The other day I bought the new Casting Crowns CD called The Altar and the Door.  The first song had a lot to do with a recent discussion we had Sunday morning.

The conversation centered on doubt and how do we reconcile some of the things society is throwing at us.  Questions like, “There are many different versions of the Bible and how do we know which one to believe?  If the Bible is translated by man, and man is flawed, then wouldn’t the translation be flawed?”  According to www.worldchristiandatabase.org there are over 9,000 Christian denominations. Which one are we to follow?

That gets me back to the Casting Crowns song.  Track 1 is titled What This World Needs.  The first part of the song is about what this world doesn’t need like “another one hit wonder with an axe to grind,” “another sign waving super saint that’s better than you”.  My favorite and one we talked about “another ear pleasing candy man afraid of the truth”.  They go on to talk about what the world does need and that’s a “Savior who will rescue, a Spirit who will lead and a Father who will love.”

They also go on to say that it is not important which version of the Bible you have, what denomination you belong to, whether you like contemporary or traditional worship styles, whether you raise your hands or not, whether you speak in tongues or don’t (I added those last few).  What is important that you know that Jesus is our Savior.  Don’t strap yourself to any denomination, version of the Bible, style of worship or doctrine.

Rob Bell, in his book Velvet Elvis, relates our Christian life to the springs on a trampoline.  “When we jump on a trampoline, it’s easy to see the need for the springs.  The springs help us make sense of the deeper realities that drive how we live every day.  The springs aren’t God. The springs aren’t Jesus.  The springs are statements and beliefs about our faith that help give words to the depth that we are experiencing in our jumping.  I would call these doctrines of the Christian faith.

The springs aren’t the point.

They help us understand the point, but they are a means to an end.  We take them seriously, and at the same time, we keep them in their proper perspective.”

One example he gives is the doctrine of the Trinity – the spring.  While this doctrine is central to our Christian belief, nowhere in the Bible is the Trinity mentioned.  This concept was developed several hundred years after the death and resurrection of Jesus.  This belief helps us understand who God is.  “It’s a spring.  We can take it out and examine it.  Discuss it, probe it and question it.  It is firmly attached to the frame and to the mat, yet it has room to move.”

Don’t get hung up in the springs.  They are only there to help you understand.  The Truth is in the middle.  Keep focused on Him and you won’t fly off the trampoline.