“So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.”

                                                                        Romans 14:12

I was reading a history book recently (imagine that) and that book pointed out something I had never really thought about.

Years ago, the local preacher was the resident theologian. He was the authority and source for everything about the scriptures, Christianity and faith. He may have had a few congregation members read a few books every once in a while, but information back then was scarce and cost money.

That meant what a preacher said carried a lot of weight, and because of his standing in society people accepted what he said.

Today, it’s entirely different. Access to information on-line and those lovely left- and right-leaning television “news” stations give us all the answers we need (or more rightly put, “want”.) Many people know as much about a subject (or at least say they do) as you do. And even if they don’t, they can Google it and become instant experts. And believe me, they will, and they do. It might be misinformation or bad information, but that doesn’t stop people from proclaiming it as Gospel.

Now, add to that the reality that we live in an age of strong opinions that are weakly formed, and the assumption that what I say as a preacher – even on the topic of theology – is correct? Those days are long gone. Now, it’s only “correct” if I agree with you.

Which means I can’t get away with easy answers. Which means I have to do a little more homework before I speak. Not only do I have to exegete the scripture now, I have to exegete the culture it took place in and its historical context . . . and I have to exegete the culture I live and speak in as well.

And you know what? That’s not such a bad thing. Easy answers are usually worth the effort you put into them. It’s the hard questions and answers that change us. And there’s nothing wrong with accountability.

Thanks be to God for making us dig deeper into His Word, for it is only in doing so that we draw closer to Him and our need for His wisdom.

Thank You, Lord, for the many ways You draw us closer into You and Your Word. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.