Fighting Syncretism

Syncretism is the mixing of truth and error. One common way it is found is when people have their own belief system and then hear about Jesus. They decide to ask Jesus to forgive them of their sins but never break away from their previously existing belief system.

We have been fighting syncretism among the people that we minister to both in Oregon and Mexico. People want to trust in Jesus for forgiveness but do not want to turn away from any of their previously held beliefs. “What fellowship does light have with darkness?” (2 Cor. 6:14).

I am convinced, after many years of studying this problem, that the fundamental reason that people syncretize their beliefs is due to their completely inadequate view of God. The ancient Syrians thought that “the LORD is God of the hills, but not the God of the valleys” (1 Kings 20:28). In the same way, most people think that God is no where close to the infinite, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Creator and Sustainer that he is. “Great is the LORD and greatly to be praised!” (Ps. 48:1).

I am equally convinced that one effective way to combat syncretism is to expose people to the majesty of God through presenting his story as revealed in Scripture starting with before the beginning of everything. “In the beginning God…” “In the beginning was the Word…” “Before Abraham was, I AM.”

This is what I am working on right now. Soon, I hope to have several people in our ministry both here and in Mexico trained to teach who God is, what he has done for us, and what he expects from us. Please pray.