[photo by Old Shoe Woman via Flickr]
Who is shaping us?
I am really growing tired of reading and hearing of the attacks on our brothers and sisters in the church who are attempting to help the church community locally and regionally (thinking of the church in the West) understand and appreciate the shift that is taking place in society and culture.
I hear of individuals and groups of people who are going after these re:thinkers (both clergy and laity alike) and are doing so in a manner that is not at all Christlike. It has been called a witch hunt by some. It's been called a ministry of discernment by others. Any way you shake it, no matter what side of the spectrum you are on, it is not being done in charity, grace, and humility.
As I've been thinking and processing this over the last week today I found myself asking a question. For those who resonate with the emergent dialogue, it is easy to see who these re:thinkers are being shaped by. It is obvious that McLaren has for those outside the dialogue been named the de facto leader. But there are so many other voices: Len Sweet, Bolger and Gibbs, Scot McKnight, Dan Kimball, Shane Claiborne, the late Robert Webber, and this is just scratching the surface. It is pretty obvious to see how these great and challenging writers are informing and shaping the persons who are helping us re:think.
But what about those who are questioning the re:thinkers? Who are they being shaped by? The pop Christian bubble of media (TV, radio, books, magazines, etc) are predominantly shaped--and dare I say controlled--by Calvinist/Reformed leaders. I must say here that it obviously depends on the specific medium, because a lot of what's on TV and radio at least in my geographical area of West Texas, is dominated by Pentecostal/Charismatic leanings.
Most of the Christian talk radio shows that are hosted by renown preachers generally lean away from a Wesleyan perspective. They hold firmly to Sola Scriptura and high innerent view of Holy Scripture that could come very close to bibliolotry. Dr Paul Basett wrote a paper back decades ago on "the leavening of Fundamentalism within the Church of the Nazarene." It continues today. Our people are shaped more by Reformed views than Wesleyan. Just like politically, I would venture to say more Nazarenes turn to Rush Limbaugh or Shawn Hannity for their political advice/perspective and allow them to shape them politically.
Who is shaping us? I'd venture a guess that people who sit in the pews week in and week out are shaped more by the sermons on the radio than by the one given by their pastors. And these dynamic voices are so convincing that their views/mindsets get absorbed into our people's minds that "THIS is the way it is." Then, they come to church or see a discussion and it doesn't fit that Reformed position, even though they more-than-likely don't even know that it's reformed...but it's what Chuck Swindoll says or David Jeremiah says or Jerry Johnston says...therefore it is right.
And, this brings me back around to the beginning of how the "discernment" is being expressed. A wise person (I don't remember who) said that there is a difference between "right belief" and "believing rightly." Right belief is right at the expense of others. It's the "king of the hill" mentality. At all costs, RIGHT belief. Then, there is believing rightly. This is understood in terms that actions, words, and thoughts all are expressions of what is believed. If I have to emotionally beat down some one so that I view dominates and is heard that loudest over all views, then I am NOT believing rightly.
Sorry, two thoughts in one post.
