There are three things which Satan has used to great effect in his bid to destroy the body of Christ. I'll list them below.
1. Postmodernism: Postmodernism is largely the result of the Enlightenment. Previously, fear and superstition reigned supreme. The Enlightenment brought reason and logic; Yahweh's word was interpreted objectively. Postmodernism is a reaction to logic; it posits that nothing is objective, everything is relative. Thus, every person's interpretation of the word is just as valid as any other's. The situation isn't that different from that described in Judges 21:25: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
2. Experience over doctrine. The second tactic Satan has used is getting people to put their experiences above sound doctrine and teaching. The evidence of this is the emphasis on praise and worship over preaching and teaching. People work themselves into a mystical state which they mistake for direct communion Yahweh. Why bother with the word when you can experience Him directly. Why bother with study when you can be "Spirit-filled."
3. Authority of the word lessened. When Satan can't get people to abandon the Bible he convinces them to think they have "fresh revelation." That is, discoveries in the word that others have supposedly overlooked for centuries. One common tactic is to refer to modern Christianity as the "second reformation." In other words, the Protestant Reformation was the first reformation, bringing with it unknown truths in the word. The second reformation is similar: it brings to light fresh ideas that have been overlooked. But the comparison is faulty. The Protestant Reformation revealed truths that had been deliberately hidden; the so-called second reformation brings new and unfounded interpretations of scripture and sound doctrine that have been studied thoroughly and accepted.
Satan has may other tactics, but to me these three seem like major tools in his arsenal at the moment. Whenever you encounter them don't walk, run.
1. Postmodernism: Postmodernism is largely the result of the Enlightenment. Previously, fear and superstition reigned supreme. The Enlightenment brought reason and logic; Yahweh's word was interpreted objectively. Postmodernism is a reaction to logic; it posits that nothing is objective, everything is relative. Thus, every person's interpretation of the word is just as valid as any other's. The situation isn't that different from that described in Judges 21:25: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes."
2. Experience over doctrine. The second tactic Satan has used is getting people to put their experiences above sound doctrine and teaching. The evidence of this is the emphasis on praise and worship over preaching and teaching. People work themselves into a mystical state which they mistake for direct communion Yahweh. Why bother with the word when you can experience Him directly. Why bother with study when you can be "Spirit-filled."
3. Authority of the word lessened. When Satan can't get people to abandon the Bible he convinces them to think they have "fresh revelation." That is, discoveries in the word that others have supposedly overlooked for centuries. One common tactic is to refer to modern Christianity as the "second reformation." In other words, the Protestant Reformation was the first reformation, bringing with it unknown truths in the word. The second reformation is similar: it brings to light fresh ideas that have been overlooked. But the comparison is faulty. The Protestant Reformation revealed truths that had been deliberately hidden; the so-called second reformation brings new and unfounded interpretations of scripture and sound doctrine that have been studied thoroughly and accepted.
Satan has may other tactics, but to me these three seem like major tools in his arsenal at the moment. Whenever you encounter them don't walk, run.
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