That's a good question

I went to my State Overseer's blog last night and read it as I do most everyday. His latest post was entitled "What do you believe?" That's a good question.

We live a very relative world today. The world view of many if not most people (including many in the church), is that truth is relative. That means what you view as truth is not necessarily what I might consider to be truth. It seems silly but you may actually believe that 2+2 doesn't always equal 4. That's relativism.

This world view is fueled by Postmodern thought (everything is subjective) and a Post-Christian world view (Christianity is not the dominant civil religion). Both views, in a nut-shell, believe that the absolutes that are claimed by Christianity are to be challenged and re-examined.

I am a member of a pentecostal movement known as the Church of God of Prophecy. At the very beginning of our organization, our founders made a statement of faith in their beliefs statement that included the following:

"It was a strong desire to rely solely on the Bible that led the early pioneers of the church to declare their willingness to be free from all man-made creeds and traditions, to take the New Testament as their only rule of faith and practice, and to give each other equal rights and privileges to read and interpret the Bible as their consciences might dictate. These basic tenets remain intact today; however, as the church grew and spread throughout the world, it was seen that there was safety in a "multitude of counselors" when making doctrinal decisions. Thus, today, all doctrinal matters are agreed upon in one accord by the General Assembly."

So what does that mean for me and what I believe.

I believe that God the Father sent His Son Jesus Christ, The Word made flesh, to this Earth to die for our sin.
I believe in the virgin birth of Jesus to Mary.
I believe He lived a sinless life and that He was crucified for my sin and the sin of all mankind.
I believe He was buried for three days and that He was resurrected by the power of the Holy Spirit on the third day.
I believe He was seen of many witnesses and that He ascended to the Father where He intercedes on my behalf to the Father.
I believe He is soon to return to this world to receive unto Him all who are true believers.
I believe in the priesthood of all believers and that the Lord has given each of us the responsibility to share the Good News with all people.
I believe in the apostolic authority of the ministry (multitude of counsel) of the church.
And, I believe in the absolute inerrant, infallible, and authoritative Word of God found in the pages of the Holy Scripture. It is my rule of faith, practice, and government in all things.

So, what do you believe?

I think that's a good question.

Have a blessed day.