This Power Surge is addressed to those within the Evangelical Christian Church of today who need to be challenged to re-consider, re-define and re-evaluate the essential, core doctrines of their faith.

"We have now sunk to a depth at which restatement of the obvious is the first duty of intelligent men."  This was written in 1939, by George Orwell and his words might well be addressed to the leaders of today's biblically illiterate church.

The most obviously refreshing truth to be stated about Christianity is that it rests on unchanging historic and Biblical facts: the Creation, and the development of God’s plan for mankind fulfilled in the birth, life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Since the doctrines of the evangelical church are truth claims, they cannot be mere symbolism.

 In fact, it is absolutely essential for me to believe that doctrine is the very foundation of my faith, the living truth of my Christian journey. Clearly, when we stop taking seriously the historical truths of the church, we undermine our witness, often with far-reaching consequences.

For example, Muslim student groups today proselytize with pamphlets asserting that Christians worship three Gods: Father, Mother, and Son. Where did that idea come from? From seventh-century Egyptian Christians who gave up on the Bible and embraced this heresy.

Further, in our day, American Anglican Bishop David Jenkins was reported to have dismissed the Resurrection as a "conjuring trick with bones."  Such “throw away” comments from recognized Church leaders can have an extremely detrimental impact on the advancement of the Gospel. For example, I read that Buddhists and Hindus in Sri Lanka used that comment to convince people that Christianity is based on a mere trick.

 Recently, an American survey on Religion and Public Life unearthed rampant doctrinal ignorance among American Christians, and I would have no doubt whatsoever that the results were not solely confined to American Christians. Fifty-seven percent of evangelicals believed people who follow religions other than their own can enjoy eternal life. The results were so unexpected that the survey was repeated, asking more specific questions. The answers were virtually unchanged. Astonishingly, about half believed that everyone, atheists included, was going to end up in heaven. Heaven for the godless? That's the old heresy of universalism.

 Indifference to the essential truths of the gospel is seen in many other spheres, such as among those who champion "deeds, not creeds." For me, many of the deeds I do are because of the creeds I believe.
Some embrace another old heresy, that doctrines must be extracted from inward experience—that is, personal feelings.
Still others want to make Christianity "fit" the postmodern era, or "work out" their theology in public, with non-Christians helping to shape the outcome. This is a radical departure from embracing the definitive, concise summary of Christian truth handed down to us from the early church fathers and enshrined for eternity in the Word of God.

 As one Christian writer noted, even when Christians know correct doctrine, they are afraid of speaking the truth for fear of offending others. What right have I to impose my beliefs on others? This is a thought that shapes too many of us believers.

We live at a time when more than ever, Christians need to be able to speak intelligently and courageously about the hope that lies within them.
Personal faith is of course vital, but it is not sufficient. And yes, doctrine has often been taught in a way whereby it comes across as dry and dusty. We need to embrace a new approach for a new age in emphasizing the unchanging orthodox doctrine of the Bible in order to transform the church and culture of today.

 The determination to restore orthodox faith—“the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints,” (Jude 1:3)—brought about the Reformation, of which we are heirs.  As I am on this theme, I pictured Paul the apostle, probably speaking from the rock called Mars Hill in Athens, confronting the Areopagus, the wise men of the cultural centre of the then world. Paul challenged them by referring to their own literature and false altars, and then boldly proclaimed the gospel, concluding that God had raised Jesus from the dead.
It's the same message I and many preach today.  (See Acts 17:19-34).

I believe it to be far more exhilarating to stand on a belief that has survived 2,000 years of persecution than to flit from one fad to another.

“…..we should no longer be children, tossed about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love……” (Ephesians 4:14, 15, New King James Version.)

A few people accepted Paul's invitation that day to follow Christ. But billions have followed him ever since, because Christ has an unstoppable power. He has the power to break Satan's hold over our lives and to joyfully and wonderfully transform us in a way that only Christ can.

 Orwell was right: In a crisis, we often have a duty to restate the obvious. And in this modern complex world it is essential for Christians to remind their doctrinally confused brethren of the unchanging truths of our Christian faith.

 The greatest challenge for serious Christians today is not re-inventing Christianity, but rediscovering its core teachings. And in the process of rediscovery, learning to share these unchanging values with those who are searching for the answer to the most pressing question confronting them, “What is the purpose to life?”