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. h 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. h 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. h For a few years I attended a church like this. h
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. h My breaking point was when one of the
pastors described me to someone else as a “Word guy.” h 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. h The arguments presented seem
valid, but they are far from new. h 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. h 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. h 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.
