Wiki Faith
“Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’"—2 Timothy 2:17b-19 (ESV)
On March 30, 2009, Oscar-winning French composer Maurice Jarre died. Newspapers and websites were filled with articles reporting on his death. Quotes from Jarre’s life abounded. One quote was particularly memorable. He said, “When I die there will be a final waltz playing in my head.” This quote, along with several others, was cited in newspapers and on websites around the world. There was only one problem with it; he never said it. The quote came courtesy of Shane Fitzgerald, a 22-year-old college student in Ireland. Right after Jarre died, Fitzgerald went to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and entered the quotes. Journalists all over the world went to Wikipedia and took Fitzgerald’s words as Jarre’s own and put them in print. Fitzgerald expected small newspapers to use them, but was quite surprised when major news agencies published them. He anticipated the larger publications to do their due diligence by performing some fact checks, but they didn’t, resulting in a huge case of international embarrassment for some very well established newspapers.
Many men and women in the world today have a type of Wikipedia faith, where they create the definition of what is or is not true. There are two aspects to Wiki-Faith. The first aspect takes other worldviews for granted without checking out whether or not they are true. The second aspect of Wiki-Faith wants to make up its own definition for who God is and what He has done. Individuals who have this kind of faith want to rewrite truth itself by making it appeal to who they are. People all over the world build their life on Wiki-Faith, but there is only one major problem. It isn’t true. It’s a lie and it’s all made up.
In order to have a proper understanding of truth, we need to go to the source of truth, which is Jesus (John 14:6; 8:32). Jesus is truth personified. The Bible is truth codified. By following the Bible, we are sanctified (John 17:17).
Our passage for today is about two men who had their own type of Wiki-Faith: Hymenaeus and Philetus. Our text mentions that they had “swerved from the truth.” They left the truth of the Bible behind, freeing themselves to make up their own truth, which they did by saying that the resurrection had already happened. People in our world create their own truth: “God doesn’t have a problem with my sin.” Or, “God wants me to be happy and won’t mind if I divorce my spouse.” Examples abound of individuals in our world creating their own truth. And like the character Cypher in The Matrix, we choose to live a lie rather than face the truth of our condition before God, refusing to live according to His standards.
The Holy Spirit by the Apostle Paul responded by saying, “God’s firm foundation stands.” Nothing can change the truth of God’s Word. It doesn’t change because of what someone says or does. It will endure forever. People may choose to live a lie, but God's truth will prevail.
God’s Word will stand because it’s true and life changing. That’s why Paul says, “God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’” Those who respond to God’s Word are transformed because they have come to know Jesus Christ. We have been set free from sin by truth Himself (John 8:32). May we reject any type of Wiki-Faith that comes our way, submitting ourselves to the only truth there is: Jesus Christ and His Word. Amen.
On March 30, 2009, Oscar-winning French composer Maurice Jarre died. Newspapers and websites were filled with articles reporting on his death. Quotes from Jarre’s life abounded. One quote was particularly memorable. He said, “When I die there will be a final waltz playing in my head.” This quote, along with several others, was cited in newspapers and on websites around the world. There was only one problem with it; he never said it. The quote came courtesy of Shane Fitzgerald, a 22-year-old college student in Ireland. Right after Jarre died, Fitzgerald went to Wikipedia, the free online encyclopedia that anyone can edit, and entered the quotes. Journalists all over the world went to Wikipedia and took Fitzgerald’s words as Jarre’s own and put them in print. Fitzgerald expected small newspapers to use them, but was quite surprised when major news agencies published them. He anticipated the larger publications to do their due diligence by performing some fact checks, but they didn’t, resulting in a huge case of international embarrassment for some very well established newspapers.
Many men and women in the world today have a type of Wikipedia faith, where they create the definition of what is or is not true. There are two aspects to Wiki-Faith. The first aspect takes other worldviews for granted without checking out whether or not they are true. The second aspect of Wiki-Faith wants to make up its own definition for who God is and what He has done. Individuals who have this kind of faith want to rewrite truth itself by making it appeal to who they are. People all over the world build their life on Wiki-Faith, but there is only one major problem. It isn’t true. It’s a lie and it’s all made up.
In order to have a proper understanding of truth, we need to go to the source of truth, which is Jesus (John 14:6; 8:32). Jesus is truth personified. The Bible is truth codified. By following the Bible, we are sanctified (John 17:17).
Our passage for today is about two men who had their own type of Wiki-Faith: Hymenaeus and Philetus. Our text mentions that they had “swerved from the truth.” They left the truth of the Bible behind, freeing themselves to make up their own truth, which they did by saying that the resurrection had already happened. People in our world create their own truth: “God doesn’t have a problem with my sin.” Or, “God wants me to be happy and won’t mind if I divorce my spouse.” Examples abound of individuals in our world creating their own truth. And like the character Cypher in The Matrix, we choose to live a lie rather than face the truth of our condition before God, refusing to live according to His standards.
The Holy Spirit by the Apostle Paul responded by saying, “God’s firm foundation stands.” Nothing can change the truth of God’s Word. It doesn’t change because of what someone says or does. It will endure forever. People may choose to live a lie, but God's truth will prevail.
God’s Word will stand because it’s true and life changing. That’s why Paul says, “God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.’” Those who respond to God’s Word are transformed because they have come to know Jesus Christ. We have been set free from sin by truth Himself (John 8:32). May we reject any type of Wiki-Faith that comes our way, submitting ourselves to the only truth there is: Jesus Christ and His Word. Amen.
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