49 Religious Lies Jesus Told Me to Stop Believing - 38 Test Experiences with God Against My Theology

Summary

Mark Virkler describes changing his view of how Christians should evaluate experiences they believe come from God. He says that, after learning to recognize God’s voice as “flowing thoughts,” he began journaling conversations with Jesus. He compares this process to the road to Emmaus, where Jesus explained Scripture and changed the disciples’ understanding.

The central belief he challenges is:

“I should test my experiences with God against my theology.”

Virkler says his analytical background, theological study, and work as a pastor had led him to treat theology as a protective framework. In his account of a journaled exchange, Jesus questions whether people should put their own theological systems ahead of a living relationship with God.

The alternative presented is to have experiences with God and then compare them with biblical accounts of others’ experiences. Virkler says fresh experiences can also help people notice new meaning in Scripture—not because Scripture changes, but because the reader’s understanding has changed.

Main Ideas and Lessons

• Christianity is presented as a relationship, not only a belief system. Virkler emphasizes hearing Jesus’ voice, seeing visions, and sensing emotion as parts of a personal relationship.
• Theology can become a limiting framework. He describes his theology as a “security blanket” that helped him feel safe but could not prepare him for new experiences or understandings.
• Scripture should serve as a reference point for experience. Rather than judging experiences primarily by a pre-existing theological system, he recommends looking for parallels with experiences recorded in the Bible.
• New experiences may change how a person reads familiar passages. Virkler says people may recognize biblical accounts differently after having an experience they consider similar.
• Discernment still involves other people. In his account, the guidance he receives is to bring an inner sense of God’s voice to two or three trusted spiritual advisers. He cites the biblical principle of confirmation by multiple witnesses.
• The intended outcome is ongoing relationship and growth. Virkler hopes the church will place living encounters with Jesus at the center of Christian life.

Suggested Reflection Process

Virkler invites viewers to:

1. Read the section’s related Bible passages, using the accompanying book as a guide.
2. Journal and ask God what the passages mean or what God wants to communicate through them.
3. Reflect on any perceived response or personal insight.
4. Compare personal experiences with biblical accounts and seek confirmation from trusted spiritual advisers.
5. Allow understanding to develop through continued relationship and reflection.

Speakers and Sources Featured

• Mark Virkler — The presenter, recounting his former beliefs, personal experiences, and reflections.
• Jesus/God as represented in Virkler’s journal — A quoted devotional dialogue recounted by Virkler; the subtitles present it as his perceived conversation with God.
• The Bible and biblical figures — Invoked as reference points, including Jesus’ encounter with the disciples on the road to Emmaus, David, Jesus’ “my sheep hear my voice” teaching, and the principle of confirmation by two or three witnesses.