A recent poll of Evangelical leaders lists their top moral concerns. The National Association of Evangelicals conducts monthly polls among many denominational, university, publishing and missionary leaders.
This month revealed these leaders' top moral concerns: abortion, moral relativism and mistreatment of others nearly tied in importance.
What is more interesting than this list is what is missing: doctrine.
The concern of moral relativism from these leaders is more a concern about society in general and truth in the abstract. As the article noted, NAE board member Carpenter said the problem is "a non-belief in Absolute Truth which permeates every other arena of our society."
If he meant to include the church in that sweeping declaration, then he is right on the money. And concern about abortion and mistreatment are certainly worthy of attention. But doctrinal decline is a moral concern as well.
That is the missing element in many churches and leadership statement these days: believing in falsities about God is a moral issue. And it is a violation of the first table of the Law. For to love God with all our heart, soul and mind, is to want to know Him more and not less. It is to know Him in truth, to know who and what He is and is doing for us.
It is to follow the truth of the Bible where it leads. And it leads to doctrine--that systematic teaching of the truth of God and His ways. Acts 2:42 reminds us today that is was not only fellowship and prayer that helped grow the church but doctrine as well. In fact, how can one have open fellowship and intimate prayer based upon untruths?
To ask the question is to answer the question.
So, next time you hear about the moral woes of America, remember, doctrinal ignorance is a moral concern as well. And a serious one at that.
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