That depends! I profit from reading about other religions
and philosophies, but this is because I am a teacher and have been following
Jesus for 45 years. I need to be aware of other systems of thought to counteract
them (2 Corinthians 10: 4-5), not only for myself but also for my students.
Besides, learning about other religions helps me to clearly define my own
Faith.
However, for new Christians, I wouldn’t recommend this. Why?
You cannot try to master calculus until you learn addition and subtraction. You
cannot expect to evaluate other religions until you learn the truths of the
Bible, which give us everything we need:
·
All Scripture is breathed out by God and
profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in
righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good
work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Nor can we go to other religions seeking to augment what we
might feel is lacking in our own. Therefore, we are continually warned to not
go beyond the Scriptures to incorporate other teachings into our Faith:
·
Someone may say to you, “Let’s ask the mediums
and those who consult the spirits of the dead. With their whisperings and
mutterings, they will tell us what to do.” But shouldn’t people ask God for
guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Look to God’s
instructions and teachings! People who contradict his word are completely in
the dark. (Isaiah 8:19-20)
Paul had also issued this same warning as he saw his
brethren going beyond Scriptural boundaries:
·
I have applied all these things to myself and
Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond
what is written, that none of you may be puffed up in favor of one against
another. (1 Corinthians 4:6)
We are prone to seek answers beyond the Bible. Why? The
Christian life is full of suffering and disappointment (2 Corinthians 4:10-11).
This makes us think that we are missing something. However, Paul assured us
that we already have everything we need in Jesus:
·
See to it that no one takes you captive by
philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the
elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. For in him the
whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is
the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:8-10)
Instead, we need to learn to serve God according to His
Word. According to Jesus, this is how we must love Him:
·
Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I
say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of
them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are
not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.” (John
14:23-24)
Therefore, we must not allow our pride to deceive us into
thinking that we are intelligent enough to pick and choose from different
sources. It takes time to learn how to arm our minds (Ephesians 6:10-19).
Therefore, we also need teachers (Ephesians 4:11-14) until we become mature in
the Faith.
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