Affirming Theology
God Has the Final Say
We come from many church traditions. Some are more strict than others.
In high school, I met a girl who said she goes to an “of the devil” church because everything is “of the devil,” referring to music, sex, and movies.
My response was that in my church experience, which was superficial, anything goes. Who is right?
We can agree on one thing: God has the final say.
What about this idea of “affirming theology?” Is that what God wants us to do? Even with a superficial reading of the Bible, we find good and evil. Churches are to be a light in the darkness. We are given the Scriptures, which God inspired.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17, NIV)
Underscore the words “rebuking” and “correcting.” That’s the opposite of affirming.
When it comes to the “anything goes” church, how do they interpret this passage? The fact is there is no “anything goes church” in reality. Just like there is no “of the devil” church, it’s just that our church traditions will focus on some sins more than others.
But the idea that we would affirm something the Bible calls sinful is wrong. God has the final say.
The book of Revelation warns that some churches will be wrong for what they teach. Rather than holding on to Christ’s teachings, they have “moved on” to other teachings. Notice that these teachings affirm sins, including sexual immorality.
Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: There are some among you who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin so that they ate food sacrificed to idols and committed sexual immorality. Likewise, you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. (Revelation 2:14–16, NIV)
No perfect church tradition exists, but the best ones hold on to Christ’s teachings. Even then, God is the final judge of each church tradition.
I was recently asked, “Why are there so many denominations?” That’s a good question with no easy answers. I prefer to be part of a church focused on keeping God’s word as imperfectly as they may do it. All churches must stay vigilant and repent as the Holy Spirit leads because judgment is coming. God has the final say.
