This is one of those reactionary posts that I try to avoid. But I’m not avoiding this one. While I will refer to a particular blog post and blogger, I have refrained from identifying any individual because this is really addressed to a number of people who like to pit the pursuit of doctrinal precision against “what Christians are really supposed to care about”—the poor, etc.
You could say I got up on the wrong side of the bed today. The irritation actually began some time ago, and came to a head a couple of weeks ago when a blogger I used to enjoy reading wrapped up the claims and insinuations of several others in one succinct, sanctimonious post. As much as I have tried to put it out of my head—after all, his screed was nothing new, just more abrasive than previous similar attacks—I woke up thinking about that post today. The point? That those who debate theology and are committed to doctrinal fidelity are really only interested in theoretical Christianity, that our religion goes no farther than the head, never reaching our hands.
The following assertions—entirely unsupported—were made: We don’t pray for those who disagree with us. We don’t care for the sick, lonely, or widowed. We don’t evangelize. We don’t give to material needs. We are not hospitable. We don’t, in fact, make any difference for Christ in anyone’s life. We just sit around arguing.
In the interest of honesty, the author claimed to be intentionally provocative in order to make a point. However, those assertions were the sum total of his post. They were not subtle insinuations. While I have condensed and slightly paraphrased them, he wrote exactly what you see here.
And so I admit, I am angry. I’m not angry because I’ve taken this personally. I could, but that’s none of your business. I have enough trouble keeping from my right hand what my left hand is doing (Matthew 6:3) without putting it down in writing. Being accused of not doing those things doesn’t help in keeping me from thinking about it, either, thank you very much.
I’m angry because these charges are patently false; because they distort the Gospel and the purpose of the church; they belittle the Biblical charges to “give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine” (1Timothy 4:13), to “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (4:16), to “keep that which is committed to thy trust” (6:20), etc.; they slander a multitude of brothers and sisters who have demonstrated otherwise on countless occasions throughout my life.
I’ve experienced some hard times the likes of which few of you will ever know. Through those times, God has been faithful to provide for me and my family, and he has done it through people, some of them being willing also to contend for sound doctrine. They visited me in the hospital. One of them even argued with me in the hospital, God bless him. They cared for my family in my absence. Some people, I know, made significant sacrifices for us. I couldn’t possibly remember all the kindnesses we’ve received, let alone list them here.
I received the Gospel from teachers for whom doctrinal fidelity was paramount. I will never forget the day when a man who is now the head of a seminary took the time to come out to the backyard where I was playing, kneel in the dirt with my trucks and tractors, and talk to me about Jesus.
I know that not everyone does what they ought. In fact, I know that no one does all that they ought. But I’m very tired of the kind of people who seem to think it is their calling to go about as self-appointed prophets, denouncing left and right, nagging others as though they know exactly what God wants them to do and when.
There are Christians all over the world—yes, even among us evil American capitalists—who contend for sound doctrine, pray for those who disagree with them, evangelize, and care for the needs of those around them. They aren’t rare. They just aren’t writing blog posts bragging about it. So take your sanctimonious diatribes and—just for kicks—apply them to yourselves.*
*In a clever twist of irony, I have inserted an unwarranted insinuation of my own.
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2 Comments:
#1 || 07·10·03··22:02 || David
Perhaps I'll write a post about do-gooders who care nothing for sound theology now. Or not.
#2 || 07·10·04··07:47 || donsandsd
I get you. Thanks for that well shared heartfelt frustration. I sort of entered in, and now I feel a little better.
I remember going to a Michael W. Smith concert and it was good, but then he stopped to speak about how the Church is so caught up in going to church with people right outside in the gutter who need Jesus' love.
Man, did my soul come unglued. i calmed down, and prayed, and then realized as talented as this brother is, his theology of helping others and not getting so caught up in theology is unbalanced, and therefore harmful, and incredibly shallow.
Thanks again for the post.
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