Truth above question
Over the past week presidential candidate Barack Obama has faced tough questions concerning statements made by his preacher. Without question for most of America these statements would make us very uncomfortable. If Mr. Wright, Barack Obama’s preacher, were running for office he certainly would have committed political suicide. The real question is not on the worthiness of Mr. Wright to be president. The real questions center around the candidate Barack Obama.
Does one have a responsibility to react to doctrines taught in their fellowship? Particularly by those in roles of leadership? In religion today not enough study is done by all concerned. What is said in many pulpits goes unchallenged. We accept what is said without question. If it isn’t new, if it isn’t said in a different way we accept it as “truth above question.”
It is easy and perhaps acceptable for us to sit back and condemn Barack Obama. Most of America would have left Barack’s church had we heard what Senator Obama heard. At the very least we would have taken the preacher aside and explained why he was wrong. The majority of the 8500 who attend this church didn’t leave. They didn’t complain, as a matter of fact many gave the preacher a pat him on the back, encouraging more of the same. A major question is why?
The reason those attending the church didn’t leave or correct his error is based on the fact that this was something they had heard many times. This wasn’t said once or twice. Instead these people, including Barack Obama, heard a steady diet of a damaging doctrine called ”Black liberation theology.” This became the norm and accepted doctrine with those who heard this doctrine. If you are told the same thing long enough it becomes “truth above question.”
Does this matter for us? Absolutely! It is important on two counts. Obviously, if Barack Obama becomes the candidate of the Democrat party, we must decide if his values are the values we want for our country. Much more important is the principle being laid bare in the firestorm surrounding Barack Obama. This principle is simple: if we are told the same things long enough, what we have been told becomes “truth above question.”
Is this a problem for the Lord’s church? I hope that I am wrong, but I fear I am not. We have heard the same arguments and same doctrines presented in the same way so often that we have accepted them as “truth above question.” If we stop seeking truth, regardless of how noble our intent, we fall into the same category as Barack Obama and those who belong to Jeremiah Wright’s former church. We become those who accept what is being said as “truth above question.” Let us develop the attitude of the Berean’s. Let’s search the Scriptures daily to see if the things being taught are true. Our only alternative to the attitude of the Berean’s is to allow those things being taught to be “truth above question.” Making correct choices does matter.
