Never underestimate the power of people – including Christians – to perceive and believe what they want to perceive and believe …

All evidence, logic and morality to the contrary.

Which is why God gave Scripture as His external standard of truth on those issues where He wants to hold us accountable …

To Himself and each other.

And why those who reject God’s plenary authority of Scripture as His written Word become stuck in existential quagmires …

From which healthy churches and healthy disciples never seem to emerge.

It’s easy to have simple church, community, mission and discipleship all figured out …

And tell others “how to” through books, blogs, seminars and online posts …

For those not distracted by actually doing it.

We need more people humbly living it and making it work in their own lives and home towns …

And fewer peddling it everywhere else instead.

Until we understand:

That the Gospel preached by Jesus is the good news of His Kingdom;

That “Christ” isn’t His last name but means “the anointed King“;

That “church” in the New Testament means the local representative assembly of His Kingdom in each community; and

That He never surrendered His authority in any sphere of life or culture …

Then we will not understand His command to make disciples of all who choose the blessings of His rule – including not just individuals, but also nations.

Those promoting a so-called “Christocentric” hermeneutic have too low a view of Christ …

And too high a view of themselves.

They presume to create a pick and choose Jesus through a pick and choose view of Scripture to suit their own sensibilities …

Rather than submit to all of Christ as He authentically reveals Himself in all of Scripture, both Old and New Testament.

Which, by the way, is why they never seem able to make viable disciples or form functional churches.

Don’t be so easily misled by their “new” faith …

Which is no faith at all, except in themselves.