The schisms are filled with “Cafeteria Christians”. They go down the lifelong line, picking and choosing what they want to believe. Often, they announce their choices as they select from the “Christian Cafeteria”.
Some of the selections defy rational analysis. One that was actually heard: “I’m goin’ over to Pastor Bob’s Mighty Mega Fam’ly Vict’ry Church ‘n my soul’s gonna be ridin’ to Heaven on a rocket!”
More rational choices include the old, Mainline denominations, their endless newer divisions, the new and shiny start-ups, and “Media Ministries” where believers change channels to choose what to believe.
Today’s Reading, from The Psalms, encourages us to believe all that God said. We are clearly taught not to pick and choose what we believe, but follow all His guidelines:
R. (How sweet to my taste is your promise! In the way of your decrees I rejoice, as much as in all riches.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! Yes, your decrees are my delight; they are my counselors.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! The law of your mouth is to me more precious than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! How sweet to my palate are your promises, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! Your decrees are my inheritance forever; the joy of my heart they are.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise! I gasp with open mouth in my yearning for your commands.
R. How sweet to my taste is your promise!
The wise take note: Nowhere does it say that we should pick and choose what we believe. “In the way of your decrees I rejoice . . .” includes an implied all that God teaches, not just the little bits that form the weak foundations of the small, transient schisms.
“Your decrees are my delight; they are my counselors.” clearly includes an unspoken “all decrees”, not simply those we prefer.
“Your decrees are my inheritance forever. . .” also includes an all-encompassing “all”.
Of the 40,000 groups calling themselves “Christian”, only The Church Jesus Founded calls us to believe all that God teaches, including “Thou art Peter and on this rock I build My Church. . .”, providing what He said we must have to live: “If you do not eat My Body and drink My Blood you do not have life in you.”
We must reject “cafeteria Christianity”.
