Posted: 01/21/08

The Truth War

By Jan Markell

www.olivetreeviews.org

The prophet Isaiah said in his day that truth had fallen in the street (Isa. 59:14). The situation has intensified in the late 20^th and early 21^st centuries.  That is why John MacArthur's book, The Truth War, is one of the most important items to have in your possession today.

Every believer should know and have a love for the truth.  We are in a generation where for convenience, personal gain, and deception-related issues, it is being ignored by many. I am reminded of the verse, "they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved" (2 Thessalonians 2:10). Thus, Solomon's wise words, "Buy truth, and do not sell it" (Proverbs 23:23).

As MacArthur states about our climate today, "Contemporary Christians are determined to get the world to like them, and of course in the process they also want to have as much fun as possible. They are so obsessed with making the church seem 'cool' to unbelievers that they can't be bothered with questions about whether another person's doctrine is sound or not. In a climate like that, the thought of even identifying someone else's teaching as false, (much less 'contending earnestly' for the faith) is a distasteful and a dangerously countercultural suggestion."

MacArthur concludes, "But Christians ought to be the most willing to live and die for truth. Remember, we know the truth, and the truth has set us free (John 8:32). And if called upon to sacrifice for the truth's sake, we need to be willing and prepared to give our lives."

Yet today many so-called evangelicals are openly questioning whether such a thing as truth exists.  Others will say that we can't be sure what it is.  Thus some Christian leaders today-many of them highly respected-just refuse to stand for anything because they have decided that even Scripture isn't clear enough to debate about.  And yet absolute truth is what the Word of God is all about!

Since the onset of the "seeker" movement, the Emergent Church movement, and postmodern thinking of the last 15 years, the sacrificial lamb has been truth.  Again quoting MacArthur, "We cannot sit by and do nothing while worldly, revisionist, and skeptical attitudes about truth are infiltrating the church. We must not embrace such confusion in the name of charity, collegiality, or unity. We have to stand and fight for the truth-and be prepared to die for it-as faithful Christians always have."

He concludes, "Church leaders are obsessed with style and methodology, losing interest in the glory of God, and becoming grossly apathetic about truth and sound doctrine. For the moment, at least, the battle appears to be turning in the enemy's favor."

The truth war is, indeed, a war. Warfare is serious. It requires diligence. It requires paying a price. It will cost you. You may not be popular.  And many of today's believers have no taste for conflict and contention. Enemies of the truth are relentless. Casualties abound.

So, will you stand for truth, or go the way of many today--including some evangelical leaders--and opt for compromise?

Since you are called for such a time as this, you are called to stand for truth in today's deceptive world and church.  Please report for duty.

By Jan Markell Click here for bio and archived articles