“What are we to make of Christ?” There is no question of what we can make of Him; it is entirely a question of what He intends to make of us. You must accept or reject the story.
—C.S. Lewis
I’m a member of a parish of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA). Each week during Sunday worship we recite the words of the Nicene Creed, a widely accepted collective statement of faith in the triune God. I’ve been reciting the creed for so many years that now it is memorized and literally flows effortlessly out of my mouth each Sunday.
I enjoy communal prayers, but with this form of prayer comes a risk—the words become so familiar they can lose personal meaning. The renowned Scottish theologian Oswald Chambers said, “When we become advocates of a creed, something dies; we do not believe God, we only believe our belief about Him.”
This begs the question, “What does it mean to believe something?” I’ve provided two definitions above. I prefer the second one. This leads to another question, “What is the difference in believing something and believing in something.” Surely Satan believes in God, as he has seen God face to face.
“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.” James 2:19 (NIV)
With all this in mind, I’d like to challenge each reader who calls him- or herself a Christian to examine your beliefs in the coming year. Do you believe God? If so, what exactly do you believe and what is the source of your beliefs? Let me preface the remaining discussion by confessing that I have many more questions on this subject than answers.
A Gallup poll conducted in May 2017 indicated that a record few Americans (24%) believe the Bible is the literal word of God (Gallup poll). A 2020 Barna Group survey published by the American Bible Society indicated that “Mainline Protestant denominations had the largest proportion of unchurched adherents (50%) with one in every two members being unchurched, followed by 46% of Catholics, 37% of Evangelicals, and 36% of Historically Black Protestants.” (Barna Group Survey).
Where do you stand on this? If you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God, do you read it frequently? If you answered “no,” why not? How well versed are you in the scriptures? If the Bible isn’t the source of your Christian beliefs, what is? If you profess to be a Christian and don’t regularly attend church, why don’t you?
The bottom line of my thought process can be summed up like this: “If you can’t articulate what you believe, how can you live what you believe?” In the coming year, I challenge each reader to answer the following questions for themselves. Take time to research the scriptures and other authoritative sources as you formulate your answers. Try to discuss “why” or “why not” in each of your answers.
- Do you “believe” God or do you “believe in” God?
- Do you believe the Bible is the inspired word of God or just a book of wisdom?
- Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” What does it mean to fear the Lord?
- Do you believe the creation story in Genesis 1 is literal or figurative?
- Is Jesus the son of God or simply a great moral teacher?
- Do you believe in the virgin birth?
- What is sin and what is salvation?
- Do you believe Jesus died for your sins?
- Did Jesus really rise from the dead?
- Is Jesus the only pathway to God, as He said, or are there other paths?
Many people claim we’re presently living in a “post-Christian” era today, where Western cultures are increasingly embracing secularism and turning their backs on their original Judeo-Christian roots. More and more, we see Christians accused of being racists, bigots, homophobes, transphobes and a host of other slurs because of their beliefs. This is occurring both before the law, in the media, and in the court of public opinion. When your faith is eventually questioned by a non-Christian, as it inevitably will be, will you be prepared to articulate what you believe or will you silently submit to their accusations?
I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the Lord heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
—Psalm 34:4-8 (NIV)
Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through prophecy when the body of elders laid their hands on you. Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. —1 Timothy 4:13-16 (NIV)
Divine Simplicity 
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