Pragmatically, the conservative resurgence could be in trouble. The prevailing ethos of the day held by critics of the Southern Baptist Convention is that the modern conservatism of the SBC holds no specifically theological ideas –- only political ones -– which are not worthy of serious consideration by the thinking class. Could this be true? Many critics say the level of preaching by “conservative” preachers across the SBC all too easily resembles something between an Anthony Robbins self-help seminar and a used-car salesman peddling his latest deal.
I think he is right on. With preaching being mainly topical and Osteenish, men will continue to see the Gospel as a politcal tool to change laws or a self help guide to help us live our daily lives. The idea of Law and Gospel actually being preached, the idea that men are to have their sinfulness exposed by the preaching of the Law, the idea that theology even matters is completely foreign in a church that claims to believe in the inerrancy of Scripture.
Exegetically based theological moorings are needed to continue into the next century. With the rise of post-modernism, men will simply not be able to hear a gospel that looks and mirrors the religions of men. The shepherds of God's flock must return to sound exegetically based expositional preaching.
Without "Sempre Reformanda" we will continue to use teaching methods that implicitly teach people how to falsely interpret Scripture. The Bible is often used as a pretext. How often have we heard John 3:16 or 2 Peter 3:9 from our pulpits? Yet has anyone honestly ever heard an exposition of these texts? Aside from my own preaching, I can honestly say I have not.
Our preaching and teaching needs to always be exegetically based. In this way, perhaps God's people will intuitively learn how to read Scripture and to listen to the voice of her Shepherd.
For years now, the Jerry Falwells have been engaged politically. They are even now beginning to align themselves with Senator McCain. McCain is simply a politician who will say and do anything to become President. Why would conservatives kiss up to a man who has sought to destroy the First Amendment and to alienate religious conservatives from the public sphere? Why would they allow a man like McCain to speak at a Christian college's graduation ceremony is beyond my comprehension.
Then again, these are just symptoms of a church gone awry at the foundation.
2 comments:
Great exhortation. Yes, we need to be like the tree in Psalm 1:3, deeply rooted fast against any season that comes. Shallow politicality will only land us in the position of Psalm 1:4. Thanks for the encouragement.
I have to confess I'm not familiar with McCain. Why the strong reaction?
My strong reaction is due to the fact McCain and other Republicans have been destroying the very Constitution Conservative Christians have been electing them to restore.
For instance the McCain/Feingold Act is one of the worst laws ever passed in this nation. A great side effect is that the Democrats are now being controlled by left-wing groups. Thereby they are having to do what they want. Revealing who they truly are.
Nevertheless, what comes around goes around. That law violates the First Amendment. The voters are the ones who reform their legislators by voting them out, not some law that restricts my free speech.
For Falwell to cozy up to a man he thinks might be president is simply a symptom that politics is a method of salvation.
If the First Amendment was not being violated, Falwell could preach and the politicians would be merely influenced by the voice of a voting block that will vote according to their conscience.
Preaching normally treats the Bible as a Pretext. Some of the best pastors I know, almost never preach exegetically. Their sermons are full of quotes from the Bible, but never actually staying with the thought of the text itself.
With shallow preaching comes shallow conversions and shallow thinking being applied in politics. The conversations I have with the likes of Reformed Baptists as opposed to the average Christian is very striking.
As it stands, it seems to me that conservative leaders feel that the only voice they have in politics is to make political deals.
That is as bad when Democrats give a seat to the Jesse Jacksons at the table while giving the people they supposedly lead nothing.
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