Numerous emergent church and other Christian leaders are beginning a new campaign to transform the theology of the Christian Church [see http://transformingtheology.org/]. Personally, I feel uninvited to their alleged Big Tent.
I write this because most of their animosity is aimed at my particular view of the Bible, a view that takes the Bible seriously and attempts to interpret it in a historical and grammatically accurate way [Baldock, Big Tent Artifact, eBook, p. 5 and Clayton, p. 12].
I will be glad to set aside the semantics and join their Big Tent, but I do have two aspects of their action plan that I will watch closely. In two areas the Big Tent leaders tend to have loose connections. The first loose connection is between the Big Tenters and the mainstream liberal view of America. I see that loose connection as they claim openness to many views but tend to be open to only their own views [I saw this clearly at the one meeting I attended on AZ SB1070].
They are also, in a scary way, more connected with the LGBT 'church'. I have no problem inviting LGBTs to church, nor do I have a problem worshiping with them. My problem is that LGBTs and Big Tent people believe homosexual behavior is acceptable to God. As far as I am concerned their 'church' would be parallel to a racist church gathering that thinks God accepts racism.
Seriously, I do not need the Bible to tell me that homosexual behavior is not good. I only need the Bible to tell me that it is evil. Anatomy, hygiene and the medical field convince me that anal intercourse is not good. Anal intercourse always causes injury and exposes both partners to chronic, contagious and deadly diseases. Those that hate homosexual men condone or glorify [through their promotion of gay marriage] anal intercourse. In my view, the Bible condemns homosexual behavior that is anal intercourse. The Bible, in fact, seriously condemns anal intercourse between any two people. God loves homosexual men. Why does the Big Tent hate them?
If the connection between the LGBT 'church' and the Big Tent remains open to homosexual behavior they can count me out. If their movement were open to accepting racism they could count me out as well.
The other loose connection of the big tent movement is their connection with teaching the Bible. While attacking conservative views of the Bible consistently they keep their own mention of the Bible to a minimum.
Unless their Big Tent is more closely connected to the Bible and less closely connected to political liberalism, the tent is going to be much smaller than they expect.
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bible. Show all posts
Friday, January 7, 2011
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Philippians 2
The Apostle Paul expresses one main priority for those who follow Christ in terms of their relationship with each other. Philippians 2.1,2 "Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose." The Apostle is teaching us that if we have any spiritual commitment at all we should seek a unity in love & purpose with our brothers and sisters in Christ.
But, literally, how in the world do we gain a unity in the church when there is such diversity of personality, opinion and preference? It is not easy, but we follow the example of Christ, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” All of us tend to cling to our earthly rights and priorities and this tends to develop divisions in the church. Jesus is God, and yet He chose not to grasp hold of His rights as God. He was born as a servant, ministered as a servant and died as a servant, all for our sake.
But, literally, how in the world do we gain a unity in the church when there is such diversity of personality, opinion and preference? It is not easy, but we follow the example of Christ, “Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” All of us tend to cling to our earthly rights and priorities and this tends to develop divisions in the church. Jesus is God, and yet He chose not to grasp hold of His rights as God. He was born as a servant, ministered as a servant and died as a servant, all for our sake.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Flying Spaghetti Monster
In response to this question on Yahoo Answers Did you see the Flying Spaghetti Monster? I wrote,
Take a deep breath. No one believes in an FSM (except a few atheists).
Many people note that our universe is quite complex (sometimes irreducibly), quite organized and often acts in harmonious and consistent ways. This logically causes people to think that the universe is more of a garden than a chaotic glob. Many therefore believe in the existence of a gardener. Personally, I believe in the Gardener mentioned in the Bible. He is essentially one ('uni') and yet exists in three persons ('verse'). One used to be able to learn this at the university.
Take a deep breath. No one believes in an FSM (except a few atheists).
Many people note that our universe is quite complex (sometimes irreducibly), quite organized and often acts in harmonious and consistent ways. This logically causes people to think that the universe is more of a garden than a chaotic glob. Many therefore believe in the existence of a gardener. Personally, I believe in the Gardener mentioned in the Bible. He is essentially one ('uni') and yet exists in three persons ('verse'). One used to be able to learn this at the university.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Juggling Family Priorities
I just watched 'Cheaper by the Dozen' with Steve Martin, Hillary Duff and a host of others. I guess that movie represents the extreme of trying to juggle the responsibilities of a family. Although few people can identify with having 12 children, we can all identify with the difficulties of trying to juggle our time to meet the responsibilities we have for each individual while pursuing a relationship with God... and maybe even attempting to keep sane. Ephesians provides some principles that help. Beginning with chapter 4 the Apostle Paul explains how we can now live in light of the new people that we are based on our faith in Christ. In chapter 5 under the category of living (NASB 'walking') wisely the Apostle applies a principle that a non-spiritual person would never consider. The first priority is to submit to God. One submits to God by being 'filled with the Holy Spirit'. 'Filled with the Holy Spirit' has little to do with charismatic gifting. Rather it is primarily letting God control our choices in somewhat the same way as alcohol controls the choices of a drunk. The parallel seems crude, but is legitimate. So the 'let go and let God' theology does have some merit.
After one submits to God, the Apostle calls families to submit to each other (and we can apply this idea of submission to the broader church family). Husbands are to submit to wives by means of offering a sacrificial love. Wives are to submit to husbands by offering them respect. And finally, children are to submit to their parents by offering respect. With any normal interpretation of this text the follower of Christ is quickly driven to make sure that he/she has first submitted to God or the remaining submissions will never see the light of day.
After one submits to God, the Apostle calls families to submit to each other (and we can apply this idea of submission to the broader church family). Husbands are to submit to wives by means of offering a sacrificial love. Wives are to submit to husbands by offering them respect. And finally, children are to submit to their parents by offering respect. With any normal interpretation of this text the follower of Christ is quickly driven to make sure that he/she has first submitted to God or the remaining submissions will never see the light of day.
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