A Nervous Unstable Segment
The sermon emphasizes the importance of prioritizing the Bible and viewing the world through its light, rather than being swayed by the latest fads and trends.
Vance Havner addresses the nervous and unstable segment of the religious community that is constantly seeking new interpretations and trends, much like the Athenians in Paul's time. He critiques the tendency to judge the Bible through the lens of contemporary philosophies and sciences, arguing instead that these should be evaluated in the light of Scripture. Havner emphasizes the importance of returning to the foundational truths of the Bible rather than allowing it to be subjected to the whims of modern thought. He calls for a focus on delivering the core message of the Word to those who are spiritually hungry, rather than getting caught up in theological debates. Ultimately, he urges believers to trust in the timeless truth of the Scriptures rather than the ever-changing opinions of man.
Text
There is a nervous, unstable segment of the religious world today, ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth. Like the Athenians of Paul's time, they are forever seeking some new thing. Every time a new theologian comes out with some novel slant on God or the church or the world, every time a new translation breaks into print, they cry "Eureka!"
The Bible must be viewed in "in the light of" every fad that blows into town, in the light of science or psychology or philosophy or current events. Isn't it about time to turn things around and view these things in the light of the Bible? After all these centuries, must the Book of books be put on trial every few days while a panel of churchmen pool their ignorance in a symposium?
I do not get excited when a physicist, for instance, endorses the Bible. It gives me a little more faith in the physicist but not necessarily in the Bible. When Bob Ingersoll was lecturing on "The Mistakes of Moses," somebody remarked that he would be interested in hearing Moses lecture on the mistakes of Ingersoll! It would be comical if it were not so pitiful-this trying to make the Word of God pay tribute at all the little toll gates of this befuddled age. Let us feed the meat of the Word to hungry-hearted people who never heard of existentialism and let theologians pick the bones.
Sermon Outline
- The Nervous Unstable Segment
- The Influence of Fads and Trends
- The Importance of Prioritizing the Bible
- Viewing the world through the light of the Bible
- Feeding hungry-hearted people with the meat of the Word
Key Quotes
“Every time a new theologian comes out with some novel slant on God or the church or the world, every time a new translation breaks into print, they cry 'Eureka!'” — Vance Havner
“Isn't it about time to turn things around and view these things in the light of the Bible?” — Vance Havner
“Let us feed the meat of the Word to hungry-hearted people who never heard of existentialism and let theologians pick the bones.” — Vance Havner
Application Points
- We should prioritize the Bible and view the world through its light, rather than being influenced by the latest fads and trends.
- We should feed hungry-hearted people with the meat of the Word, rather than providing superficial or surface-level information.
- We should be careful not to put the Bible on trial with every new fad or trend that comes along.