I have been reading John Piper’s Battling Unbelief for a small group Bible study. In the chapter on pride, Piper quotes G.K. Chesterton:
“What we suffer from… is humility in the wrong place. Modesty has moved from the organ of ambition. Modesty has settled upon the organ of conviction.”
This was a great comfort to me. Those of us concerned with discernment and sound doctrine within the Church are often accused of being prideful, haughty, having a Jezebel spirit, etc. Because I recognize that I am not perfect, and do not have everything figured out, I occasionally wonder if they aren’t right. Am I just a self-righteous, know-it-all, prig?
While I have certainly been guilty of a youthful priggishness now and again, I do have a sincere concern about the state of Truth in the Church. It is neither immodest nor prideful to have strong convictions. We are to be “stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel…” (Colossians 1:23). This, I believe, implies that there will be those who attempt to shift us from that hope, and furthermore, that they should be resisted. And, of course, Jude urges us to “contend for the faith” (Jude 3). John MacArthur recently wrote an entire book ( The Truth War) premised on this verse. He makes a very compelling argument that the Christian has an obligation to stand for truth and against error.
Modesty in the organ of conviction is not a virtue; it is willful ignorance. And a willful ignorance on matters of faith is, in my view, a sinful ignorance.
(I believe this misplaced modesty is very much related to the postmodernization of the Church. I will post something on this soon.)
Jim,
You said:
“Modesty in the organ of conviction is not a virtue; it is willful ignorance. And a willful ignorance on matters of faith is, in my view, a sinful ignorance.”
I couldn’t agree more. I have observed that willful ignorance is often actually a form of spiritual laziness, involving personal choices. In the post modern church, there is a strong tendency to value emotional experience over knowledge, wisdom, and discernment. Therefore, a great many Christians run after the easy “feel good” type of religious training ( and I use that term, “training” tongue in cheek). They believe they are genuinely connecting to God when they cry a few tears on Sunday mornings, then go home and forget all it.
The post modern church, in recent years, has built it’s doctrine on programs to draw people into their congregations and keep them interested when they get there. Gone is the emphasis on good, sound, convicting preaching that used to be the rule in our pulpits- the honest kind us that made us actually think about what we were saying and doing. I’m talking about the kind of preaching and teaching that wasn’t afraid to identify sin and convict you of it - the kind that made you literally squirm in the pew, knowing deep down the preacher had your number. The kind of conviction that lasted, because it wouldn’t leave your conscience alone until you did something to make it right. It is harder and harder to find that kind of honesty even in conservative denominations any more.
We seem to be evolving into a culture of churches, and indivudual Christians, who value personal fulfillment of our wants, at the expense of conviction over the areas of our lives we most need to change. Our cultural truths may change from generation to generation. However, with the wealth of information we have instantly available nowadays, I can find no other excuse for willful ignorance in the Christian life, except spiritual laziness.
Jim,
I believe you are on to something here bud. I often wonder what is going on in today’s “Christian” church. I wonder why it is that today’s church finds it so hard to speak the “truth” with conviction like the apostles did in the scriptures. Were they a bunch of fire-breathing lunatics? Or were they simply telling unbelieving nations to change their ways? I fear that we are loving people to hell by our lack of action. Tolerance is a huge part in why we often feel like we are being judgmental.
We are so often told to “respect” the actions and lifestyles of others. Although it may be wrong for you, it is not wrong for everyone. There are no more absolutes in this pluralistic, tolerant society we have created for ourselves. Should we feel bad for calling sin, sin? Should we feel like we are not representing a true picture of Jesus Christ just because we don’t smile with the rest of the world and shrug our shoulders at a sinful world?
I’ve been listening to a lot of Way of the Master Radio at work and the picture that is painted of God the Father and God the Son is so far from the reality. I am amazed at how far from the truth today’s emerging church has brought us.
You amaze me brother, and I am happy to see how you continue to challenge yourself in your faith. Keep up the good work and I pray that God will reveal many great and wonderful things to you buddy!
God Bless You…
Jbone
BTW: We’re gonna have a baby!
Thanks Bone,
When is the little one due? I am very excited for you - fatherhood rocks!
Todd Friel used to be local here. He’s a stud. Way of the Master does a good job of presenting the gospel simply, yet unashamedly.
God Bless
Jason, Congratulations!
You said,
“I wonder why it is that today’s church finds it so hard to speak the “truth” with conviction like the apostles did in the scriptures. Were they a bunch of fire-breathing lunatics? Or were they simply telling unbelieving nations to change their ways? I fear that we are loving people to hell by our lack of action. Tolerance is a huge part in why we often feel like we are being judgmental.”
I have been on another blog trying to get some information regarding a particular “concept” that is being taught from this ministry. I originally asked my question on a thread where someone had asked if Yoga was ok?
I decide to get involved in the thread and answered the question with the word from Duet. 18:9-14. I was really answering alot of other peoples response. (By the way maybe many who read this site don’t agree with me and that is ok.) But the point was that I was accused of alienating those around me rather than building bridges so that God can “work out” His will and desires in their lives.
My response was “dear brother/sister” how can I alienate you when the Word itself says that the “truth will set you free”. It was as if I just wasn’t being politically correct. But I should have known better considering the ministry that this was blogging on.
Anyway, all that to say I agree with you.