The Old Paths: Biblically Sound Resources
In J.C. Ryle’s book Holiness, he says, “I frankly confess that I prefer the old paths.”
“thus hath the lord said, stand ye in the ways and see and ask for the old paths, where the good way is and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. ”
He goes on to say “there is an Athenian love of novelty abroad, and an morbid distaste for anything old and regular, and in the beaten path of our forefathers.” Athenian in reference to those in Acts 17:21, spending their time on nothing more but hearing and telling something new (gossiping). Ryle continues his concern by saying , “Thousands will crowd to hear a new voice and a new doctrine, without considering for a moment whether what they hear is true! There is an incessant craving after any teaching which is sensational, exciting, and rousing to the feelings. There is an unhealthy appetite for a sort of spasmodic and hysterical Christianity.” The first edition of this book was written in 1887, and these words are as ever true now as they were back then.
We live in a culture that recklessly puts too much stock in our emotions. Our modern “Christian” music is meticulously composed to stir up emotion rather than evoke reverence and worship. Fog machines and funny anecdotes during church services are there to set the correct ambience but yet the gospel is never preached. We would do well to return to “the old paths”.
As Christians, our experiences don’t shape God’s word, but rather, God’s word shapes our experiences. We don’t get to choose what true worship looks like, and we certainly cannot be rooted in emotion rather than faith. Christianity is not a goosebump and butterflies. Can the Spirit move us in this way? Certainly. However true faith and love for God is not based on emotion. How do we know we love God? 1 John 5:3 tells us that those that love Him keep His commandments. When we truly love the Lord, by His grace and sanctification, we desire to walk in His truth and by His law—not by our feelings.
We must return to reading our Bibles as bereans. Abandoning the false, fanatic, trendy teachings of the world.
Read your Bible. Read the Puritans. Listen to faithful preachers. Guard your heart with all vigilance. Over the past year I have watched many people I know abandon sound biblical Christianity for progressivism, wokeism, charismatics, the word of faith movement, feminism, hebrew roots movement, and even things like buddhism and witchcraft. This should break our hearts but also come as no surprise. The devil is working overtime to lead us astray.
“for the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”
“for false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. ”
This is a non-exhaustive list of ministries, blogs, and other various sources of biblically-sound information. Sharing these here is not my endorsement of everything ever said by them, and is not a reflection of all of my theological positions. We would be hard pressed to ever find someone that we agree with completely on every single theological matter, but we can still learn greatly from them as long as they are rooted in truth regarding the fundamentals of the faith. For example, R.C. Sproul and John MacArthur were great friends, both faithful men of Christ with sound doctrine and ministries, but they varied theologically in certain areas, such as eschatology. Both Sproul and MacArthur have had a huge influence on my faith, and I enjoy learning from both men and hearing their different perspectives on certain matters.
I was stuck in false teachings for a very long time, and despite “growing up in the church”, I never understood the true gospel until my 20’s because the true gospel was not being preached. I thank God for these sound ministries, men, and women of the faith that have helped me grow in my walk with the Lord. It is my prayer that they bless you too.
Ministries/Pastors
Blogs
Church Searches
One of the most important things we can do for our faith is to flee the churches that value entertainment over edification, the churches that preach sermons that sound more like inspirational speeches, as well as those that have adapted progressivism that goes against the word of God. Church is meant to be a gathering of the saints. Instead of seeker-sensitive churches that aim to make Christianity look “cool” to the outside by adding on the word of God, we want to find a church that shepherds their flock with expository preaching rooted in the word of God. Leaving and/or choosing a church is no small matter (read more here), but we must take care to watch over our spiritual lives with all vigilance. This is a list of church searches that can guide you to a biblically-sound church if you are looking for one.
The Master’s Seminary Church Finder
Instagram accounts
Books
Click here to see what’s on my bookshelf
What is the gospel?
Being able to learn from other believers is a blessing. But first and foremost we must be in the Word of God above all things. For we know it is “living and active, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
May we guard our hearts from anything that keeps us from a pure and simple devotion to the Lord.
In grace,
Kaetlyn