rhettsmith.com

Rhett,
I'll take the bait. But first I want to make sure that I'm not arguing from a polarized point of view. Obviously questioning and learning is essential in ministry and theology. I am wary of people who do not believe so. So I am not arguing from an extreme of knowing all the answers.

But I can give you my perspective on the wariness of churches (and my own wariness) at people who use questions to avoid stances. We live in an age where relativism is acceptable and absolutes or universalisms are not. But I do believe our faith is one of universal application and has some absolute things to say. I believe our scripture similarly gives us footing to say something where relativism can only question or posit opinion. I believe our God is a person who can be known (again, please don't polarize that soundbite) and followed with real footsteps. I am thus wary of people who claim to be forever learners without getting on the road. I've run into enough relativistic Christianity that denies some of the core universalisms in the name of questioning and "progress" that I become weary and wonder if the prophetic is dead. I wonder if the questioner is happy to languish in their question lest they find themselves in oppositions to the norms of a culture of subjective answers and universal questions.

Now my answer takes you off of the trajectory of your question. I agree with you that there is an unholy desire for complete understanding within our faith. I can only understand this as driven by fear and a desire to not have to be in relationship with a relational God but rather follow a stringent dictate (read Pharisees). In this, the steps God leads us on are rarely further-seeing into the future than today's needs. And for these, an open expectation of guidance is the only proper response to the indwelling Spirit. Question and learn and pray for wisdom should be every Christian's duty. But stand on that wisdom when given.

I hope that makes sense of the wariness of part of the church.

In Christ,
ace

Rhett...this is our current situation in the church explained so well by your post. We are so arrogant about our theology but our lives do not show for it! In other words, it is what Brian McClaren calls "ortho-praxy" verses orthodoxy. We have convictions and hold on to truth, but that does not mean we know everything. There is so much to learn. I think the "gentleness and respect" line in that verse is ignored by a lot of Christian circles. We are so mean as believers. Thanks for these thoughts posted here!

Dude. amazing post man!! Such a great point and something that i hadn't ever looked at or thought about in that light before.

its got me chewing on a bunch of questions:
What are the motives behind looking as if we have all the answers?? pride??

As a pastor do you feel the pressure to have an answer??

As churches and seminaries are interviewing students or potential employees are they are coming in with the mind set of "we are right and have it figured out" now lets see where you sit with respect to our "right" answers?? If your round peg fits into our round hole, then you got the job. Otherwise if your answers don't match ours....peace.

good post man!

Hi again Rhett,
I know for a fact that there are those Christians out there who think that they are right about some topics and they are completely misguided and hurtful in their treatment of other Christians. I know that they love the Lord but it was demonstrated to me by some that their approach was hateful, spiteful, mean spirited and damaging. I know this because I was the recipient. As I said though, I also know that they love our Lord Jesus. They just did not have all the answers that they thought that they had. There was no respect and no gentleness but they thought that they were right. I am learning the lessons of forgiveness, humility, brokenness, and some others that I cannot even comprehend enough to express right now so I will learn and move on to the next chastening lesson. The only reason I bring all this up is that I agree with you that sometimes our attempts fail. I am sure that in my walk I may have some moments, probably many of them, of total blindness even while thinking that I was confident of the answers. While we can never compromise on Biblical truth because we have a perfect textbook and teacher but we must never forget that love your neighbor as yourself was of the utmost importance to God. Having the right answer or the wrong answer for that matter will not be of any use to our Lord if the answer is not shared from a heart of love. This for me is the only motivation for sharing what our Lord Jesus has done in my life. When I share my testimony with an unbeliever there aren�t any trite Christian phrases, no formulas to witnessing, not even a plan to witness. The Holy Spirit just streams the words from my mouth and there is always love. If I have a plan to go out there and �do the job� there are answers that sound cold and harsh. The more I think I know the more I realize that I haven�t got a clue. Just my two cents worth.

Andrew,

Very good comment...well stated. I agree with what you are saying. I do agree that there are some who use questions to avoid any stance taking, on any issue, as you have stated. And that was not what I was getting at, though posting a blog can leave a lot of options for one to choose what to look at.

My concern is with those who take stances on issues, but believe there is never any option to question, or grow or learn, but their faith is dictated by whether or not they possess the right answer in every situation. But on the flipside of that, as you have noted, are those who take no stands at all, ever....and that is a whole other issue.

One can take stands and have faith, and believe, but yet still journey, grow, learn, etc. God's encounter with those in scripture always illuminated something new about who He was...something that they had previously thought they had wrapped up, but God challenged their understanding....I am thinking of the Patriarchs....the disciples, etc.

rhett

I am reminded of Galatians since our pastor is speaking through that book. Remember in Galatians the story of Peter being confronted by Paul for giving in to the Judiazers? Paul had conviction and stood pretty tough, but Peter, an actual witness and friend of Jesus, needed to be corrected.

So, indeed. If a person like Peter needed reminding on an essential such as justification, than we obviously must be open to where we may be in need of humility and learning. Also, Paul was fighting an "essential" doctrinal issue. So, there you go.

You wrote: "You know. I'm a life long learner in this field of theology and the task of ministry. I don't have all the answers? But I want to grow and learn."

The pastors I have learned the most from have this attitude. I call my pastor a Shepherd-teacher-servant in the ever learning school of theology. He knows he isn't God and has much to learn, but he also stands firm without wavering on truths that should never be compromised.

Jesus'last prayer included a plea for unity. Unity defined: Unity in truth without compromising truth to be unified.

Rhett,
Good points. And I like your using of 1 Peter 3:15. I wrote a post about this, and how the way the passage is usually used is pretty far from what Peter says in the context of his letter.

http://commongroundsonline.typepad.com/common_grounds_online/2005/08/glenn_lucke_wha_1.html

I'm with you. Finding a middle ground where humility and seeking are open to revelation and repentance - that is a good thing. As usual, Rhett, I find you to be authentic and wise... a tough combo to find in the church business.
In Christ,
ace

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