BLOG Polity & Practice

#1 - January 4, 2010

Happy New Year

This is the first of what I have planned as 52 posts at this site. To get us off to a good start I am posting this material with the intent that it serve as credible guidelines for our deliberations. It is my thesis that there is far too much polemic discussion and not enough exegesis. For example, what is a credible and accurate resolution for these two passages of Scripture:

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25) ESV.

Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him (Luke 17:3-4) ESV.

These two passages APPEAR to say that forgiveness is unconditional (Mark 11:25) and conditional (Luke 17:3-4). Which is it? The way we resolves such issues is a powerful commentary about our spiritual maturity and faith. I propose the following as one profile for resolution. This is the kind of exegetical protocol I believe we MUST bring to the table if we are to be credible, honorable, effective theologians and servants of the LORD Christ. I pray that we will apply this method through the course of our deliberation here in 2010. There are a multitude of ratty and thorny issues we need to address. Should be challenging, beneficial and just plain fun. Engage the Truth - honor Christ. For additional challenges in this realm follow this link http://www.crosswalk.com/spirituallife/11536806/

Anyone who engages theological discourse in any Public Forum has been excoriated, abused or just plain trashed. Who perpetrates this abuse? The minions of Satan? The atheist that abound? The 'lunatic fringe'? None of the above.

Tragically it is often other professed believers who would also wish to be considered capable Christian Scholars. How sad. I address this topic with the motive and purpose of launching a MOVEMENT.

What will this require? Nothing more or less than 'Life in Community'.

Accountability is - - each one helping the other keep the commitments they have made to GOD on the basis of loving relationships.

Believers have a commitment to the NEW COVENANT. That covenant contains a very explicit communication protocol. When I write something that violates this covenant, you, ALL of you, bring that to my attention with precision and a call to repentance. You cite the error (sin) that I am guilty of and call me to confess and repent. It is a violation of our union with Christ to merely shrug and say - - "Oh, that is just Tom". Not acceptable. People who engage in ad-hominem attacks, shoddy scholarship and just plain ineptitude do so because the 'body' remains silent. This kind of abusive communication is the "Funny Uncle" in our living room. No more! Expose him and shine the light of Truth on his abominable abusive behavior.

Here are some characteristics I propose. These are the bare minimum that must shape acceptable communication that honors Christ and promotes open and honest consideration of the text of Scripture and the application of that text to life - Applied Theology.

1. Logical non-contradiction. (God is not schizophrenic and neither is His revelation of Himself).

2. Empirical Adequacy (exegetical substance/accuracy that supports the thesis I am promoting).

3. Existential Viability (what we are deliberating really matters in the real world).

4. Humility (if it is demonstrated that I am in error, I submit graciously to the Truth and modify my position to harmonize with Truth).

5. Civility (if we cannot agree on a position that is clearly preferable to others, we accept the impass and do not engage in immature and unkind exchanges).

6. Contact with the Principal (I address the issue with the primary participants, not through a circuitous collection of others to whom I disparage the other Principal in that exchange).

7. Collaborative Consultation (Both parties are receptive to the larger Christian Community and are willing to consider their contribution to the issue being deliberated).

8. Historic Orthodoxy (I acknowledge the historic perspective embraced through the centuries of church and draw effectively on the fruit of that history).

9. Exegesis not Polemics (Most exchanges are heavy on polemics and light on exegetical substance. The issue is 'what does the text say?').

I am praying earnestly that this profile becomes an operative and beneficial addition to understanding and applying Truth to life - - A MOVEMENT. Join this effort. Hold one another accountable. Remember Joshua & Caleb (Num. 14:36-38). They were true Leaders. The other ten were impostors. Together we can do this. God is honored by this endeavor and He will bring it to pass!

I close this post with the exhortation of Paul to Timothy. These words capture the heart of this process. If applied, Truth will reign supreme, God will be honored and we as His servants will benefit.

Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Tim. 2:23-26; ESV).

Resources:

Exegetical Fallacies, D. A. Carson

Integrative Theology, Gordon R. Lewis & Bruce A. Demarest

The Unexamined BLOG

I’m sure you’ve read this quote before: “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates said that at his trial for heresy. He was on trial for encouraging his students to challenge the accepted beliefs of the time and think for themselves. The sentence was death but Socrates had the option of suggesting an alternative punishment. He could have chosen life in prison or exile, and would likely have avoided death.

But Socrates believed that these alternatives would rob him of the only thing that made life useful: Examining the world around him and discussing how to make the world a better place. Without his “examined life” there was no point in living. So he suggested that Athens reward him for his service to society. The result, of course, is that they had no alternative and were forced to vote for a punishment of death.

There are a few investments that always pay significant dividends. One of those for me has been to utilize the last week of the year for evaluation. What did I do that was fruitful and effective? What did I do that was a bust? Where should I invest my time and energies in the new year? This BLOG is one area that I believe has significant potential.

Let me be quick to add that I do not believe my reward will be death as it was for Socrates. Some may desire that I die, but, they do not exercise fiat autonomy to execute that sentence so I will press on!

My life focus has been and is the Reformation & Renewal of the Evangelical Church in America. My focus will be toward accomplishing that objective. Only God can do this. However, He has chosen to use means. He has graciously permitted sinful mortals to participate in this glorious reality called "The Church". She is the Bride of Christ. He blesses efforts to adorn and beautify this Bride. I consider this a holy and honorable focus in which one may invest life's resources. So, we will do just that.

My profile will be to publish a weekly article on the Evangelical Church. Each article will feature an issue that I believe needs modification and/or correction for the church to be healthy and effective. In that same post I will include an antidote for that issue. My desire is that this BLOG not become a simple rant, always citing what is wrong but never offering any solutions. However, it is also true that if the issues are not defined and addressed, the slide into the abyss will continue. That statement is not hyperbole. Consult the work of David Olson www.theamericanchurch.org for a wealth of data that substantiates this thesis - - we are in a tailspin.

Finally, I quote from the work of Gary Johnson and Reginald Gleason, Reforming or Conforming:

The first priority of the church is not mission but confession. Any emphasis on being missional that is not already clear on what it means to be confessional will misrepresent the person and work of Christ and hinder the work of the church (p.235)

I plan to post this data each Monday. My prayer is that as you read these fifty-two posts on the church in 2010 that the insights offered are beneficial, exalt Christ and equip Shepherds (Andy Stanley not withstanding) to lead courageously and effectively. “ecclesia reformata, semper reformanda.” The church reformed and always reforming.

In Grace,
tcf
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