Dale Ralph Davis is an American Presbyterian Old Testament theologian, minister and author who has the uncanny knack of using commonplace turns of phrase to open a window into biblical truth and principle. One of his phrases caught my eye, and it's this: "Whether apostasy stinks depends on how it is pitched," [1 Kings, (2002), 140].
Error can be presented in such a way as to lull hearers into a false sense of security. Error unrecognised and not repented of leads inexorably to apostasy. Theologians have become so clever in their communication skills that they can present the worst of religion and theology in such a way that they have people 'eating out of their hands.' They could 'sell snow to Eskimos.' They package their message up in such a way that they can convince people that Jesus actually married the two Mary's and also Martha, and provide 'biblical' evidence for their assertions. They focus on how they communicate, and not on what they communicate.
Theological and all other forms of liberalism is as deceitful as could be because it is fundamentally opposed to the biblical methodology. Paul stressed that he passed on to the Corinthians what he had received - conservatism!
These liberals can convince their people that Roman Catholicism is a truly Christian Church and that Islam is but another way to God. And many believe it. I remember a former colleague telling me that when he was being considered as assistant minister in a church, he was told in no uncertain terms that "there would be no conversionism here." And this is in a church that professes to be Christian. Such a view is held widely within that church, and no one seems to give a toss that such spiritually dangerous nonsense is being preached to their fellow Presbyterians. Is that a sign of apostasy?
Yes, Davis is correct - it all depends upon how it is packaged. Package it with appeal, and you will succeed in winning people to your point of view. In such cases, apostasy simply does not stink.
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