Whom To Trust?

 Whom To Trust?


The world has a major problem.  It does not know whom it may trust.  It scours the internet to find someone in whom it can confide some confidence--and it fails to come to any satisfactory conclusion.  The frustration continues; and the search is interminable. . . . Let us consider this issue a bit; and, at the end, draw some concrete solutions.

 

First of all, it is good and natural--even inevitable--that human beings, created in God's image, would seek out some source of solid confidence, some ultimate assurance of truth.  So, the pursuit is not a bad thing, in itself.

 

Someone might say, "We should trust in God."  This is true; we should.  Someone else may aver, "We should trust the Bible."  This also is true; and good.  Another person, being the most astute of them all, may declare, "We should trust the Triune God in and through Jesus Christ alone."  And this person is absolutely correct. . . . But we are going to look at some practical dimensions of (even this) good and proper answer, (along with other aspects of lesser insight).

 

The problem is this: yes, we are to trust in God, even through Jesus Christ, particularly as He (the Lord Jesus) is presented to us in the Holy Scriptures--but, since we live in this fallen world, we need guides who will lead us to Jesus.  And, on top of that, we need to be able to trust, (small "t"), them.  This is not exactly the same Trust, (capital "T"), that we have in Christ; but it is still a real and constitutionally thorough (though not perfect) "trust."

 

Let us make this project very "real," by acknowledging a representative sample of our options for "trust," (small "t"); and they will all be actual flesh and blood fellow-fallen sinners. . . .

 

But, before we examine the "Christian" world's alternatives, let us consider what unbelievers have to choose from; and then briefly (very briefly) evaluate each one.  Some unbelievers trust "scientists," (they mean "empirical" scientists).  But empirical science (itself) is very uncertain; it is a horrible foundation.  The very statement, "I trust 'empirical' science"--which would imply trusting its "scientists," is a non-empirical truth claim that automatically implies that something else (unseen) has to be a greater basis for truth and trustworthiness.

 

Alright; other unbelievers may say, "I trust politicians."  But politicians, even if they were very good ones, and proposed all excellent legislation, etc., cannot be counted on to bring us to The Truth (Jesus Christ).  Their job is not ministerial; rather it is magisterial.

 

Other unbelievers may try to trust in movie stars, financiers, athletes, "influencers," or famous people.  The problem is, none of them can be trusted to bring us to The Truth, (ultimately, Jesus Christ).

 

Let us now move into the specifically-"religious" world.  How about trusting the Dali Lama?  No good; he does not believe in a Creator.  How about a Hindu religious leader?  Again, no good; he believes in multiple "gods."  What about a Muslim cleric?  It will not work; he rejects the Holy Trinity.  What about an atheist?  No good; they profess not to believe in God.

 

Now, let us move this discussion closer to home.  How about trusting the Pope of Rome? This will not work; he still professes to hold to justification by works, (and numerous other errors).  How about an Orthodox Patriarch?  Not good enough; he has too much devotion to icons.  What about a Mormon leader?  No good; he is an Arian.  (Jehovah's Witnesses are no better.)  What about an Arminian minister?  He may be converted; but who wants to follow someone who would denigrate the sovereignty of God in anyway?  What about a Messianic Jewish "rabbi"?  It will not work; he does not realize that Jesus Christ fulfilled all the Old Covenant ceremonial law.  How about someone like Joel Osteen?  After all, a lot of people follow him.  No good; we need the gospel.

 

So, what it comes down to, in my brief survey of the world, is this: the gospel ministers of the faithful Reformed church bodies are the ones to be trusted (small "t").  But, I do not mean every one of them.  Satan knows how to sow his "weeds" amongst Christ's "wheat"; and not every legally-constituted Reformed pastor is regenerate, let alone worthy of being followed or trusted.  But, within this body, Christ has His truly called ministers, and they, being sinners themselves, know how to gently lead God's people (and the world) to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

I know it is a bold statement to make; but I will make it anyway: Christ's truly-called ministers of His Reformed churches may be trusted (small "t"), because they are committed wholeheartedly to the well-being of God's precious church.  They desire to preach the gospel in the power and fullness of the Holy Spirit.  Their theology is sound; their hearts are humble; their hope is in the Lord.

 

"Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers," (1 Tim. 4:16/ESV).

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #121

18 July 2026

 

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com

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