So many times in my discussions I encountered individuals who can dish out the criticism, yet can't take any in return. Criticism is not a bad, improper or sinful thing to do, rather it's an effective way to test things such as concepts, ideas, testimonies, etc while establishing a well rounded defense of what is being criticized. So, why is it that a Christian can be so upset if one were to criticize their position?
I'll use an example from my own discussions with others. Just recently I was talking to a new friend I had met via Internet. We were chatting through text over what Calvinism is, what historical Arminianism is, who's an Arminian, what this pastor believes, what that pastor believes and the problems with what they believe. We were basically criticizing the positions of other individuals. Eventually, because we did not know each other very well, we began asking what each of us believed, specifically soteriologically. This individual refused to take the label of Calvinist or Arminian and in addition, claimed that he/she did not agree/disagree with either side.
Now, as obvious as this is, that one cannot take this middle of the road position without contradicting themselves, this person felt comfortable in that position. To say that one cannot really know what the Bible says and we shouldn't argue about it and let it divide the body of Christ, is in essence compromise, surrendering the sufficiency of Scripture and perhaps even a fear that taking a stand will push away friends and take away popularity. I mean, it may even radically change how we think and do everything, plus I don't want to seem dogmatic because that's the exact reason people leave the church. There are people out there that are so compromising that they choose the middle of the road position on nearly everything, just to be pleasing to the greatest amount of people within the audience of their agenda.
For example, to stand on the side of Calvinism would radically change how one thinks and does evangelism. We can trust that God is in control of who will be saved, and that we should just preach the gospel to the lost, do our best, trust in God and His Word. Now, if we were to stand on the Arminian side, our method would play out very differently. We would think it were up to us to save them, that we have to convince them apart from a work of God. God can't do it, so we have to do it. God really plays no part because He's already been trying His best to save them. And after all, God does know who will and will not be saved.
After much was said concerning free will, unconditional election, what a choice is, etc, the individual became upset and apparently perceived my words as impatient and sarcastic. I explained that I am a very laid back person, no harm was intended, and text can often times be misinterpreted. Although I had explained myself and they had said they understood, I came to find out the very next day that I was removed and blocked from his/her Facebook page (we met via Facebook). Whether or not this person got upset that I challenged their position and pointed out inconsistencies, or if they simply thought I was rude, this personifies the attitude many have when confronted with the doctrines of grace. They want to preserve free will, yet maintain a sovereign God, so the beast they create is a god that is contradicting, decrees his own unhappiness and that is not in control of evil.
I say all that to say this; there is still much fighting to be done on the battlefront of soteriology and one of our greatest weapons is Biblical criticism. The answer seems very simple, yet this is how we win the war. We go to God's Word and we talk about it. Although we may already seem to do that, we can no longer use the worldly tactics of clashing verse against verse, argument against argument. We need to destroy the arguments, examine the verses and cut straight to the center of the argument.
Criticism will push forward our battlefront and will unite the church. It will weed out heresy, inconsistency and error. The visible church will again have a sound mind and be able to defend herself much more effectively against the current popular enemies, atheism and Islam. Eventually, the church will be on the assault, changing the culture, government and community.
In conclusion, as much more should be, could be, and will be said on the subject, we must have a vision and a will. We have to get out of the mentality that all of our plans are pointless because Jesus will be coming back very soon and that it's hopeless to even try. Where is the belief that Jesus is Lord? Where is the trust that God's Word is powerful? Where is the confidence that the Christian worldview is THE worldview that explains how everything works? Why are we so ashamed to take a stand for doctrinal truth? Why must we feel a need to appeal to the times and culture, instead of letting the gospel change both?
No comments:
Post a Comment