Dan Brown, author of the "Da Vinci Code," made a comment on New Hampshire public radio. It was this, "Religion is a work in progress, we learn from its mistakes, we evolve and mature and exactly that is what keeps religion relevant and exciting."
In Hebrews 12:2 the Bible calls Jesus "... Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith." In other words, the Bible says Jesus not only created but completed Christianity which is called faith. In Hebrews 11:1-2, the Bible also defines faith "as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." And we find in Romans 10:17 that "faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." So faith is a belief that is founded on and completed by Jesus. It is our evidence that what the Bible tells us is true and the basis of our hope in the promise we find there.
Our faith comes from what the Bible says and it has said the same thing for almost 2000 years, it has not changed. We find in Hebrews 13:8, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever," so, He does not change either. What does the Bible say to those who follow Christ, should they change with the culture? In Romans 12:2 we are urged "not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." So even believers are told not to change, but why?
Christianity finds its relevance in this way. Romans 3:23 says "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," and James 2:10 adds "For whoever shall keep the whole law (Law of God), and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."
The end result of this guilt is shown in Revelation 21:8: "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." So God, being a relevant God, came up with the solution. John 3:16 says "for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." and 1 Timothy 1:15: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." So that "he who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already," John 3:18. So we find in Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
Now that's exciting and relevant.
n Shaun Hartman is a member of the Carson Valley Ministers' Association.
