PAUL'S DESCRIPTION OF
MODERN RELIGIOUS FUNDAMENTALISM
The Apostle Paul plainly
warned us of the perilous times in which we now live. He is
talking about religious teachers and leaders, false prophets who for personal
gain deceive the souls of men, when he says, "Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof" (II Tim, 3:5). These men have an
external show of religion. They pretend to be holy, zealous men, who are
concerned for the souls of men and the glory of God. They pretend to be men of
great faith who preach the gospel. But in reality they deny the very heart of
the gospel - its' power and efficacy. They profess that the Scriptures are the
Word of God, but deny the power of the Word to produce faith and life. They
profess to believe Christ, but deny the power and efficacy of his
righteousness, his blood, and his intercession. They would have us to believe
that Christ's saving power depends upon man's will, consent, and permission!
They talk about the Holy Spirit, but deny his infinite, irresistible power to
give life to dead sinners, convince men of sin, and bring them to Christ in
saving faith. They talk much about God, but deny God's power to sovereignly
rule the world and save whom he will. I say to you, in the words of the Apostle
Paul, concerning the religious leaders of our day "from such turn
away"!