More than ever in the year 2021 the true church of Jesus Christ must have a
knowledgeable understanding of who God is and what scripture says. i Peter makes it
clear in 1 Peter 3:15 when he says: “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope
that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
Unfortunately, I feel that I have dealt with many people content in their own ignorance
regarding many theological topics. i In my experience they would rather take the easy
way out and use “great faith” as an excuse instead of actually taking the time to study
the word and build their faith on a solid foundation.
In this week’s lecture "Dimensions of Christian ethics," Dr. Fred Smith brought up
churches that are overly fascinated with the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. i For a
few years I attended a church like this. i While I do believe that these gifts are possible
in this day and age, I see entirely too much of an emphasis on the gifts at the expense
of the Word and theology. i My breaking point was when one of the pastors described
me to someone else as a “Word guy.” i What they meant was I did not share their
emphasis on the Holy Spirit.
This pastor is no longer walking with the Lord. When his beliefs were challenged, he
did not have security in sound theology and scripture and as a result he faltered.
The chapter, “How can you take the Bible so literally?” from Confronting Christianity
wonderfully proves the point. i The arguments presented seem valid, but they are far
from new. i Laughlin’s examples such as supposed Bible contradictions, the value of
parables and extra-biblical sources should have an easy defense for God’s people but
unfortunately, they can shake the foundations of a weak faith.
I believe that this alleged ‘new revelation’ that people receive is self-deceptive.
McLaughlin states that, “We are inclined to assume that we are more sophisticated
than a text written thousands of years ago. But the more we read the Bible, the more
we will find we are not.”[1]
My role as Pastor, I feel, is to equip the people of God to know and understand what
they believe. i In his book, “Pastor as Public Theologian” Owen Strachan says about
Augustine of Hippo’s teachings, “It was aimed not at his philosophically minded
friends but at the ordinary men and women who crowded his pews and needed his
gospel.”[2]
I believe that Augustine had the right approach and the church is at its strongest when
the people know their theology as well as the pastor. i 1 Peter 3:15 is not just for
pastors, but it is for everyone and a healthy church will always show it.
Bibliography:
McLaughlin, Rebecca.
Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's
Largest Religion
. Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2019.
VanHoozer, Kevin J., and Owen Strachan.
Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a
Lost Vision
. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015.
[1] Rebecca McLaughlin,
Confronting Christianity: 12 Hard Questions for the World's
Largest Religion
(Wheaton, Illinois: Crossway, 2019), 100.
[2] Kevin J. VanHoozer and Owen Strachan,
Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming
a Lost Vision
(Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2015), 74.
