Kevin Vanhoozer quotes Terry Eagleton in his book The Pastor as Public Theologian:
Reclaiming a Lost Vision, noting “Societies become secular not when they dispense with
religion altogether, but when they are no longer especially agitated by it.”[1] Specifically in
the West, the church is becoming indistinguishable from society. The enemy convinces the
church to move acceptable doctrine a little closer to society’s values until over time, the
spiritual tenet is destroyed and empty of any theological substance. This is one of Satan’s
active strategies and unless the Christian community has a strong foundational theology to
resist the attacks, the church will lose God’s vision and purpose. It is therefore imperative
that all Christians continually strive to understand the theological principles provided in
God’s Word.
e e e e e e e e e e There are plenty of examples that include divorce, sexuality, abortion and many
others. To help demonstrate the spiritual impact that can occur if that theological foundation
is absent, Vanhoozer has provided several examples, but this discourse will focus on two.
e e e e e e e e e e Todd Wilson discusses a situation at his church where the lead pastor believed that
human origins were consistent with the theory of evolution. This resulted in a significant
emotional response on both sides of the issue. Ultimately Wilson as part of the elder board
and after much research issued “a series of short and succinct statements, how to live
together as Bible-affirming believers who hold different views on this issue yet stand
together within a particular stream of evangelical Christianity.”[2] The ability to maintain
unity in the face of a potential church split was a spiritual success in the face of the
enemy’s opposition. Wilson’s theological foundation and passion for biblical truth avoided
division.
e e e e e e e e e e The other example comes from Jim Samra and deals with technology and
specifically social media. Researching the scriptures, Samra determined that technology is
just another tool that can lead us to coveting and idolatry. Our human nature is manifest by
“speaking evil of others (James 4:11–12), making plans without God (4:12–17), being
financially selfish (5:1–6), being impatient with God (5:7–12), and being individualistic
rather than community oriented (5:13–20).”[3] e Somewhat surprisingly, he doesn’t tell us to
abstain from technology, but use it like all other tools that God has provided. “The dangers
inherent in technology require the same solutions that James gives us regarding the things
of this world in general: humility, submitting to God’s law (the second and the fourth
commandments are especially relevant to technology), and drawing near to God in prayer,
because prayer is in many ways the opposite of technology.”[4] Without his theological
foundation, Samra would either boycott social media or be frustrated by its inefficiency.
Either way, his kingdom work would be hampered versus the solution he discovered in
God’s Word.
e e e e e e e e e e We as Christians cannot be passive and let others do the heavy lifting of
theological discovery. Dr. Fred Smith in the course video stated “We have ethical
obligations to one another in community …[and] as a community to the world.”[5] This is
God’s marketing plan to the lost, for the church to utilize biblical truths to show others who
God is and what he has done for them.
Word Count: 537
[1] Kevin J. Vanhoozer, The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision (Grand Rapids, MI:
Baker Academic, 2019), 1.
[2] Ibid., 65.
[3] Vanhoozer, Public Theologian, 68.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Dr. Fred Smith, “Dimensions of Christian Ethics”, Course Video.
Bibliography
Smith, Fred, Dr. “Dimensions of Christian Ethics.” Course Video.
Vanhoozer, Kevin J. The Pastor as Public Theologian: Reclaiming a Lost Vision. Grand
Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2019.
