Galesburg, IL churches come in many varieties. If you’ve been searching for a church in Galesburg, you’ve likely noticed there are modern options, traditional options, and everything in between. These days, many Christians are highly engaged in the news cycle and deeply concerned about civic issues. From Supreme Court decisions to local school board elections, believers are often engaged in key decisions and issues that shape our social and
political environment.
At a Baptist church, like Harmony Baptist Church, you’ll typically find a Bible-centered approach to these issues. Baptists deal with key cultural issues in the light of God’s Word, with the help of the Holy Spirit, and we maintain that the Bible, not other human beings, is our sole authority regarding these issues. What does that look like? Let’s dig a little deeper.
Human “Authorities” in the Media
When it comes to controversial issues in our society, such as abortion, the environment, and homosexuality, our first impulse as human beings is often to seek out human insights. We may turn to someone on TV, in the newspaper, or on the internet who offers strong arguments and logic that makes sense to us.
Other humans can be a source of insight and information, but Baptists believe we should never view them as ultimate authorities on social and moral issues. In 1 Corinthians 1:20, Paul explains that the wisdom of people in this world has its limitations. Paul writes that people whom society considers “wise,” including public speakers and writers, are not necessarily authoritative in God’s eyes. In God’s eyes, the wisdom of the world is foolishness.
What does this mean for Baptists as we seek to make sense of cultural and political controversies? In general, Baptists are careful not to put our ultimate trust in human authorities, like journalists, TV anchors or politicians, whether or not they’re saying things we want to hear.
God does not always choose the most charismatic or eloquent people to speak His truth. Moses, in the Old Testament is a great example of this fact: Moses was afraid to confront Pharaoh because he knew he didn’t have strong public speaking skills. However, God purposely chose to speak to Pharaoh through Moses anyway, which reveals something key about God’s character. God sometimes prefers not to choose the most magnetic or exciting speakers and writers to accomplish his purposes. The same is true today.
Human “Authorities” in the Church
It’s also a human tendency to turn to religious leaders for help making sense of controversial topics. In some denominations, religious leaders literally tell their followers how to think about key issues. The same religious leader may express different positions over time, but followers are expected to simply accept these changes. For example, Pope Francis recently voiced his opinion on homosexual marriage. The Pope stated that, while marriage should remain between a man and a woman, civil unions between same-sex couples should be protected.
Whether you agree or disagree with the Pope’s pronouncement, the point here is that, in the Catholic church, a single religious leader tells the entire denomination how this key issue should be handled. In Baptist churches, particularly Independent Baptist, this is seen as a mistake. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he makes it clear that human religious leaders can be flawed. in Galatians 1:8, Paul says that if anyone–even an angel from heaven–comes to the Galatian church and preaches something contrary to God’s Word, the church should reject their message.
The Divine Authority of Scripture
Baptists believe that the Bible itself is our sole authority as we navigate political, societal and cultural controversies. This means that individual believers and local congregations should study the Bible carefully and prayerfully, asking for the Holy Spirit to illuminate their understanding of God’s Word. The role of a pastor or spiritual authority within a local congregation is to teach what the Bible says.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 explains that all of the Bible is directly inspired by God Himself, and that it’s useful for our daily needs. A thorough knowledge of the whole Bible is essential, and it’s the only way to make sense of today’s social controversies. That’s a primary reason why Baptist churches focus on substantial, expository preaching. As Baptists meet together each week, studying God’s Word in depth is a key focus. The more we know about what God says in the Bible, the more we can make informed decisions that shape our world today. Unlike human opinions, the Bible is unchanging and perfect, and it can always be trusted.
How do I Navigate Controversial Issues?
Baptists believe that salvation is the first step. When a person is saved, the Holy Spirit begins to guide them, as John 16:13 explains. Where our own wisdom and logic fails, the Holy Spirit can give us spiritual insight.
Next, it’s vital to be part of a church that views Scripture as the sole authority on all human affairs. Check out our Sermons page to see what our Bible-centered approach looks like at Harmony Baptist Church!
It’s also important to be informed about national and world affairs, and this involves reading reliable news sources. However, we should always regard the Bible as our ultimate authority, and we should never get so caught up in these human sources that we’re distracted from the eternal truths in God’s Word.
Finally, it’s important to interact biblically with others in society regarding these controversial issues. Ephesians 4:15 commands us to speak the truth, but to do so in love. Where the Bible is clear about certain issues, it’s appropriate for believers to speak boldly and clearly, even if others around us disagree. However, it’s important that we don’t allow anger, hate, or frustration to cloud our communication. Striking the balance between truthful and loving speech is a constant struggle for all believers. Praying for help in this matter is essential!
Are you seeking to make sense of a particular cultural, social, or moral controversy in the news today? We’d love to look at God’s Word with you and find relevant Bible passages you may find helpful. We’re also glad to pray with you for wisdom and insight. Visit our “Contact” page for our address, phone number, and other contact details!
