A Letter to the Editor

Go Looking for The Truth

I would like to point out some logical fallacies and hypocritical irony from Ms. Virginia Wolf’s September 19th article, “Go looking for a church.” Her article can be summed in her sentence, “But the biggest reason [people don’t attend church] is the failure to find relevance or meaning in church—a lack of belief in what a church espouses.” This is the popular post-modern absolute truth statement that “there is no such thing as absolute truth, but truth is whatever you believe it to be or find to be relevant.” I hope you caught the irony!

Ms. Wolf then goes on to say, “First and foremost, we support freedom of belief.” She then lists other religions, like Christianity and Islam and says, “…all are welcome who search for truth.” Here again, what is truth? She defines truth as, whatever you think is relevant is true. She, for example, didn’t tolerate, welcome, or celebrate her American Baptist upbringing, but judged it to be untrue because she found it irrelevant. With this logic, should a serial killer who believes that murder is the true way to go, look for a church community that welcomes and tolerates that truth?” No, believing that serial killing is good, and even finding others who agree with you and find it relevant, doesn’t make it true. Even the religions she mentions are not so open minded that their brains fall out.

Christianity, do have one thing in common. They all only teach what a person must do. She says, “…we are sure that we are called to help others…” Many churches simply tell you what you need to do. A Christian congregation is unique in that it tells you what the One True God has done for you. Jesus, God’s Son, says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one gets to the Father, but by Me.” Yes, I know this isn’t the popular dogma of “all roads lead to heaven.” Yet, the absolute truth is that we are all sinners, from serial killers to pastors, and there is nothing we can do to save ourselves. Jesus alone, truly loved His neighbor as Himself, and He then died on the cross for all our sins. A truly Christian church is always relevant because it speaks the truth of what we need to hear not what we want to hear or find relevant this week. The absolute truth is that we are sinners, but for the sake of Jesus alone, God declares us righteous. Do Christians love their neighbor and do good works? Yes, but out of thanksgiving to God for His love and grace.

Finally, Jesus also says, “Beware of wolves in sheep’s clothing who try to lead you to hell with lies in the name of truth.” I doubt Ms. Wolf sees the irony. Instead of looking for a church that will tell you anything you want to hear, why not go looking for THE truth, and attend a church that teaches It. I invite Ms. Wolf to attend my congregation—Gods wants all to believe the truth. – Pastor T. Clint Stark

P.S. Along the same lines of going through old writings, a member emailed me last week that they heard me online from a few years back. I share these with you too:

Interview and study of John 20 (scroll down to number 3:

Sermonette: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/meditation-on-john-20-19- 31/id1263247410?i=1000479466009