It must be true, I read it on the internet

The internet has changed how we access information.  About 8 years ago the University of Michigan School of Dentistry closed their library.  It was one of the best in the world with books and journals going back to 1800’s.  It closed because it was no longer being used.  Everything has been digitized and is accessible online.  Students don’t buy textbooks unless mandated by instructors and even then most are never used.  Does that mean that their education is better?  Nope!  In fact, it probably is worse because along with accurate information, much of the information online is inaccurate.  Anybody can place information on the internet and once it is written it is accepted as true.

Now the internet did not create this junk, it just made it easier to publish and find.  This junk goes back 2000 years.  Paul warned 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;  And they shall turn away  their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Paul gave Titus a similar warning:

            But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

In Hebrews, we are instructed to:

Remember your leaders who have spoken God's word to you. As you carefully observe the outcome of their lives, imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Don't be led astray by various kinds of strange teachings.

Now when we are told to remember our leaders it is more than remember who preached last Sunday.  It is implied that we pray for them.  I also find something else very interesting that in the same command we are told not to be lead away with “strange teachings”.  Do you think the Holy Spirit knew a thing or two about leaders. 

Sir John Dalberg-Acton in 1902 said:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."^[4

With this in mind, I find it very interesting that the writer of Hebrews inserts a phrase in that dialogue that may seem out of place initially but after further thought it is very profound.  He states:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

And then follows that with the warning against strange teachings.

Men, all men (and women) have egos, are lazy and are sinners.  We are too lazy too study God’s Word.  Today, with the internet, it is so easy.  It is also easy to be lead astray.  I think the greatest tool of Satan is well intentioned, but mislead, “Christian” writers.  Look at the average Christian bookstore.  Compare all of the books sold and then compare it to the number of Bibles sold.  How many people get their theology from “The Daily Bread”, “Guidepost” or the hundreds of other devotionals?  How many get their theology from TV preachers?  How many get their theology from preachers?  What I am saying? Are these ALL wrong?  No! But they all are men!  Get your theology from the WORD of GOD. 

Prior to the printing press, books were rare.  Bibles were rare!  Before the internet it was difficult to study, dissect and critically examine the Bible AND men’s teachings.  Today it is easy.  There are many sights where you can search the scriptures. Sadly, most have a lot of Bible commentaries also, more men’s teachings.  Stick to the Word!  Check out different translations.  Remember not all translations are equally accurate.  Some are paraphrasing’s.  Some are from just one man.  Most websites will also allow you to check out the original Greek or Hebrew words along with definitions.  Many Hebrew words are translated into many different English words.  The Holy Spirit was not a sloppy writer, nor was He using a Thesaurus to impress people like men do today!  He, the Holy Spirit, was not trying to impress anybody. He was trying to make it simple.   He was teaching simple people, uneducated people, poor people, broken people, sick people, carpenters, fishermen, farmers, tax collectors, drunks, whores, pimps, adulterers, idolators in other words, “sinners”.  These people did not go to some seminary.  Use scripture to interpret scripture!  The simplest interpretation is probably the correct one!  Read scripture like a child!  With an open mind!  Children read things literally, trustingly.  Read commentaries and men’s teachings critically, skeptically.  Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Remember “Be Careful”, when the person teaching says, “Today we know….”, or “Most Bible scholars tell us…” Be really careful when they start name dropping and quoting sources, other than scripture.  How much scripture is used?  Read all scripture in context!  Read the entire chapter or chapters!  Cross reference scripture!  Check out the original Greek and Hebrew, particularly nouns and verbs.  How many ways can the word be translated?  Check out where these Greek and Hebrew words are used elsewhere in scripture!  Are there other Greek or Hebrew words that are translated into the same English word?  You will be amazed at what you have missed! 

Always know:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

P. S.  A good website is: http://www.biblestudytools.com