Here is an article discussing what I'm seeing in college students who come from evangelical homes:
Author: More teens becoming 'fake' Christians
The article intimates that those who come from evangelical backgrounds are better grounded in their faith, but that's not what I'm seeing on campuses here in Greensboro, NC. Frankly, when it comes to content, most of the time I really can't tell much difference between the kid that grew up in a theologically liberal UMC versus one that has an SBC background.
Off topic, but what churches do you recommend in Greensboro, NC?
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to say that we are the only Baptistic Calvinistic church that I can recommend. Our city is full of theological liberalism, Word of Faith garbage, and seeker-sensitive, market-driven nonsense.
ReplyDeleteThere are several faithful churches in neighboring cities (Winston-Salem, Burlington) with doctrinally sound elders and ministries, but there's not much else here in Greensboro that I'm aware of.
Our church website is www.graceinthetriad.com
Thanks, Dustin. The article makes a lot of good points. This is a complicated subject that can be approached from many angles.
ReplyDeleteOne approach that I find helpful is to ask what people are doing in other areas of life and what we expect of them in those other contexts. As the article mentions, many people who have a lot to say about a subject like sex or money have much less to say about something like theology or church history. If a church wants to know what their children and older attendees are capable of, they ought to look at what those people do in school, the workplace, and other settings. If they can be taught subjects like chemistry, algebra, and American history while they’re teenagers or younger, then why can’t they be taught subjects like theology and church history at a higher level than most parents and churches attempt?
Another problem is time management. As the article notes, what children see their parents doing is significant. If the parents spend so much of their time doing unnecessary housework, following sports, watching television, etc., and those parents show so little interest in things like evangelism and church history, what impression are their children likely to come away with? The issue isn’t just what the Bible permits in terms of time management. Something that’s permissible isn’t always the best option, and what’s generally permissible may not be permissible in unusual circumstances. Given the state of our society, how should we spend our time? Even if scripture doesn’t require you to spend your time in a particular way, why only ask what’s required? Why not give up time you’d normally spend one way and spend it in another way instead? While legalism would be a potential danger to take into consideration, the vast majority of people are much closer to the other end of the spectrum. Legalism isn’t much of a danger.
Think of how much would change if people even knew, say, one tenth as much about the Bible and church history as they know about subjects like sex, politics, and sports? What if they spent even half as much time in prayer, studying philosophy, or studying theology as they spend watching television or going to garage sales and arts and crafts fairs?
As you believe a person is saved through a Divine intervention on the part of God (and not through their own personal choice), do you believe God also gives a person (in addition to "saving faith") a deep knowledge of Scripture and the truths of the Bible that does not require consulting other Christians or theologians?
ReplyDeleteIOW: do you believe God saves someone but ever leaves them theologically ignorant?
I realize you limited your consideration to churches that observe believer's baptism, but what about Summer Oaks Presbyterian (PCA) in Greensboro?
ReplyDeleteJames,
ReplyDelete"As you believe a person is saved through a Divine intervention on the part of God (and not through their own personal choice). . ."
This is a false dichotomy. Orthodox Calvinists believe that God sovereignly intervenes and the people make a genuine choice to repent and believe on Christ because their hearts have been regenerated prior to the exercise of faith/repentance.
"IOW: do you believe God saves someone but ever leaves them theologically ignorant?"
If you mean ignorant to the basic gospel message, then no. If people have not come into contact with the basic gospel message they can't be converted (cf. Rom. 10:17; 1 Peter 1:23-25). If they don't have a minimal requisite knowledge they cannot be Christians.
If you mean that God saves people and leaves them ignorant of detailed and involved theological concepts like infralapsarian vs. supralapsarian debates, then yes.
Ken,
I have no heard of Summer Oaks PCA. This is why I said, ". . . but there's not much else here in Greensboro that I'm aware of."
I will say this, I have not been impressed with what I have heard from the PCA churches that I *am* familiar with in this area.
Hi brother Jason,
ReplyDeleteYou noted, Think of how much would change if people even knew, say, one tenth as much about the Bible and church history as they know about subjects like sex, politics, and sports? What if they spent even half as much time in prayer, studying philosophy, or studying theology as they spend watching television or going to garage sales and arts and crafts fairs?"
Indeed. However, I've found as a pastor, your people are what they "eat". If they are fed a steady diet of nonsense from their pulpits they are going to evidence that throughout the week in their lives. You also will fill the pews with false converts. Most of the problems we've faced as a new church are those who "creep in unawares" who can say and do the right things for a time, then the true colors start shining through. I really believe that most of the problems churches face today are the result of primarily one thing: false converts.
Regenerate people not only respond to the gospel but they get spiritually hungry and seek out good teaching to get a good "feeding". Most other folks are interested in only the mundane things you mentioned because goats choke on sheep food. Of course, this doesn't mean a Christian can't participate in those things per se, but if they are true believers and are fed well, they bear their cross for Christ and follow him.
I'd recommend all of you read this article: http://idsaudio.org/ids/pdf/applied/love.pdf
Part of the problem is the lack of normalization of Bible study in the homes of Christians. Too often, the TV is on while people go about their routines at the house. With my wife working virtually full-time as the local CEF ministry coordinator, this season marks the first year we are not homeschooling and a pattern is developing that is disturbing. The school is good, but the homework leaves little time for the Bible reading I have tried to normalize as part of our daily routine. I have no doubt we will find our balance, but I can't see it happening without having to be very intentional about it.
ReplyDeleteMy church has an incredible teaching ministry. Many of our members have been to seminary or have other such training and experience in ministry. We have so many teachers that teachers almost have to compete to be able to teach and what is offered borders on the level of graduate studies. We'd be theologically overweight if we didn't also turn around and pursue the great commission with equal fervor.
However, despite all this I still can't use many theological terms and references without someone saying, "Speak English." So the work of teaching never quite seems to be done. And, again, it takes effort and preparation. People can't teach their kids what they haven't learned themselves, and they won't learn it if they don't apply themselves to the study of the scriptures and engage in the theological discourse in the classrooms of their church. Unfortunately, that sounds too much like work to too many people and not enough like the pursuit of a passion for knowing our Lord and for making him known.