Included in Paul’s instruction to pastors is the obligation to, “Have nothing to do with (i.e. reject) irreverent, silly myths [lit. imaginary beliefs promoted by old women and the world](1Ti 4:7).” In this respect, Paul’s goal for God’s Church is clear. He desires that congregations be equipped to discern and distance themselves from those doctrines which attempt to pass as genuinely Christian, yet are nothing more than generational fiction and godless fabrications. As such, Paul’s words require what is at the very heart of apologetics: a defense of the biblical witness, since this is exclusive means (and method) to mitigating myth. Today, the biblically minded Christian doesn’t have to look long to find myth among what calls itself Christian. Evangelicalism (the predominant influence within modern Christianity) is filled with such imaginary beliefs. In fact, its most sacred cows are all myths!

Myth #1: I was saved the moment I put faith (alone) in Christ (alone), not when I was baptized.

Myth #2: The sacraments (baptism and the Lord’s Table) have no real spiritual power or salvific significance but are done as a memorial only. Therefore, they are not necessary to being a Christian.

Myth #3: I don’t need to be a part of a legitimate and local Christian Church in order to be saved nor do I need to be baptized in such a place. As long as I am a part of the “universal Church” and baptized “in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” I am a Christian.

Myth #4: Apostasy can never happen for those who are the elect and justified. All such warnings in the bible are purely hypothetical. In other words, they exist only to keep real Christians on the narrow path through scaring them.

Myth #5: I do not need to be faithful to all (even any) of God’s Law to be saved. Attempting to obey the Law would mean trying to earn my salvation. And besides, Christ obeyed and cancelled the Law for me. Therefore, my assurance of salvation is not dependent on me, but rather found through looking with faith to what Christ has already done on my behalf.