By: Dale Weckbacher
Colossians 2:8-10
Beware lest anyone
cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of
men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to
Christ. 9 For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you
are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.
NKJV
The philosophies of the world are full of deceit and
emptiness. This is why the secular world
must continually change their philosophies as it becomes evident they are
unable to deal with the tough questions in life. Believers who have the Word of God have no
reason to resort to these failed philosophies.
Unfortunately, many false philosophies have crept into the
church and have resulted in many false theologies. Among these are liberation theology, dual covenant
theology, and replacement theology. Let
us take a moment to point out the fallacies of these theologies.
1) Liberation
Theology – This theology is a school of thought exploring the relationship
between Christian theology and political activism, particularly in the areas of
social justice, poverty, and human rights.
The main methodology of liberation theology is to do theology (i.e.
speak of God) from the viewpoint of the economically poor and oppressed of the
human community. (1) The starting point of this theology is the social text or
suffering of the poor and then a turning to scripture. (2) This is the theology of Jeremiah Wright’s
church in Chicago and we are beginning to see it creep into the Catholic Church
with the Pope’s recent condemnation of capitalism. (3) This theology is against the teachings of the
Bible which promises eternity with God for those believing in Jesus as savior
(John 3:16) and urges believers not to focus on earthly gain at the expense of
one’s soul (Mark 8:36). Liberation
theology is flawed because it over emphasizes the social plight of people on
earth and in its extreme even condones violent uprising in an effort to
eliminate the suffering of the oppressed.
(2) Jesus does call on the church to reach out to
the poor (Matthew 25:31-46) but the main mission of the church is to share the
Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16).
Liberation theology is an attempt by the enemy to distract the Church
from its true mission.
2) Dual
Covenant Theology – This theology is a liberal Christian theology that holds
that Jews may simply keep the Law of Moses and be saved because the law is an
“everlasting covenant (Genesis 17:13). (4) However scripture debunks this theology for
it says
a. Jesus
came to save the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24)
b. Jesus
said he was the way and that no one could come to the Father but through Him
(John 14:6). Since Jesus was addressing
Jewish people here, if Jewish people could find salvation some other way, Jesus
was a liar. However, what about the
Jewish Law, is it now null and void?
Absolutely not for the purpose of the Law is to demonstrate how humanity
is unable to live up to God’s high standard in their own power and needs a
savior (Romans 7). In saying he was the
way, Jesus was declaring he was that savior.
3) Replacement
Theology – This theology teaches that due to the rejection of Jesus by the
Jews, the church has replaced them in Gods plans. (4) The flaw in this theology is that if God can
renege on His promises because we disobey Him, we are all guilty (Romans 3:23)
and God’s promises to each of us are null and void. As a result of this disobedience, we all are
sentenced to death (Romans 6:23). Fortunately,
however, God is a merciful God and sent His Son to save lost humanity. As such God’s promises to the Nation of
Israel will be fulfilled. However, each
individual Jew and Gentile must accept Jesus as his or her savior to be saved. I therefore urge anyone reading this to pray
this prayer with me and make Jesus your savior.
Dear Lord Jesus, I
know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death
(Romans 6:23). I ask you to forgive me
of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9). I believe you died, was buried, and
resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.
As the return of Jesus Christ draws nearer, more false
theologies will crop up and attempt to infiltrate the Church. That is why each of us must study the Word of
God so we will be able to discern these false teachings for as the Word reminds
us.
John 8:32
And you shall know
the truth, and the truth shall make you free."
NKJV
1. Theopedia.
Liberation Theology. www.theopedia.com. [Online] Theopedia. [Cited: July
26, 2015.] www.theopedia.com/liberation-theology.
2. John Coffy. 'To
release the oppressed': Reclaiming a biblical theology of liberation by John
Coffy. www.jubilee-centre.org. [Online] Jubilee Centre. [Cited: July 26,
2015.]
www.jubilee-centre.org/to-release-the-oppressed-reclaiming-a-biblical-theology-of-liberation-by-john-coffey/.
3. The Guardian.
www.theguardian.com. Unbridled capitalism is the 'dung of the devil', says
Pope Francis. [Online] The Guardian, July 9, 2015. [Cited: July 26, 2015.]
www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/10/poor-must-change-new-colonialism-of-economic-order-says-pope-francis.
4. Hagee, John.
John Hagee and Dual covenant Theology Telling the Jews They Don't Need Jesus. www.nowtheendbegins.com.
[Online] Now The End Begins. [Cited: July 26, 2015.]
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