Theological discussion often amazes me. Being a religious studies major in college and then getting a master's in a baptist seminary and riding with three other students for 250 miles every day for over two years, then several years of working on a doctorate with very diverse theological students, I have been in some theological discussions. There are no winners in such a discussion. As a matter of fact, the loser in you begins to show rather quickly. There are 5 rules to remember in theological discussions: 1)Everyone in that discussion is at least a little right. 2) Everyone in that discussion is at least a little wrong. 3) You are probably not as far from each other's views as you think. 4)Most people that argue such don't know near what they are trying to proclaim that they do or they would not be arguing about it.
5) Don't ever take on seminary students in such a discussion unless you are one. It is too fresh for them. It is their homework.
The student center at the seminary in New Orleans sold a lot of coffee and housed a lot of such discussions. However, my experience with theological discussions (outside of a classroom setting and without a professor that was well groomed in the discussion that he started) is the following: 1) If you ask the two opposing voices about two of the right kind of questions you can get them to just about meet in the middle. 2)Both of them probably know little of what they are talking about. 3) The conversation usually is a matter of 'straining at the gnat and swallowing the camel.' The point is usually missed.
Please don't misunderstand me. Theological discourse is part of 'working out your salvation' and there are 'hills to die on' theologically and we don't all stand in the same place on all the issues. And the main point: Jesus is always right. However, most of theological discussions can be described as two or more egos colliding.
There is nothing controversial with this passage from the reading this morning, although I have heard people try to make it so. http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah%2032,33,34,35;%20James%202 James 2:17- ...faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. I have heard lengthy conversations about this passage but there is nothing controversial here. All James is saying is: If it is real, it will show. If it does not show, it is not real. It is not the work we do for God that saves us but the salvation that God gives us will put us to work. If it is real we will be sharing him, loving folks, and making a difference in our world for the Kingdom of God. As a matter of fact, if you seat around the table discussing this passage too long instead of living it out, your faith will start to stink. Let's go make a difference for Jesus and put our faith in Him and His Words to work in the lives of those that He has planted before us. Have a great day in the Lord!
No comments:
Post a Comment