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February 11, 2004
Everyone Else is Wrong
I have recently noticed a trend among Christians, especially the "emerging church" types. The trend is to be cynical, critical, and dismissive of everything that doesn't fit into their particular view of the world. I don't think that this is a new trend. In fact, I suspect that it has been going on, in one form or another, since long before I was born. My guess is that, as one who was formerly cynical, critical, dismissive, Lutheran, and several other adjectives, I just never noticed it until now. But it's starting to make me upset, and, since I have now noticed it, something needs to be done immediately.
A couple of general examples: why do people hate Rick Warren so much? Do I agree with his theology? I doubt it, but Purpose Driven Life doesn't contain it, so it's hard to answer that completely. Do I agree with everything in Purpose Driven Life? No. Nor do a lot people who have a lot more initials behind their names. Could I nitpick the book to pieces? Probably, but it seems like a waste of time. I would feel that way even if it HADN'T already been given the white-glove treatment by hundreds of others.
I do know that, on a broad level, Warren is simply restating Biblical truths that the church has taught for centuries, and doing it in a way that makes it accessible to many people. It would also appear that God has chosen to use this book, for His purposes, in amazing ways. It would ALSO appear that almost all of the self-proclaimed experts chose to ignore this book until it was highly successful; only THEN did it become the downfall of concrete theological thought and, quite possibly, society as a whole.
Another phenomenon that I have witnessed: "Such-and-such an organization does all these things wrong!" This is followed by a laundry list of gripes. The organization is beholden to the church that provides the money. The para-church organization doesn't have anyone supervising them. They are too morally loose. They are too morally rigid. They think the Earth is only 2,000 years old when we all KNOW that it's really 2,500. The point that God uses MANY different ways to reach people. Yes, even that specific group that annoys you - Rock, Navigators, Campus Crusade, Baptists, Lutherans, Old Men Handing Out Bibles in the Snow... God is using all of these groups, to one extent or another, even if they aren't perfect. That's an awfully high standard, after all.
I don't believe that we should amend Purpose Driven Life to the Bible - it isn't the Word of God, it's the word of Rick Warren, which God is using. I don't believe that para-church organizations are perfect. On the other hand, neither is the organization with which I am involved. God seems to be using both, anyway. I don't believe that Rodney King was 100% correct when he pleaded, "Can't we all just get along?" On the other hand, if something is successful, can't we all avoid treating it like a big red target at which we must shoot our little, nit-pickity arrows? There sure are a lot of people that feel comfortable throwing stones, and it's starting to make me nervous.
Posted by Pat at February 11, 2004 01:30 PM
Comments
Wow Pat. Very good blog.
I had been really contemplating this subject lately.
If anyone ever finds a perfect ministry, perfect life group leader, perfect pastor, perfect worship leader or perfect friends, let me know.
Posted by: mike at February 11, 2004 01:41 PM
Wow pat, I had no idea you were formerly cynical, critical, dismissive ;)
Posted by: Adam at February 11, 2004 02:29 PM
formerly? :P. Good points P.
Posted by: Matt at February 11, 2004 02:45 PM