Start with the Right Foundation

Stone Wall

The Unitarian Universalist church is an interesting denomination. While it does share roots, historically, with Protestant churches, it is not really a “Christian” denomination. Perhaps it is more accurate to say that “Christianity” is only a part of its identity. This group welcomes and accepts various forms of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and even atheism. They simply ignore the things that most obviously divide these groups and focus on personal “spiritual” growth.

There is one of these churches that I pass on my way to and from work everyday. On their sign by the road, they have a message board they change once a week or so. They use this to provide concise messages to the public, reflecting their liberal religious (and even political) views. These messages sometimes say things that other churches/Christians do or believe, but will not admit. The most recent message is an example of this:

We provide ethical goals – You supply your theology

This statement reflects a concept present in the Unitarian Universalist church. This same concept is also present in people from all sorts of religious backgrounds. The relationship between ethics and theology is turned around backwards.

According to the above statement, one is to start by understanding proper ethics. These ethics are then to help shape their theology (concept of God). So they begin with certain beliefs and fit God into those beliefs (if possible).

This explains why this church openly defends things like gay marriage, environmentalism, etc. They already have the beliefs (and they are willing to provide these to you). After that, all one needs to do is find or invent a “god” that will support their beliefs, morals, and ethics. This is the wrong approach. It causes one to build upon the foundation of man’s ideas.

The right approach is to start with God (theology). The foundation we must build upon is the existence, nature, and character of God. Ethics and morals are then built upon this since God defines them. He shows us what is ethical and moral in His character and has outlined these things in His word.

Remember the parable of the wise man who built his house upon a rock and the foolish man who built his house upon the sand (Matthew 7:24-27). Do not build upon the thinking of men, which invariably changes with time. Build upon the Rock – Almighty God and the Lord Jesus Christ!



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