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"Now in our 25th year of standing for truth!"

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Eric & Melanie Barger

Standing Against the Unbiblical Tide

 

Late October marks the beginning of our 25th year of full-time apologetics ministry. Just as in those early days, our focus has remained steadfast. Our mission has always been to win the lost and to boldly call the Church to examine and then live according to the Scriptures. With that in mind, I want to take just a moment to reiterate some important points that I shared with our supporters when acknowledging their donations this month.

If you've been reading our newsletters, email updates or website you have heard me warn about and document some of the troubling trends and fads in the Church today. My friend, the battle line separating those who merely claim to be Christian and those dedicated to completely serve the Lord is becoming more and more pronounced. Thus, I believe its time for a reevaluation of our terms, vocabulary and perhaps even a clarification of our beliefs.

Years ago, I erroneously thought that we Evangelicals were somehow safe. After all, how could those who really believe the Bible ever follow the majority of the old mainline denominations into abandoning the Scriptures and the mess that act has created? It could never happen to us, right? We once seemed to proudly proclaim our allegiance to God's word by announcing ourselves as "Evangelicals." The term seemed to separate us from religious wanna-bes who perhaps used the jargon or claimed the title but were in reality not authentic Bible-believing Christians. However, if I should today describe myself as an "Evangelical," I quickly find myself reciting a disclaimer defining just exactly what I am referring to. Sadly, like the once-biblical mainliners before us, just merely claiming Christianity and saying we believe the Bible doesn't make it so.

Simply put, the way Satan is derailing Evangelicals is through slowly infiltrating the Church with widespread unbiblical teaching and a steady diet of biblical ignorance. The hunger, discipline and patience it takes to live in God's truth, operate in His matchless anointing and be radically led by the Holy Spirit has given way to formulas, techniques and the plans of men. Authentic Christianity, like a hundred ton boulder, hasn't moved. It is still where its been for 2000 years. The truth is that growing segments of what alleges to be "The Church" has moved away from authentic Christianity. As the denominations slowly morphed into the "cult of liberalism," Evangelicals should have noted that without a constant stirring of holiness and ongoing Christ-centered revival the same plight would someday be ours as well.

This is not at all easy to verbalize. It is hard for many to swallow and people don't exactly want to hear it. The stuff I've stated here is often deemed "negative," especially when we've been told again and again that Christianity is about earthly successes and not eternal attributes. A lot of folks just want to believe that everything is OK with us, our Church and our belief systems. Thankfully, there are millions of on-fire Believers and many, many good churches where the Word is boldly preached. But just being content in that doesn't solve the growing plight of the Evangelicals as long as the "seeker," "purpose driven," and "emergent," church models continue to be confused with authentic Christianity. Just verbalizing that last contention has cost me in financial support and a few places to preach as of late as I have been deemed "narrow," "unloving" and "judgmental." But if I was going to allow that kind of opposition to persuade me I would have folded and run years ago when a jihadist Muslim spouted the first of several death threats at me. Aggressive apologetics isn't going to win me a popularity contest but in the confused atmosphere found today as one peruses a directory of local churches or the shelves of many Christian bookstores, it is exactly what is needed now.

Its not very appealing to feel like a rejected voice from a bygone era crying in the wilderness. But if it ever gets to me I try and remember that Biblical Christianity isn't going to be popular - especially in the perilous End-Days. It won't be flashy, nor will it be authentic and complete in the various "feel good" messages which are deceiving the masses today. No, unwavering Biblical Christianity is just simply RIGHT and since it wasn't popular with everybody in Peter and Paul's day what makes us think that it will be any different with us IF we stay on message?

So, "Evangelicals," I encourage you. Don't despair, don't get sidetracked and don't quit now. Our eternal rewards are not based on the size of our crowds or the acceptability of our messages. As those entrusted with God's everlasting message, our eternal rewards are directly related to contending for the faith (I Peter 5:8) and standing for truth (John 8:32). That's what its all about. That's also why we need your generous support. There's a whole world out there that needs to be reminded exactly what it means to be a "Bible-believing follower of Jesus Christ." Won't you help us expand our outreach and widen our scope to reach more people for Him during these days?

This month, your gift signals that along with helping us win souls, wage effective spiritual warfare and expose false belief systems, you are personally standing against the unbiblical tide of popular opinion in Christian circles which bemoans any mention of sound doctrine, holy living and repentance from sin. For years, the motto of our ministry has been "Making a Difference in a Dark World." Thanks for helping us with the financial resources to continue doing just that.

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Copyright 2007, Eric Barger