We are all theologians. This includes me. We have all acquired or learned something of the nature of God. For better, for worse. All of us have some understanding of who God is, regardless of how off base it might be. And it is important that we know the truth. It will set us free. But is something amiss? Have we all become too hung up on doctrine, or more importantly, that one approach to doctrine is more valid than another?
A recent issue of Christianity Today covers the new upsurge in popularity of Calvinism, and how it is shaking up the church (the article is not currently linked from the site). Is this all we can cover? Is this really the issue of the day? I don’t think so.
As a new reformed movement festering around theological circles, and loads of fired-up young pastors and leaders foam at the mouth wanting to here more conservative theology, people in our communities and the rest of the world are living in pain and hunger. As the factions quibble over the latest theological trends, souls are going lost. As we put our focus on the rational side of our faith, the active, heart-infused side withers. And our partnership with Christ in transforming the earth wanes.ÂÂ
Don’t get me wrong, we must know the truth. We must do our part to learn about Jesus and the Gospels. Developing spiritual disciplines is more important in our day than it probably ever has been. But as we in our rational American culture ceaselessly tweak away at our doctrinal positions, the world is going to hell in a handbasket… or maybe an empty breadbasket, devoid of the real Bread of Life.
The real question I painfully have to ask myself is “What am I doing now, today, that will bring the profound, heart-shaking grace of God into the life of my neighbor?” I’ll tell you right now, that the correct theology will likely not matter. What will I do, to love my neighbor as myself, and love God with all my heart, mind and soul? I am certain that the finer points of TULIP will do nothing to facililtate God’s Spirit into the heart of another.ÂÂ
Can we not improve how we live our faith (of which the basics are pretty clear and simple) as opposed to continuing to hone away at thinking about it better? Building sound, polished doctrine seems a diminishing return. A life lived out of a grace-motivation from God, serving others, loving others, and giving our hearts and His to the lost? Now that’s real life.
What do you think?
I enjoyed your article: “Why I Don’t Call Myself a Christian Anymore.” This article expresses my sentiment as well. I have written a little bit about this in my blog as well: http://safford.blogspot.com/
If you have time, please read “Challenge” in my Theology blog as well, I would love to have the opinion of another writer.
Steven
wait, i’m not the only one who thinks that we fight to much within ourselves, praise god, i am reminded of a part of casting crowns what this world needs its not an actual part of the song but it says stuff like “jesus is the only way to god but we are not the only way to jesus” and “jesus is going to save the world so maybe the best thing we can do is just get out of the way”
oh, steven, i was going to read your blog but apparently i need an invite, also where can i read the article why i don’t call myself christian anymore, sorry, i am just so glad to find that i’m not the only one who feels like this
Here are some important scriptures and commentary about doctrine.
2Jn 1:10-11
2Jn 1:7-9
Tit 2:1-10 Matthew Henry
Here is the third thing in the matter of the epistle. In the chapter foregoing, the apostle had directed Titus about matters of government, and to set in order the things that were wanting in the churches. Now here he exhorts him,
I. Generally, to a faithful discharge of his own office. His ordaining others to preach would not excuse himself from preaching, nor might he take care of ministers and elders only, but he must instruct private Christians also in their duty. The adversative particle (but) here points back to the corrupt teachers, who vented fables, things vain and unprofitable: in opposition to them, says he, “But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine, what is agreeable to the word, which is pure and uncorrupt, healthful and nourishing to eternal life.” Observe, (1.) The true doctrines of the gospel are sound doctrines, formally and effectively; they are in themselves good and holy, and make the believers so; they make them fit for, and vigorous in, the service of God. (2.) Ministers must be careful to teach only such truths. If the common talk of Christians must be uncorrupt, to the use of edifying, such as may minister grace to the hearers (Eph_4:29), much more must ministers’ preaching be such.
by Gill
2Ti 4:3 For the time will come,…. This is a reason of the solemn charge above given: the time referred to was future, when the apostle wrote, but quickly came on; and the characters of it have appeared more or less in all ages since; and in none more than in ours:
when they will not endure sound doctrine; the Gospel which contains the wholesome words of Christ, and is sound itself, having no corruption in it, and salutary in its effects to the souls of men; and yet such is the depravity of some men, both in principles and practice, that they cannot receive it, nor bear to hear it, turn their backs on it, express their indignation at it, and treat it not only with neglect, but with ridicule and contempt:
but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers; not being content with the ministry of one man only, or of a few, though of their own sort; but must follow many, and have heaps of them; which seems to express not only the number of false teachers which they accumulate to themselves, but the confused and indiscreet choice they make of them; and that after their own lusts; choosing to hear such as either indulge them in their sinful lusts and pleasures; or are agreeable to their private corrupt sentiments, in opposition to the generally received doctrine of faith. It is a blessing to have pastors and teachers after God’s heart, and who preach according to the word of God; these feed men with knowledge and understanding, Jer_3:15 but it is a curse upon a people, when they are left to choose teachers after their hearts’ lusts:
having itching ears; always desirous of new things, as the Athenians of old; or loving to have their ears scratched and tickled with smooth things; that are pleasing and agreeable to natural men, and carnal minds; as the purity of human nature, the power of man’s free will, the excellency of his righteousness, and the merit of his works, and the like; see Isa_30:9. Now, this being the case, should not discourage, but rather animate the ministers of the Gospel to preach it; for should they desist, in all likelihood the Gospel would soon be gone.
Debylin
I agree. http://ckellett3.wordpress.com
thank you for the verses
I understand your view point. But how can I love my neighbor right if I do not have the right doctrine? Paul in his wriitings would usually start of with Orthodoxy and then after would then go into Orthopraxy. You cannot live right unless you beleive right.
The issue is not the Debate, the issue is WHY there is a debate. The reason is that the church largley has gone off into a self promoting, self centered Christianity that has produced thousands of false converts. People who go to church but do not know God or thier bibles. I thank God for those who are lifting their voices and Pointing people to the Real Truth of God’s Word. I am one of those who through individuals and the internet I have come to embrace Reformed Theology. Does that make me not want to love my neighbor? NO it COMMANDS ME TO LOVE MY NEIGHBOR.
Love is not even an issue regarding this topic because If you do not have love then you are not even of God so it really does not matter what you say because the bible is clear that the unregenarate man does not understand the things of GOd and is not even able to do so. But for those who are born of God and have the Love of God in their hearts, they dolove their neighbors and share the Gospel. BUT that does not mean we just ignore erroneous and false teaching.
Love your neighbor, share the Gospel, Contend for the Faith!
Steven – Doctrine was never meant to drive love and resulting good works. The Pharisees and the scribes were known for their doctrine and maintaining its purity. Yet Jesus viewed them as a den of vipers. The whole of the law is that we love God with out whole heart, soul and mind, and to love neighbors as ourselves. Paul did address both -doxy and -praxy, but remember his audiences: Greek intellectuals and local bodies of faith that were in turmoil. Of course, these would be addressed to show how right belief drives right action. But I don’t feel that was the heart of Jesus, by any of His words. He was about hearts that were transformed, and only He and God the Father were able to do that, with the partnership of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t know that the converts the church has produced are false because the focus of the church has been misguided, but I do think we have a shocking lack of depth as a result of it.
I know there has been a supposed resurgence of Reformed Theology, but I fear it is the wrong direction as well. Given all the recent statistics re: church and Christianity coming forth, the church is in bad shape. The era of modernism produced great apologists of the faith that articulated the “correct” doctrine. Yet, currently, we are on track to only 17% of people in this country being involved in any church community. The leaders of our churches are largely products of modernist rational approach i.e. knowing the correct way to believe. Is it working anymore? IMHO, no.
Currently, the African and Asian churches are growing at a rate that far exceeds that of the US and Europe, but without the benefit of the modernist missionary approach of converting people from “pagan” beliefs to “right” beliefs. How can this be?
Love under the guise of a law mentality, is commanded by Jesus, but is that what He really meant? If we are commanded to love, and we love out of duty and obligation to that command, are we not resorting to the same old legalism? On the other hand, as I recount that stunning transformation that God made in my life through his grace, I am moved to love — and action. The more I read the dialogues of Jesus, the more I believe that this is the essence of what he was trying to get at. And of course, he was addressing Jews steeped in the Law, so it is only natural that he would couch love as His greatest command. Contextualization in it’s purest form.
As for me not being of God when I do not have love, what happens when I act out of anger, or violence of words, or of prejudice? Am I not of God because, at those points, I am not acting in love? And what of those that don’t know God, yet love their families dearly and sacrifice for them in spite of the fact they do not love God? Is not God love? And even despite their unregenerate states, is not God the author of all love? I am not claiming that I know the answers to these questions, but they throw up some huge obstacles to current Reformed thought I am hearing, unless I am completely misunderstanding it.
I agree we must be wary of false teaching, but I believe it is far more prevalent that you or I would care to acknowledge. And I fear the institutional church is the greatest culprit.
Your last charge is a great one. It is interesting that with many of the non-Christ-following people I have met in recent months, I do not even have to bring up the subject of God. I just make myself available to them in love, meet them where they are at personally, and Christ speaks to them through my interaction. So then, I share the Gospel by loving people in relationship. They see my faith as compelling, and thus, do not feel that they have to fear it. Thus, God works through it all without my need to contend for the faith. My imperfect journey with God and humility that only His Spirit enables in me serves to intrigue people to Jesus. And God does much of the rest. Amazing how it works…
Peace, and thanks for posting. Appreciate your thoughts!
Alex
Thanks for your post. I will share the Gospel
I really liked this, it was apparently related to what I had just wrote. Yeah, how can I judge whether someone is elect? Better to focus on completing the great commission not pharisitic- sp. doctrine disputes. Like your open ended rhetorical questions- great style? Keep up the pure gospel- good news no matter what you believe!
ngallentine.wordpress.com
Thanks for the comment, ngallentine. For a great perspective on election, check out chapter 7 of The Gospel in a Pluralist Society by Leslie Newbigin entitled The Logic of Election. This chapter breaks down the old modernist views of election that come across as very exclusivist. This is worth a read, for sure.
Amen! I couldn’t agree more with what all you said!
Doctrine is important, but it should be seen as a fence around our Christian experience keeping us from straying into error rather than the focus of our Christian life. Somehow when doctrine becomes the main thing, I wonder if we are in danger of the Lord’s rebuke to the church at Ephesus (Rev 2). They were able to sift through false and true apostles, but had lost their love of the very person of God. That love, properly applied, will drive us out to do the work of God among the poor and the lost.
I wonder if some of the reformed resurgence is not a reaction to years of doctrinally soft Christianity that tolerated everything until it lost all the distinctives of real Christianity. While I have learned from some reformed brothers and appreciate them, I also fear the tightly articulated and comprehensive system of thought that reformed theology can become that somehow leaves me with an uncomfortable feeling that God is still greater than our doctrines (And by that I am NOT saying that He has not given us fundamental truths which we must proclaim and adhere to unto the death).
Funny thing is that seems to be a common itch. I ended up putting a little page up to scribble down some ideas on this very topic at http://samuelclough.com/theology .
Good points, Samuel. Thanks for visiting. Doctrine must influence the giving of life that leads to transformation. But in and of itself, it does neither. How are we known according to the Holy Word? By our love. What are the key doctrines? Love our neighbors as ourselves and love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind. Learning doctrine, and imparting it — those are easy. But availing ourselves of the grace of God and then being motivated by His Grace to love and serve others? That’s the hard part. Doctrine is the cop out. Life in Jesus, following Him, and opening ourselves up so that He lives through us? It’s the ongoing, profoundly difficult journey. Why is it that so many hold fiercely onto doctrine? Not because the church has watered it down — that started happening 2000 years ago. It happened because we gave up the mystery of the life in Christ for knowledge of doctrine. And if we can know, then we can place ourselves in the position to say others don’t, or don’t know well enough. And if we set others aprat by levels of doctrinal knowledge, the we can ostracize, criticize and divide. This is not the way of Jesus. And it is only a feeble Western rational construct that enables elitist thinking. Just look around: much of the most vociferous, divisional chatter on the web is those who a misguidedly trying to maintain pure doctrine while slamming other Christians in the process. Where in God’s Word is this justified? Nowhere. While I agree it is important to learn of the ways of Jesus, if we use doctrine as a rational weapon like it is being used nowadays, then we have fallen far off course. And Jesus grieves. All this IMHO, of course. Thanks again for the comments.
So the question is, can we have right fellowship with God without having the right relationship? Because if our theology is wrong; if we’re not trying to be like Him by spending time with Him, learning His Word and applying that Word to our life, can we really say we know Him; that we have the right kind of relationship? Despite all the movements today, God is still who He is and He’s already said what he has to say through His Word. And so, if we’re not living for Him and if we’re not trying to get to know Him through His Word, how can we know if we’re on the right side? I don’t want to take that chance…boy, talk about preaching to the choir!!! I need to read my Bible now!!!
http://davidwinter.wordpress.com/2009/03/28/are-you-alive/
Thought you might like this one….
Love,
David
Thanks for passing this on, David. I’ll be sure and check out your blog as well.
Yes, I totaly agree that we as followers of Jesus definilty need to come into one accord and agree. So, everyone just go ahead and admitt it.. I’m right…LOL
GOD BLESS
paul
It seems strange to me that a religion with so many internal conflicts and ideas about reality, that contradict each other just as much as as a non-christian religion would, can all claim to have found the “one truth”. It seems to me, when looking at Christianity as a whole, that there are many contradicting “truth’s” in its claims.
I agree with many of the ideas expressed here, both in comments and in your blog. This was auto linked to mine this morning. Unfortunately Christians won’t come to one accord until Christ comes and we can all see with our own eyes what religion is supposed to mean. Personally I choose to live by faith now, as I’m sure many other Christians do, faith according to the light and truth God has revealed to me. It works for me. I read a lot about the results of this disunity you refer to on http://www.simplechurch.com/.
We have been having this discussion at Willohroots.wordpress.com.
How many fatalities to “friendly fire” are acceptable. We are save by our Savior,not our doctrine. We should do our best, but admit we are not perfect.
Last time America had a revival, Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian Congregational, all prayed as with one Mind. I would love to see it again!
You and I represent different beliefs, but transcending that, we both want to stress compassionate humility in dealing with others. This is the perspective I have been trying to portray as well (esp. in my latest post at http://deligentia.wordpress.com/2009/10/11/ghosts-in-a-bookstore/). I would be interested to know what you think if you have the time to read it.
Deuteronomy 32:2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass:
Doctrine is the experience of the Holy Spirit and the Latter Rain. If you want to understand the doctrine, try it and you’ll understand it.
John 7:17 If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine.
http://imssdarm.wordpress.com/2009/08/07/the-study-of-gods-word/
Thanks for the visit, Sabbath. Interestingly, both the Hebrew and the Aramaic show the word doctrine as teaching. I concur that the teachings of God, as taken in the context of the entire narrative of scripture are refreshing to the soul. But the current shading of the word doctrine is interesting: a set of beliefs. My contention is that too many lines in the sand are being drawn over what is correct doctrine. This in my estimation is not the experience of the Holy Spirit. It is not up to us to proclaim our doctrine correct. It is up to us to live the whole of the law – love God with our whole, heart and mind, and our neighbors as ourselves. Yes, good teaching is a part of that, as is evidenced by Paul and the apostles in Acts, for instance, not to mention Jesus. But Jesus never fought over correct doctrine. He struggled with people over the conditions of their hearts.