I’ve had the privilege of visiting dozens of cathedrals and churches in Europe. As a friend who traveled with me once said, Dave never sees a church he doesn’t want to wander into. It’s true. If the door’s open I’ll look in. Curious, last month my wife and I peeked into the open door of a cathedral in Spain and saw a wedding taking place, the bride resplendent in white and the groom in full military dress. Just think what we’d have missed had we not wandered in.

Many large cathedrals reach their heights thanks to an external support called a flying buttress. This structure consists of an arch bridging the gap between a tall, upper wall and a heavy freestanding base. It keeps the building from collapsing outward due to its weight, and allows for soaring walls and massive stained glass windows. The buttresses maintain the integrity of the cathedral.

In a letter to a young pastor, Paul reminded him of how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.

As Paul pointed out, our churches should stand as pillars and buttresses of truth, and he refers to the truth laid out in the Holy Scriptures. To fail to stand for the truth of God’s Word is like bulldozing the buttresses off a cathedral. It might look nice and clean, but after a few storms the walls collapse and the edifice lies in ruin.

In our day many church leaders bulldozed the buttresses of truth in favor of modernist interpretations of Scripture. Today their congregations and denominations face collapse. Their once beautiful buildings slowly drain parishioners, monuments to pride and sexual sin and fear of criticism.

A living church searches for truth and stands upon it. A vibrant church serves as a keeper and purveyor of truth. A godly church proclaims truth. Adherence to God’s truth as found in the Bible maintains the integrity of the church. Anything less leads to crumbling foundations and ruined lives.

1 Timothy 3:15

Photo: Buttresses of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris