Syncretism

Southeast Christian Church

Jul 13, 2022

Syncretism can be defined as the combination of different forms of belief or practice, or the fusion of two or more originally different inflectional forms. We see it all the time in our culture, where people will take the principles of Jesus, but then they start adding other things that aren’t based in Scripture from either culture or other religions. An example would be people looking at their horoscope to predict their future, even though they have already entrusted their future to Jesus.

In Colossians, Paul is warning the reader that they need to be careful of falling into this trap of adding or combining beliefs that aren’t based in the Bible. We read in Proverbs 30:5-6 that “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.” Without realizing it, we can sometimes add things to our beliefs that we wish or want to be true, even though they aren’t found in Scripture. Syncretism is not how following the real Jesus looks, and you're never going to find real life if you're not pursuing the real Jesus. The real life that you desire is not going to be found unless you are pursuing only the truths and the teaching that we read in the Bible, no matter what else we try.

DISCUSSION/REFLECTION QUESTIONS: When have you, perhaps unintentionally, added or combined other beliefs with what Jesus taught? How can this be damaging to your personal walk with Jesus and your witness to others?

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