explain that which was not understood. How about the myth of Bigfoot? Another fancy of man’s imagination, based not on truth and fact, but on dreams and tales. Of course you’ve heard of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. A mythical beast based upon old folk tales. But the interesting thing is that, down through the years, such tales have always had their supporters.
Then there are others: UFO’s have landed at Roswell, New Mexico, and the Bermuda Triangle isn’t a safe place to travel. Have you ever been told that bats will get caught in your hair? Or that you can get warts from handling toads? Our past is filled with myths. But what about our present and future?
I would invite you to consider several Bible passages. The first four deal with the fact that Christ's followers have been warned that at the time of His ministry and at the time of the end, religious myths would be offered up to those who were not wary:
Mark 7:7-8 And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.' 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men..."
Matt 24:4-5, 11 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many…11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
Mark 13:22-23 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 23 But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
2 Tim 4:3-4 for the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
The other three passages give us clues on how to avoid being caught up by erroneous teachings, these myths and fables:
Isa 8:20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.
2 Tim 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Acts 17:11 These (the Bereans) were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.
The basic rule seems to be: test the teaching according to the scripture. You can find in the bookstores a vast number of books filled with the religious ideas of many authors. If you’ve perused more than a small
handful, you will notice that there are points of disagreement between them. Which, if any, should you and I believe? I would suggest that our response should always be: That which the Bible in its entirety teaches is what is important; what man teaches or thinks is not. In other words, we know there are going to be lots of false teachings in the last days. Are we willing to study the Scriptures in depth for ourselves, or accept without close scrutiny the words of someone else, even someone we’ve grown up knowing? Remember, Adam trusted Eve; Sampson trusted Delilah; Jacob trusted Laban; the eleven trusted Judas. Just because the old-time religion was good enough for Grandpa doesn’t mean it is good enough for our salvation.
Dr. G
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