"Since the 1960s, we have experienced an evolution in what we expect a local church pastor to be. FORTY YEARS AGO HE WAS EXPECTED TO BE A RESIDENT AUTHORITY ON THEOLOGY AND BIBLICAL TEACHING. Slowly this gave way to a model of the pastor as the CEO of the church, the administrative and organizational leader. Today the ministers we want are Christianized pop therapists who are entertaining to listen to." (emphases mine) - J.P. Moreland, Love Your God With All Your Mind - The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul, ch.10, pg.188-189
The anti-intellectualism that pervades most of evangelical Christianity today is lamentable. The average church-goer sees church as primarily a place for emotional stroking, perhaps a few laughs interspersed in between, good music and entertainment, and shallow socialization---a condition that is perpetuated by the pastor's willingness to pander to these whims. Whereas theological erudition was a key prerequisite to pastoral leadership in past times, charisma, a sense of humor, rhetorics and playing the crowd are all that's needed these days to qualify one as an overseer of God's people. It goes without saying that reform is badly needed.
Reform? But how? It must start with the realization of the truth that every form of devotion to God begins in the INTELLECT. One must first of all value truth in order for progress in the Christian life to ensue. Nowadays, EMOTIONALISM has taken the place of primacy in the Christian's mode of approaching the living of the Christ life. This is a perversion. One's emotions must be informed by truth for it to be sound, and not the other way around.
It's about time for the Church to once again send out THINKERS in the global marketplace of ideas, contending for the sole spot that the Christian worldview must occupy in the minds and hearts of people. The truth must be---and will be---known.
Mt 22:37
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Joh 8:32
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Joh 16:13
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.
1Jo 3:19
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
Joh 14:6
Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind."
ReplyDeleteElevating or emphasizing one aspect ~ heart ~ at the expense of another ~ mind ~ is not the way to love the Lord, thy God. HE wants all of me ~ heart, soul and mind. I appreciate your comments. Because I am an emotional being, and in the natural am given to what you would probably call 'emotionalism' at times, I do appreciate a shepherd who leads me to examine my emotions in the light of God's Word - His Truth.
Just wondering why I can't find anything about the author of this blog. Am I looking in the wrong place??
Hello, Ma'am,
ReplyDeleteThank you for taking the time to comment on my blog.
I am the one who writes the content of this blog unless otherwise noted, as in quotes, article reproductions, etc.
May the Lord prosper you.