Church History was one of my favorite classes in college. I loved reading about the evolution of theology and how different movements, ideas and heresies came about. One of the most interesting patterns I saw is one that continues today in both microscopic (individual churches) and macroscopic (denominational and world-wide) forms: There seems to be a consistent progression starting with inspired beliefs that slowly turn into doctrine, then to dogma, which are then challenged by new inspired beliefs, in the form of a reformation or revival.

It happened in the Bible. God spoke directly to and had relationship with lots of Old Testament people. He gave Moses the 10 Commandments, which, over time progressed into a burdensome and arduous religion that was later challenged by Jesus. Apparently, somewhere along the way, the Jews had turned the law into something more strict than what God had intended and Jesus brought the focus back from religion to relationship with God and people. The pattern repeated through Martin Luther and the Reformation.

In more recent times, the church has taken divinely inspired events, people, themes, books, songs, programs, ideas or whatever and practically enshrined them. Over time, they become belief systems or ways of doing things that stick and take on lives of their own as traditions or denominational traits. That can quickly turn into idolatry as we focus on what we experienced rather than letting the experience point us to the one who provided it. Even holding hard and fast to “black and white” or “unquestionable” Biblical beliefs can be idolatry. I call it Bibliolatry—elevating the Bible or specific doctrines to the status of absolute truth that can never be challenged or questioned. That’s what the Pharisees did.

The majority of our beliefs are taught to us by those in authority over us. Even in reading the Bible, most of our understanding is shaped by previous teachings and church culture. How do you interpret “sexual immorality”? The Biblical authors don’t do a lot to expand on that term in context, but I clearly hear my pastors’ teachings and imply them into the passage as I’m reading it. Unless we have good reasons to question them, those interpretations can be passed down, unchallenged, through generations.

Unfortunately, many pastors and church leaders resist the questions. I’m guessing that there are many reasons: they feel as if their authority or validity is being challenged; they don’t have better answers because they don’t know God’s heart that well; it’s easier to maintain the appearance of church-wide holiness by enforcing rules accepted by all; obedience is easier than genuine relationship; or they’re just passing down the cultural interpretations that they learned growing up.

If you can’t question your beliefs, then you’re in a cult. If you don’t question your beliefs, then you’re merely religious.

Here is a short list of beliefs that need to be challenged:

1. You can’t cuss and be a Christian.
2. Alcohol use makes you less of a Christian.
3. Christians should never do anything that looks questionable.
4. Divorce is a sin.
5. Sex is only for married people.

Did you get triggered by any of those? If you did, please put down the indignation and take an honest look at why. Have you done the research to find out what the Bible actually says about those, outside of what your favorite author or pastor have told you it says? I’ve been doing a ton of research on those topics lately, including trying to lay my church glasses aside to allow God to speak to me through Scripture, in context (cultural and by reading the whole passage), and it has been enlightening. The Bible is a lot less of a rule book than I ever imagined!

Please don’t get me wrong. I love the richness of traditions and there is a tremendous wealth of wisdom and depth of insights in the teachings of the church that have been handed down through generations. Just because we are questioning beliefs doesn’t mean we’re throwing them out. It’s just that I am also aware of our human tendencies throughout history, and I don’t want to repeat the cycle. We do need to refine our beliefs in the light of an ever changing culture and consistently ask good questions, like, “Is this true to the heart of God?” and “Is this helpful?” Remember that the majority of Jesus’ corrections and rebukes were directed at church people who thought they had it right.