aspirin occurs naturally in the bark of the willow tree?  Did you know that the therapeutic use of the willow tree bark was known for 2400 years and it was prescribed by Hippocrates for the treatment of headaches?  Did you know that the typical aspirin contains 90% active ingredient and only 10% filler?

Now, you ask, “What has that to do with theology?”.   Well, how much of your view of God is based on useless filler tradition and how much of it is active ingredient, sound Biblical truth?  How much of the teachings and sermons preached in today’s churches, is inert filler?  How much is stories and humor to keep the folks in the pews comfortable?  How much is myth?  Recently we had a sermon about the myths of the traditional Christmas story.  Much of the Christmas story is Hallmark generated.  There were no 3 kings at the manger in Bethlehem.  There were no kings, period!  There were magi but we don’t know how many! The inn was not a commercial inn with a grumpy inn keeper.  There is no mention of the star of Bethlehem, although there was a star.  The magi were not present with the shepherds.  Now none of these “myths” are harmful but they are not accurate. 

There are, however, myths taught in many churches that resemble the false teachings of the Pharisees. The Pharisees added to the law of Moses.  Paul warned the Corinthians to follow the principle of “nothing beyond what is written".  Adding to the Word, started in the Garden of Eden.  Eve tells satan that they were not to eat of the tree or even touch it.  There is no record of God telling Adam anything about touching the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  Maybe Adam added that when conveying the message to Eve; sort of like when we tell our kids, “Don’t even think about it!”

Why do I mention all of this?  I want each of us to examine our theology and determine how much is based on tradition and how much is really based on the Word of God.  How much is based on our personal experiences trying to make us feel better, to justify ourselves?  It could not be that my faith is smaller than a mustard seed!  It could not be that my faith is smaller that a single atom of Hydrogen, the smallest element on the Periodic Table?  How much of it is based on making the people in the pews feels better? How much is based on some theologian who has been dead for years?  How much is based on being politically correct?  How much is based on what some guy in Rome, with a funny hat, said?  How much is based of what is taught in some liberal seminary someplace?  How much is based on what some "denomination" tells you is correct? How much is said in order to get the people in the pews to fund more brick and mortar, to keep the A/C and heat on?  

Isn't it amazing what happened in the Church in Acts, before A/C, before surround sound, before digital projection.  The Word was preached.  God confirmed His Word with signs and wonders.  Thousands joined the church in a single day!  

If the proof is in the pudding, today's church is in big trouble! Jesus said: "these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well."  He did not say, "these signs shall accompany  the apostles or these signs shall accompany  the 12 disciples".  He DID say, "these signs shall accompany  those who believe" 

Let the WORD do its’ work!  God needs us to preach it!  The Holy Spirit can do the rest! He does not need us to expand on it or expound on it!  He does not need us to explain it! How many times does He need to say something before we accept it?  He does not need us to understand it all.  If we could, it would not be called “faith”.  Your mind, my mind is not big enough to understand it.  We just need to do it!  Do His Word!  There is nothing that we can add that will help it.  May God’s WORD INCREASE!  May man’s words decrease!

Paul told the young Timothy:

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove , rebuke , exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears.

Follow the example of the aspirin, 90% active ingredient, 10% inert filler.