Why I don't warn as much as some would like me to
Saturday, November 5, 2005 at 7:02PM A couple of posts ago, Jacob wrote on my lack of criticism of the emerging church:
If my memory is correct, perhaps a few passing comments. Darryl, I think you're in a great position to warn about some of this "flaky theology" in a more specific and direct way.(just a little challenge bud)
There certainly is a role for warning against flaky theology, and there certainly is a lot out there of all types. Here are a few reasons why I don't tend to do this a lot:
My personality and calling - I really believe that some are called to this type of ministry. Certainly as a pastor I need to warn about error when it affects the local church. But I am not as skilled or as interested in doing this other times, by personality and also probably by calling. I tend to be more interested in finding common ground than taking one side against the other. It's a dangerous place to be as you usually end up getting shot by both sides.
Even when I find myself strongly in one camp, I tend to gravitate toward mediating the conflict than defending one side. Is that a weakness? I don't know. Not everybody is feisty.
My history - I grew up among fighting Baptists. As with many others, my desire to avoid unnecessary conflict stems in part from seeing conflict handled poorly sometimes as a youth. This is not always healthy since it would be much better to learn how to handle conflict appropriately than to avoid it, but that is probably where I find myself at times.
Actually, in a way I actually like to provoke debate and then sit back. I don't know what that says about me, but in my defense it is usually a necessary debate, and motivated by a bit of trouble-making but also a desire for both sides to learn from the other.
Others are doing a good job warning - There are great people out there who are doing a good job warning. I love reading Internet Monk, Challies, PyroManiac, and even Steve Camp. I don't necessarily agree with everything they write but I appreciate their approaches and they certainly are good at what they do.
I like a learning posture - I have found that occasionally (as in the emerging discussion) both sides have much to offer the other. I have also found that in these cases, a genuine desire to learn from the other side can lead to an acknowledgment of the weaknesses of the other position more than a full-on debate.
Some (not all) critiques can be a waste of time because they speak only to those who are already convinced of the problem. It takes skill to break through and generate learning and not just controversy.
I don't necessarily read the bad stuff - I self-select what I read and have not finished more than one book if it looks shabby. (No I'm not going to mention names.) Some are drawn to read and to critique. I find that if a book is flaky I end up abandoning it rather than finishing it and then pulling it apart.
As I write this I realize that I am inconsistent in how I apply this. But these are the reasons, for what they're worth, that I don't do more warning than I do.
Reader Comments (4)
Thanks for the response Darryl. My main point was not that there's not people doing it already or that it wouldn't be hard for you. But with the position you find yourself in - you are one of the emergers, they respect you, you come across as a great supporter of all things emerging church and they would likely not blow off some of the warnings you could make about their weakest theology. Thanks for responding and I'm glad it made you think , at least a little.
I'm with Jacob. You could be like a double agent secretly befriending and agreeing with this troublesome self absorbed breed. (think "me-mergent") Then when everybody is toasting ales and ravaging the "communion nachos" at church, ( think pub) you could slip in a little dose of actual Christianity. (think beatitudes) Once everybody finally understands that there opinions count for squat and that faith, humility and obedience to God's will are all that matter, maybe something productive might come out of this movement. Of course any movement that doesn't in the end reconcile the believer back to his or her Catholic roots isn't likely to sustain anything lasting. Protest and negation, don't seem to be the way to Jesus... Oh well at least they'll have ales for toasting and "Communion" nachos. Paul "Chronicly Catholic" Johnston
"You could be like a double agent secretly befriending and agreeing with this troublesome self absorbed breed." There is the problem right there. That isn't how I see the group and certainly not how I want to act!
Apparently, my comedic skills need honing...Okay, I might have been grinding some axe but it was mostly rubber. Safe journey, Darryl...no comedy, no axe. Paul "me-mergent made me laugh" Johnston