Surviving Theology – Head vs. Heart
Did it change you?
The more we learn about God, the more we (should) change. Some of us go to an extreme intellectual end and forget about the relational aspect of Christianity. Others of us go to the extreme relational aspect and completely ignore our intellect. I am not here to argue for a middle ground, but something different altogether.
Just give me Jesus.
Instead of trying to convince you to become more intellectual, or to become more relational, I am going to convince you to learn more about Jesus. Some of us can do this really well with out brains. We can learn theology with the best of them. I sit in this category to a point. Hence the reason I am earning my “fake” masters (really need a better name for that…). On the flip side, I am not as bright as some of my friends. You will notice the lack here is in my heart. It is very hard to get the information to move from my head to my heart. This is silly because I know Jesus wants a relationship with His followers. How many of us examine our close friends and family by reading textbooks about them? Not many.
On the other end, we have people who make the relationship all heart and no head. This can be just as bad. If we think about any relationship we are in, how often do we make bad heart decisions? We get angry because a family member or friend does not act in our best interest. This hurts our heart and we lash out. We have to remember, our hearts are wicked and imperfect. While the Holy Spirit takes up residence inside us, we still have the continual battle with our flesh. Don’t believe me? go to a Pentecostal church. Ask some basic theological question and see what weird things come out. Call them out on some of their practices which are not found anywhere in Scripture. Most likely you will receive an emotion-based response.
***The Disclaimer Strikes Again***
I know, I pointed out a flaw in the more charismatic camps. This will prompt emails and negative comments. Many of you will forget how I pointed out the flaws in the intellectual camp just one paragraph earlier. Bring ‘em on so I can delete them. After you vent, feel free to re-read the second paragraph. Quit getting all emotional on me.
***End The Disclaimer***
We have to know Jesus to the best of His ability.
To many of us, He will give us an intellectual gift. He will help us know Him through books and lectures. He will make concepts real to us others just cannot grasp. We will care about things deeply that others do not. To others, He will melt our hearts with His supreme love to a point where we weep during every prayer. Our hearts will be so close to Him that we feel His presence during even the most mundane activities. We should be stretching ourselves in order to grow in our relationship. This means head people should pray more, worship with music and quiet times. Try and glorify God through the arts, etc. For the heart people, pick up a good book by a dead guy (I think heart people would LOVE Francis Schaeffer and John Frame. Well, Schaeffer is dead, but Frame is still with us).
In turn, we should also continue to go with our strengths. Head people, keep studying (but do not forget applying what you learned!). Heart people, Keep pressing in. Continue to learn about God through your activities and prayer. Continue to be lead by the Spirit (and remember to learn how the Spirit operates, it is not some grand secret, it’s in the Bible).
God made us all unique.
He has called some of us to learn about Him systematically, and others experientially. But we are all one Body, and all the parts are equally useful and equally loved.
-Don-
We’re Not Stupid
Once a month or so, I write something more reactionary. I don’t really like writing reactionary posts. But, it is what it is.
If you stand your ground for anything, people will try and make you move.
Most people have an agenda, it is to do whatever is best for themselves. Some people will simply go the rout of hedonism and exploit anything they can for their favor. Why do you think obesity and internet pornography is so prevalent? Others will try and go the rout of obeying cultural norms. If someone tells them saving the earth by being “green” is what is best for them, thats what they will do. This is how groups like PETA and Green Peace survive. I would argue that sticking to cultural norms is the loudest persuader of all. When people hear a message they like, they flock to it, usually without asking any hard questions. Part of this is because we, in America, live in a culture of excess.
When was the last time we gave much thought to our actions?
Many of us cannot even watch a commercial for a Pillsbury product without going to the store to buy some brownies. And why not? Culture tells us we should get what we want, when we want it, and most of us have the $3 to spend. Steve Jobs has told the world they need a new iPad, and we believe him. We are constant chasers of the American dream because we are told we deserve it. In truth, we deserve nothing.
I will invoke Godwin’s Law right now. Not all things culture tells you to do are healthy and good for humanity, just ask Germany.
Think it through.
The common reaction to anyone who disagrees with us is to attack them. On the internet we see this more often due to anonymity. While I do not condone it, I do see how this should be common among opposites. An Atheist has elevated himself to a position of god. (S)he will attack a Christian because they worship God, and God is not the Atheist. This causes some friction against the Atheists pride resulting in a (sometimes) grueling onslaught of insults. For the record, Christians play the same card the same way. We attack with grueling insults instead of articulate debates.
What I understand less is the way Christians attack each other.
Not to sound all “woe is me”
Those in the reformed camp will take more hits than many other Christians. The current cultural norm for Christians is to reject anything that would make a Christian look like his parents. This means we reject hymns, the King James bible, liturgy, church discipline, and adhering to sound doctrine. Most of the Christians today would look at anyone who was conservative in their theology as “stupid.” Many will read books by those who tickle their ears and say what they want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). People will complain we talk too much about the Gospel, the Bible, sin, and Christ’s role in redemption of His people. We will be called stupid and old fashioned. Take the case of Wheaton College. They elected a new president of their (pretty liberal) university this past weekend. He has been crucified by those calling themselves Christians as being a “woman-hating reformer” (see the comments on this article for more).
We have more degrees than many, yet are still considered barbarians.
Many refuse to acknowledge the intellect of those in the reformed camp. Guys like Dr. Don Carson, Dr. John Piper and Dr. Wayne Grudem receive little respect outside of Calvinistic churches. Instead of reading books by guys like Edwards, Spurgeon, Piper, Frame, and Lovelace, we read books by people who have elected to interpret the Bible to mean you can go to heaven without Jesus.
I only ask you think through your consistency in argument.
As Christians, before you levy an attack on another brother or sister, I ask you think through this, especially those of you who are liberal Christians. Does your entire doctrine make sense or are points of it self-defeating? Conservative Christians, are you dying on the right hills? Or are you arguing non-sense religion? Are you arguing respectfully? Or are you hurling insults?
I open the floor for questions.
I have found many have questions about what more conservative Christians believe, especially Calvinists. I would like to allow you to leave a comment with any questions you have. I will answer as many as I can, and I am sure my brothers who are more intelligent than I (I’m looking at you Jon, Justin, Demian, and Daniel) will be happy to step in and answer them as well. Just be aware, act like a jackass and I will delete your comment.
-Don-
Don’t Do This Alone
I got your back, dude.
The lone wolf usually gets shot.
I have often tried to do things alone. I don’t know why, but I often don’t play well with others. For example, I have been kicked out of more bands than most people have ever been in. Sure, there were rare cases when it was not my fault, but most times it was my attitude. Seems I just had to be the alpha male. During high school, I stuck to my group of friends and often chased others away with my mouth. I never had a problem telling people I really didn’t like them. As I have gotten older, I have changed a little.
Being married can change a man.
After marriage, you rarely get to do anything alone. This is not a bad thing. I actually enjoy taking my wife along on this journey. We have grown so much over the last (almost) five years. Other than her, I rarely let anyone inside my circle. Until yesterday.
Triads…er..diads…duet?
The church we have been attending, and will very soon be members of, stresses accountability triads. On a regular basis, a person sits down with his group and they go over some tough questions about their lives. Our triad actually consists of only two guys right now as we search for a third. To protect the identity of the other guy in my “diad” we will call him “Joe.”
I sat down with Joe yesterday. Neither of us really knew what to expect. We had a natural conversation and explained a bit of our background stories to each other. One of the things Joe said to me was so common sense, yet I miss it. He simply stated, “if we focused on the Gospel and how we glorify God, instead of our temptations, we would sin less” (I paraphrased, it’s not like I was taking notes).
I would not have learned this alone.
Over the last month or so, my wife and I have jumped into community at our church. It has been amazing, and we have only just begun. I have stated many times the importance of community, all while being hypocritical. Community helps you by calling you out and asking tough questions. It helps you by being there for you, even when you are not at your finest (read: always). It helps you by allowing you to be outward focused for the good of the Church (the entire body), the local church, and your community (small groups, triads, etc). I guess this is why that whole “Iron sharpens iron” thing is in scripture.
Please don’t make me do it.
I will not put up a disclaimer about how you should make sure you are in good community. I will not warn you that some relationships are toxic and should be cut off. I will not warn you that if you make your community all about yourself, it will fail. I will not. Absolutely will not do it.
I wish I had known this months ago
If I could do it over again, I would have opened my life up to others a long time ago. I would not have put up my shields and kicked / kept people out. The Church should not be a community of loners. We are not called to handle this by ourselves. For this I am grateful.
I am even more grateful I found this out before I was old and grey (er…balder…)
-Don-
Tired of Your Junk
Now, let’s make fun of books, ok?
I only have one more in the pipeline I agreed to read. It is a work of fiction and I hope it turns around in the next chapter or so. After this one, I am a new man!
I think I have only reviewed three books I actually liked. Most of the books I get completely suck. Seriously. Finding a guy like Chris Tomlinson is rare. I actually enjoyed his book. Most of the books I get from publishers are self-help books disguised as Christian books. They are full of mindless drivel. So many authors in the “Christian” market want you to believe it is easy to be a Christian and anything that suggest otherwise is wrong. The irony is, they are wrong. Contrary to what Family Christian Stores want you to believe, Christianity is not all sunshine and kitties. Most of the time it is cuts and bruises that pale in comparison to the blood shed on the Cross.
I reviewed the bad ones because I had to
I liked to think it was a public service. I was telling you what books to stay far away from. Unfortunately for you, I am tired of taking one for the team. I am wasting too much time reading things I don’t care about. If I had not agreed with the publisher to read the entire book, I would have practiced the art of book abandonment. If you must know the truth, some books have gotten so bad that I found myself speed reading through them and probably retaining about as much information had I not read them at all. Many of the books felt like homework. I was reading them and memorizing just enough to pass the test (or, write a review).
From this point forward
I am going to try and review books I actually want to read. Books I may find beneficial to share. Yes, there may still be some bad ones in there, but you cannot always judge a book by its cover (cliche, I know). I will be upfront and truthful if I abandon the text or cannot finish it.
I feel so…liberated.
I have several books on my shelf I cannot wait to read (and one on the way). I will be reviewing the following as I finish them:
John Piper
Don’t Waste Your Life
A Sweet and Bitter Providence: Sex, Race, and the Sovereignty of God
John Stott
Francis Schaeffer
Steve Timmis and Tim Chester
Total Church: A Radical Reshaping around Gospel and Community (Re:Lit)
I think it is ironic I will be reading Don’t Waste Your Life as I think about all the books I wasted time reading…
-Don-
