August 26, 2008
Ordinary People
In a newspaper or magazine I always read the Letters-to-the-Editor. Both Guideposts and World are Christian magazines, yet they each get entirely different feedback from their readers. Comments written to Guideposts are always sweet and subscribers never so much as raise their voice. A reader of World magazine however, can become so incensed over a movie review that he’ll cancel his subscription. I appreciate both types of writers who’ve taken the time to expose their feelings and express their opinion. In church, people have often told me that they feel unqualified to speak up on issues because they don’t know their Bible very well. They think others may not consider their opinion credible just because they can’t supply a Bible verse. We sometimes forget that, with the exception of Paul, all the disciples were ‘unschooled, ordinary men’. I think its safe say that the disciples didn’t know their Scriptures very well…but they didn’t let that hold them back.
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Gail;
----Although you are right in that expressing thoughts and feelings does not require quoting scripture, we must recognize the fabric of the church’s behavior and theology is woven from those expressed thoughts and feelings. Problems issuing from misunderstood scripture rose even from among those men whom you mention, whom Paul termed as pillars of the church at Jerusalem. Controversies continued through the second century until today, as sincere men, truly seeking to serve the Lord, misunderstood some scripture, or totally failed to be cognizant of other scripture. Even men not so truthful in seeking the Lord have impacted Christianity by their misuse or disregard for scripture. So the church has had to continually tolerate such blemishes as Montanism, Catholicism, Christian Scientology, etc.
-----Granted, errors leading to such significant impact upon Christianity as these occur on a higher social plain. The bread and butter of Christianity, the common Christians on the street, receive these new ideas from the loftier levels, and by their scripture-shallow thinking, people the churches of the new error. I saw it happen as the craze over The Prayer of Jabez became an important element in the atmosphere animating Rick Warren’s stretchers. The Jabezzed Warrenites skirted straight forward, scriptural questions about their new way of doing church. Yet, they demanded strict obedience based upon mere theory, or misapplied scripture at best. Without a crowd of shallow thinking followers, the Warrenites never would have established a foothold in today’s church.
-----Footholds for all kinds of wandering, dangerous ideas are plentiful in any church not having many folks well versed in the scriptures, practical and apt in scriptural application, or generous in making scriptural references. These are teachers, guideposts, even guardrails of the church. Their presence facilitates a safe environment for the rest of us who are less knowledgeable than they in the Word. In it we add our insights without scriptural reference or worry about what we might stir up if we are wrong. Moreover, much of the fabric of an issue is woven by cultural and other elements proceeding from our own interactions. It is this fabric the scripture must fit and stitch. And often those who know this fabric most know scripture less. Therefore, their knowledge base is invaluable. They must be made to feel welcome to be heard. Everybody needs to be a bit humble, not thinking of themselves too highly, but certainly with a sober judgment proportionate to the amount of faith God has given them. Then everybody can have the space to speak up, just as you mention, and the Spirit can properly stitch all things together.
Love,
Steve Corey
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