Several years ago, when we were looking for a church to attend, an acquaintance questioned our consideration of one local congregation by informing us that they had spoken disparagingly of Billy Graham. The point we were supposed to get was that, having criticized Billy Graham, they had no credibility. To this person, Graham was an untouchable. To examine his doctrine and methods critically was to question the unquestionable. I’ve encountered similar attitudes, among Roman Catholics and Protestants alike, towards investigations into the myth of “Mother” Teresa. Some of you are shocked even now at my use of the word “myth.” Suppose I had the temerity to say I believe that James Dobson has done more harm than good to the evangelical church? Would you want to know why, or would you automatically write me off as a crank for touching an untouchable? What if I said that the Wesleys’ ministries were such a mess of contradictions that I really wish they had not gained prominence in church history?
None of the names I’ve mentioned are the point of this post, so I don’t want to hear whatever you’re thinking about them in particular. Remove them, and fill in any names you’d like. The point, which you’ve likely already ascertained, is this: Are any so sacrosanct that you are unwilling to hold them up for examination under the light of truth? If so, please abandon any pretense of intellectual integrity or spiritual fidelity. You’ve made idols of men. Repent.
Anyone worthy of your admiration can withstand scrutiny. Investigation will vindicate them. Discussion of their flaws will yield fruit as well, helping you to grow away from idols and toward objectivity. You’ll learn to appreciate the individuals in question as flawed conduits, rather than sources, of grace. Some of your heroes may be mythical. They may not be what you’ve thought them to be. You may find that their characters are eminently reproachable, or that their doctrines and methods are unbiblical. Discovery can be painful, but don’t you love the truth and its author more than these?
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4 Comments:
#1 || 10·08·16··08:31 || Kim in ON
Evangelicals have all sorts of "sacred cows" that we are not allowed to question. I'm regularly raked over the coals because I don't care for Beth Moore, yet lots of the women I speak to have never even taken a close look.
#2 || 10·08·16··17:16 || David
The only thing I know about Beth Moore is that the only people I know who like her are theologically clueless. I never see her on the recommended reading lists of those whose thinking I respect. That means something, I think.
#3 || 10·08·16··17:31 || Kim in ON
I did some posts about her once, and the traffic on my blog quadrupled, and then I received hate mail for months afterward. She has lots of zealot-like admirers.
#4 || 10·08·17··13:20 || Sheldon Clowdus
I have run into this numerous times as well. It isn't only people that we do this with but books and other material as well. All one has to do is take a look at the furor over "The Shack" to see that.
Sadly, for far too many who profess Christ, the pursuit of Christ and His truth is not nearly as exciting or important as the next Joel Osteen (or fill in the blank with someone else) book.
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