The Standard June 6, 2026
It is rare these days to find a reputable news source which presents well-documented facts and two sides to every story. Instead, we often are given out-of-context video clips or quotes, loaded language, and a push to one conclusion. We can admit how difficult it is for all of us to maintain the practice of staying as objective as possible. We see issues or actions in a distorted manner, and are even guilty of distorting our purported ideals.
Some of us champion the need for tolerance and civil discourse, yet become incredibly intolerant and uncivil when confronted with opposing views. Many oppose those who bully or verbally attack others, yet sink to low depths in response, becoming vicious in words or deeds. It is quite a distortion to proclaim that we must care for children yet allow our broken public education system to continue without a major overhaul. (In 2022 there were 25 nations with educational systems with higher math scores than the U.S., for example.) In my opinion, it is twisted for millionaires to live lavishly while denouncing the very system that brought them wealth or for environmental activists to travel in private planes. For Christians to be a part of hyperconsumerism and overconsumption is a distortion of how God calls us to live. The worst distortion, however, comes when the words and works of Jesus are viewed through the lens of modern culture and popular opinion. As Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary professors Douglas Stuart and Gordon Fee say, “a text [Scriptural] cannot mean what it never meant.” We must carefully study the words of Moses, David, Jesus, Paul, etc. as they were intended to the audience at that time and place.
“Paul, an apostle — not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead—and all the brothers who are with me, To the churches of Galatia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel of heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. For am I now seeking the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.” Galatians 1:1-10
Paul probably was referring to the distortion of the gospel by Judaizers who were saying that Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the Mosaic Law in order to be made right with God. Despite the repeated teaching of Jesus that salvation is through faith alone, these folks tried to add requirements of their own making. Throughout almost 2,000 years, a human tendency has been to make the Bible say what we want to hear or what makes sense to us. This should not be.
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