Most of the time, when I read books on Christian theology, or "Christian spirituality", I keep my guard and I don't trust the source immediately. Theologians and preachers have to earn my trust by being reverent and true to God's word--and not sacrificing the careful interpretation of Scripture (or reverence to God's character) to drive home an emotional point. All fail in doing this at some point, others are blind squirrels trying to find a nut--they do so only by accident.
When trying to explain why I am so critical to Laura, I make no sense. None. I've had a hard time justifying it--but this article explains why so well:
In all honesty, I am really frustrated with the church today. Either one cares about ministry, or she cares about theology. Hardly ever do they meet in the same church congregation. I find completely theologically irresponsible claims in some of the study material that has come across my eyes lately, and would love to be in a situation in which error is not so commonplace.Why do we espouse such outlandish concepts as "don't throw the baby out with the bath water"? A better comparison of how we are being told to pick through the bad theology often being put forth today is not the baby/bath water analogy but it is the broken clock analogy. How convincing would it be for those same people who use the baby/bath water analogy to say, "Don't throw out the broken clock because it will be right sometimes"? How many of us would give a hearty amen to that kind of mentality?
Perhaps the reason we are more likely to agree with the baby/bath water analogy is that no one wants to picture a baby being thrown out, but how about the broken clock? I personally don't want to have to pick through a bunch of rancid humanistic philosophy to get to the bits of good theology that might be buried in most of these trendy preachers preaching.
Just this past week I read material in which these claims were made:
Why are they irresponsible? When does God love me the least? When did I deserve God's love the most? Would God be just in accepting me despite my guilt? Am I still guilty in they eyes of God as a member of the body of Christ? What would God be doing at the Great White Throne judgment?"God loved me most when I deserved it least."
"God accepts me even though I am guilty...Faultfinding is not God's style."
These claims are filled with sappy feelings, but they lack significantly in biblical truth--and more of us would see this if we stopped reading with our feelings and engaged our minds some.
The sad thing is this: the point of the material was good...it was about demonstraing grace and mercy to our spouses, but my trust of the authors has been severely damaged, so now my guard will be even higher when I read on. I feel that I will have to sift away most of what's there in order to find the nugget of truth.
2 comments:
I’m with you 100%. I remember a time when I didn’t give much thought to the theology behind these types of sentimental statements, now it makes me a little uncomfortable when I hear people repeating them. I can see how comforting these ideas are to people, and I don’t want to be “that guy”, but I would I uneasy affirming them in conversation.
My wife complains about my cynicism a great deal as well, and it makes me feel bad to dissect the sermons of men she has grown up listening to in order to justify my wariness. What are we to do? Knowing what we know, and holding the convictions that we hold, how can we take erroneous teaching in stride? Although we are defending the truth, is it always edifying?
Criticism . . . ahhh, it can be a double edged sword can't it? On one side I agree wholeheartedly that we are all to often spoon fed Christians; taking it all in and digesting it without thought. At the same time, our feelings toss us around like a Roller Coaster; they change our Mood and therefore our Perception and Perspective in a moments notice (I myself have had SERIOUS perspective issues lately).
But, on the other hand being critical without just cause may not edify anyone as Christopher stated earler. Really, what good does it do to tear something down that may in fact be helping someone else? Though it may not be wholly correct or wholly incorrect . . .
So where do we stand? Well we should be trying to stand with Balance . . . "All things in moderation, including 'All things in moderation'." . . .
I'm definitely at fault for being overly critical to some, yet I've also seen my criticism and logical thoughts really provoke GREAT conversations that have brought GREAT feedback and have totally edified my friends and my relationships . . .
Perhaps it boils down to Wisdom. To knowing and picking our battles. To letting God use us when and where appropriate for taking a stand on certain issues, but also realizing that belittling trivalities serves little purpose
. . . and to Humbling ourselves (MY Personal Battle) to saying that we, also, do not Know everything! Perhaps there is something right in front of us, in those battles, for US to learn and not to criticize, self-righteously?
Balance is obtained through Wisdom. Wisdom is from applying knowledge correctly. Knowledge often comes from experience. And experience usually comes from making mistakes and learning from them.
My point is simple, we've made these mistakes so to help take this in Stride (per Christophers question) we need to climb the ladder and be Balanced . . .
Wow, this was a long response . . . obviously it hit home with me also!
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