I’ve learned a new word this week; Syncretism. It means “a fusion of cultures.” It’s become the religion of choice in North America. We cut what we like about Buddhism, Mormonism, our friends advice, Christianity etc. and fuse it all together into our own religion. If others disagree, thats OK too. They can fuse together their own religion. All fusions are tolerated; the syncretistic is only intolerant of those they consider intolerant. It’s those who believe in absolutes, in something or Someone above and beyond us that can’t be tolerated. If there is an Absolute, our fusion is flawed. In the end we don’t deny Christ, we dethrone Him.
Barna research reported that American adults, by a 3-to-1 margin said truth is always relative to the person and their situation. 83% of teenagers said that moral truth depends on the situation and only 6% said that moral truth is absolute. The fusion of different ideas won’t set you free.
Syncretism is a religion of fear. We’re afraid of Absolute truth because we are afraid of change, our change. In the abortion debate, “When does life begin?” is a question avoided. Instead we have shadow discussions about choice and freedom. Macro evolution debates are focused more around church and state rather than around the origins and complexity of life. Truth can be a scary thing.
Believers in Christ must walk fearlessly. If the Bible is true in everything it teaches (as Cottonwood’s doctrinal statement says), then bring on the debate! Lets explore any and all theories about the beginning of our universe. May truth win! Lets debate when life begins and look at when a fetus feels pain, when the heart begins to pump blood, etc and focus our discussion on truth rather than choice. Truth is absolute, it’s stubborn, and it changes the way you live. The Truth will set you free Jn 8:32. Walk Fearlessly.
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