The Misuse of Scripture to Promote "Fads"

• Introduction to the General Issue (this page)

• A Specific Example: The Misuse of Scripture to promote a "Health Fad"

  (Though this focuses on one specific example, the main principle can be applied to any fad.)

• A Commentary on 1 Corinthians 5-6

  (Examining the context of some verses that are often used to promote this specific "Health Fad" - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.)

Introduction to the General Issue

If you listen to very many "Christian" speakers, radio programs, and preachers, it probably won't take long for you to realize that, for just about every fad that exists on the market, there is a "christianized" version of it. There are so many of them, that a person who tried to do everything these people claim is "Christian," would never have enough time to do it all! Worse yet, he would not have time to do those things that God does command him to do. He would not have time to "grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." Nor would he have time to "love God with all his heart, soul, strength and mind," or to "love his neighbor as himself."

Promoters of such fads often quote Scripture, to "prove" that we must participate in their fad, if we want to be doing things the "Christian" way. Their words often suggest that we are less "spiritual," or completely outside the will of God, if we don't. Though, perhaps, there may be some value to some of the fads, the very fact that they try to use the Bible to push their opinions upon the rest of us brings them under the judgment of God. We must reject their twisting of God's Word, regardless of any merit we may see in what they are trying to promote. Regardless of our own opinions about the fad - even if we are strong "believers" in its merit - this misuse of Scripture, to promote one's own personal opinion, is something we must strongly oppose.

• NEXT PART - A Specific Example: The Misuse of Scripture to promote a "Health Fad"

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Dennis Hinks © 1993, revised 2004
040903