The following is a continuation of the study we have been discussing for the last few months. For the first article in this study click here. In the last article we discussed that we are to seek the Scriptures to determine what is true and false, right and wrong (2 Timothy 3:16-4:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). We are to hold “fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, that [we] may be able both to exhort in sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict (Titus 1:9). We need to “continue in the things [we] have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings” (2 Timothy 3:14-15). “Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear year” (1 Timothy 4:16). As you can see here and in the previous articles, what we believe is very important. We are to believe what the Bible teaches about everything. Not only that, but we should become confident in what we believe. What we have come to believe through a systematic study of Scripture is what comes to be known as doctrine or theology. This is what the mind of a Christian looks like.
However, not all adhere to a biblical worldview. Far from getting a clear understanding from the word of God, there is a group that chooses to be lost in thought or undefined rather than to allow Scripture to define them. They say things like, “we don’t know where we’re going and we don’t like we [re] we’ve been, but we’re sure it’s not logical…but it is a journey and it will embrace mystery and contingency” (1). In describing themselves, they say, “We don’t even want to define ourselves. We’re not even sure we are a movement” (1). Sadly they say of themselves “We still haven’t found what we’re looking for, although some of us seem to know what we’re reacting against” (1). This group chooses to look anywhere other than the Bible for answers. The result is that they don’t even know where they are going, what they are, or what they will become. This is not where the Lord wanted us to be as seen above. Not only do they not know what direction they are going, but do you know what they are “reacting against” or the place that they “don’t like [where they’ve] been”? Read what they say and what they say about themselves. For the most part they oppose the church. In fact, one in the Emergent Church even wrote a book titled, “A Churchless Faith” (2).
They do not like people who know the answers or know what they believe. They say, “Hesitancy and humility are encouraging characteristics of many of those who are emerging churches, aware that they are exploring and experimenting. This is a refreshing change from those who advocate ‘this-is-the-answer’ solutions” (3). However, what verse was that that said you have to not be sure of any answers to be humble or have no confidence in your beliefs at all to be humble? Remember theology is just systematically studying the Bible to see what the Lord says about different topics. In other words to see what is true and false, right and wrong. Yet listen to how those in the Emergent Church talk of theology. “I think that if you want to survive Christianity, and I am not sure if it is possible yet, you need one of those cartoon tunnels, something that can create a womb-like space in the being of your beliefs and religious services, a virgin space where the word of God can impregnate you - the problem is that theo-logy (that’s a term that refers to Western Metaphysical theology, the stuff of apologetics and evangelicalism) closes down space, that is why at Ikon we are developing a theology which derives from the mystics, a theology without theology to complement our religion without religion” (4). As can be seen, they oppose being defined by the Word of God. We will continue this discussion next month.
(1) Resource One
(2) Resource Two
(3) Resource Three
(4) Resource Four
(5) Resource Five
(6) Resource Six
