Spirit of the Age

[mikew]

I have been expecting big changes in the church and maybe the world since about 2003. In a sense I expect a new reformation, a change of that magnitude or greater. For how can we be so bold to think that we have had everything figured out perfectly?

And that's the problem that I have seen... namely that scripture was not understood as clearly as I thought when first becoming a believer (back in 1981). Part of the problem at that time was that I was in a "New Testament Church" yet when I read the scriptures I couldn't match the ideas of the epistles with what was done in church meetings. So my search of scriptures regarding the nature of the church began.

Also, in reading Romans, I discovered that the main issue addressed by Paul was the anti-Jewish attitude of the Roman believers. Once I saw this, then I checked on the internet and found that this idea was largely misunderstood for the first 2000 years, at least in scholarship -- I mean as a matter found in books on Romans.

Comes today, the emergent church has become part of the culture. A big aspect of this movement has been to explore the Bible afresh. This movement in part acts as an apparent threat to orthodoxy. But on the other hand we should realize that nothing is a surprise to God -- that He knew how scripture could and would be interpreted. So we ought to be a little concerned and careful about the emerging church but this idea of doublechecking our doctrines may be the current need within the church.

It seems that the spirit of the age may be one of examing our doctrines. The emergent church may simply be a reflection of that spirit, or tendency. Again, with the idea that events and trends don't surprise God but that He uses them according to His will, it is not a problem that we should explore our doctrines and see whether they fit scripture. Yet the proverbs warn us not to follow a man given to change. Though a correction of doctrine doesn't mean that someone is given to change. In this light also, the exploration of scripture anew should still be where we have one foot on land (orthodoxy) and one foot in the water (asking questions, exploring). The lack of this connection to orthodoxy would suggest that someone is trying to have all knowledge by himself -- but mankind isn't designed this way.

Anyhow, this is in part an explanation of my view and my efforts as they have emerged over time. The problems all started in my first church experience where they told me that the Bible has supremacy and should be followed over and against man's doctrine -- isn't that a cruel thing to teach a new believer?

[livingink]

Could you elaborate on your last sentence a bit?

[mikew]

My last paragraph basically was a bit of a grudge about that first church being so emphatic about being a New Testament Church and hence they were teaching to follow the scripture. Yet at the same time they still promoted doctrine not found in scripture.

Then I was saying that it was cruel cause it is a life sentence to figure out what the scriptures really says in contrast to the doctrines being taught so often. But I'm actually joking about saying how cruel it is since I think I am where God wants me. God wanted me for the task of digesting scriptures. I cannot attest to the accuracy of my studies and conclusions though I would certainly defend much of what I found.

So this is how I was set in motion as a believer and has become much of my focus. You now have seen the longer description of what I meant.

[livingink]

Yes, thank you for posting that.