If you've read this blog for any amount of time, you'll see that I've spent a fair amount of time discussing the ARP/Erskine issue. What I'm about to write is related to that issue, but has much wider application, in my opinion.
First, a little background about myself. I grew up in the Reformed Church, but not the ARP. As a matter of fact, I've only been a member of an ARP congregation for about three years now. I love my church, and I love the ARP. But, I've noticed that there is a tendency in the ARP to boast about how long you've been in the denomination or for how many generations you're family has been in the ARP. Phrases like "I'm a seventh generation ARPer" or "My granddaddy taught at Erskine" have been thrown around a lot during this whole debacle. Even outside observers have noticed it.
To be fair, this isn't a problem unique to the ARP. I've seen it before in local congregations. I've been at congregational business meetings where members of the church have said things like "I built this church with my own hands" or "I am a founding member of this congregation." I'm sure many of you have experienced similar sentiments.
I want to point out exactly how dangerous statements and feelings like this are. First of all, our boasting is supposed to be in Christ, not in our own age/pedigree/heritage. That several generations of one's family have been faithful to a particular denomination or congregation doesn't matter one bit in the grand scheme of things. Do you really think Christ will be interested in what your great-great-grandfather did when He returns in judgment? If not, then why bring it up in a church business meeting, whether it be a congregational meeting, a presbytery, a synod or a general assembly meeting? Is there biblical warrant for it? No, there isn't which means it is irrelevant to the business of the church.
Second, this view seeks to raise up one man over another so to make us respecters of men. To state that your family has been in a denomination for several generations is to implicitly state that your opinion is more valuable than the person who has only recently joined the church/denomination. But, guess what? When it comes time to vote, both men only get one vote. They are equal at the ballot box. Of course, equality at the ballot box should not be our motivation for humility, but it does show just how foolish it is for one man to boast about his heritage when in fact that heritage doesn't matter one bit when it comes time to decide an issue.
Third, this view disenfranchises new-comers and is damaging to the growth of the church. Churches do not (or at least, should not) have different classes of members: old and new (see Luke 22:26 for our Lord's view of age in relation to places of honor). We are all equal in Christ, whether you grew up in the church or whether you are a brand new member. But, new members (or visitors) who come to a church where such attitudes are present will not be welcomed. Even if they are greeted, even if they are invited over for Sunday dinner, even if they end up joining the church, they are not truly considered a part of the church--they never breach that "inner circle". Despite all the outward niceties, when push comes to shove (which regrettably happens all too often in church politics), the true colors will come out, and those who are newer members of the church will be labeled as "newcomers", "carpetbaggers", "those who only want to change they way things have always been." Are such attitudes healthy? Will they encourage the unity of the saints and the growth of Christ's kingdom? Of course they will not. Paul's words to the Church in Philippi apply so well to this situation: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Phillippians 2:3)
I'm sure there will be more talk in the ARP about how a particular member, elder, or minister has been in the denomination for generations, and I'm sure we will continue to encounter similar attitudes in our local churches. But, I hope we will all be able to see these attitudes for exactly what they are: boasting, prideful, and lacking the humility that accompanies a servant of Christ.
I guess you heard the latest news that the judge ruled in favor of those who sued to block the ARP General Assembly's actions.
ReplyDeleteVery bad news, IMHO.
Pastor Carpenter: I've heard the rumor. I'm still waiting for it to be confirmed. If true, it is in deed bad news, but also marks only the beginning of a long legal battle.
ReplyDeletePlease keep praying for us all.
"But, new members (or visitors) who come to a church where such attitudes are present will not be welcomed. Even if they are greeted, even if they are invited over for Sunday dinner, even if they end up joining the church, they are not truly considered a part of the church--they never breach that "inner circle". Despite all the outward niceties, when push comes to shove (which regrettably happens all too often in church politics), the true colors will come out, and those who are newer members of the church will be labeled as "newcomers", "carpetbaggers", "those who only want to change they way things have always been." Are such attitudes healthy? Will they encourage the unity of the saints and the growth of Christ's kingdom? Of course they will not. Paul's words to the Church in Philippi apply so well to this situation: "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Phillippians 2:3)"
ReplyDeleteYou have contradicted your whole statement and are certainly not encouraging the growth of the kingdom and the unity of the saints. Your crap is some of the most arrogant "mumbo-jumbo" that I have ever heard. You certainly are "boasting, prideful, and lacking the humility that accompanies a servant of Christ." How can you not see that--read your own statements. Sorry if I am saying too much "Barthian mumbo-jumbo," but I can't help respond to your narrow "fundamentalist mumbo-jumbo." You most likely have not even read Barth and think that for some reason Van Til is a reliable Barth scholar, which he is not. In fact the problem is that innerrancy produces a low view of scripture and certainly the work of the Spirit. What are you afraid of? Maybe your faith just isn't strong enough. Your witch hunt makes me sick! You should be ashamed of yourself. If there is anyone who is aiding in the division of the Church it is certainly not Dr. Richard Burnett. If Erskine's view of scripture is messed up, which it is not, than your ethics are inconsistent with scripture. How does your stance fall in line with the sermon on the mount or the character of Christ? You certainly don't take Paul's exhortation to build up the Church seriously. Your stance is exactly why people don't like Christians. The funny thing is that you will never learn, you will never listen to anyone else, and you will never have enough humility to re-evaluate your theology. It's sad! Have some lowliness and esteem others as better than oneself (Phil.2:3). Take a second and listen to our "Barthian mumbo-jumbo," or better yet read Barth and maybe it will enlighten you to his high view of scripture, insurmountably high view of Christ, and his robust view of the Spirit's work in individuals and the Christian community. At least read something that goes against your grain--maybe it will help cease the perpetuation of your narrowness.
"At least read something that goes against your grain..."
ReplyDeleteI think I just did!
Andrew: Just a couple of quick thoughts. First, do you get marked down for calling opposing views "crap" at Fuller? Or is that encouraged?
ReplyDeleteSecond, I've heard Van Til be accused of a lot of things, but a lack of scholarship has never been one of them. That one is new to me, so thanks for giving me something to read that goes against my grain.