Dr. Randy White
The church is a thinking institution. When the Scripture says that we have a “spiritual service of worship” (Romans 12:2), it uses the Greek word logikos, from which we get our English words logic and logical. Our spiritual service is a logical service, reasonable and rational, based on the revelation of God’s Word.I am increasingly concerned at the thinking of church leaders. Problematic thinking is becoming rampant in church leadership. In this article I want to pinpoint seven areas of problematic thinking. In the online session (below), I give further insight.
Anti-western, pro-eastern thinking
What began with the kernel of truth that, “we think too much in an American mindset” has grown into a frontal attack on the western mindset. The problem is that “western mindset” is the Judeo-Christian worldview that has blessed the world beyond compare. As you listen to neo-conservative preachers, listen for the consistency of attacking the American/western way of life and thinking.
Anti-individual, pro-communtarian thinking
The emphasis among many church leaders today is on God saving “society,” not the salvation of individuals. The “doctrine of sin management,” a phrase from Dallas Willard’s book, “The Divine Conspiracy,” is strongly condemned, in favor of social justice and a “kingdom work” (with a prerequisite misunderstanding of the Kingdom of God).
Anti-future, pro-present thinking
Social justice has become the watchword. In the words of Shane Claiborne (from whom you should run, not walk), the Gospel is more about “
bringing God’s Kingdom down” to the present than any future matter. Neo-conservatives are allergic to prophecy, eternity, and future-focused doctrine.
Anti-sectarian, pro-ecumenical thinking
Sectarianism is the great evil in the mindset of post-modern thinkers. The sectarian is one of the most despised of all creatures.
Wikipedia describes sectarianism as bigotry and discrimination. This definition has evolved over time. In Webster’s 1913 dictionary, the word simply meant “adherent of a special school, denomination, or religious or philosophical party.” I would argue that the church needs
more sectarianism, not less. We need to distinguish ourselves and proclaim our distinctives!
A failure to call a spade when they see one
Regardless of the truth of the accusation, the church today is allergic to accusation! Those who call spades are branded as trouble-makers. This does not go along with the “contending for the faith” which Christians are instructed to do.
A love of sound-byte theology over sound theology
If it sounds good, repeat it! This seems to be the mantra of the average church. We post to facebook, repost, retweet, and put it on marquees and websites. The problem is, much of our sound-byte theology is simply unbiblical. For example, the
Acts 29 organization claims to embrace “a missionary understanding of the local church and its role as the primary means by which God chooses to establish his kingdom on earth.” This sounds wonderful, until you search the Scripture in vain to see how God has chosen the church as “the primary means by which God chooses to establish his kingdom on earth.” Scripture tells us how God’s kingdom will be established…and the church is not involved.
Anti-knowledge, pro-feeling belief system
If we come to church and have a good feeling, the modern church will say, “The Spirit really moved today!” The sermon may have been an inch deep, and that inch was with questionable doctrine and value, but if we felt good, “the Spirit moved."If one studies Scripture for the real "movement of the Spirit” they will find that such terminology is not even a Biblical phrase and barely a Biblical concept, and that when one does see a “movement of the Spirit” in the Bible, it has different results than our feel-good “worship” service.
Conclusion
As you listen to the preaching of many of the so-called conservatives of our day, you will find these areas of problematic thinking coming to the surface over and over again. Be reminded that “in the last days many will depart from the faith.”[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=“yes” overflow=“visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=“1_1” background_position=“left top” background_color=“” border_size=“” border_color=“” border_style=“solid” spacing=“yes” background_image=“” background_repeat=“no-repeat” padding=“” margin_top=“0px” margin_bottom=“0px” class=“” id=“” animation_type=“” animation_speed=“0.3” animation_direction=“left” hide_on_mobile=“no” center_content=“no” min_height=“none”][s3video bucket=“OnlineStudies” folder=“Problematic Thinking”][/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
