A Weak Foundation

Every professor or pastor who has ever taught theology is faced with this same question. “Why do I need to know theology if I am not called to be a pastor or missionary?” It is true that an intense study of theology in a college or seminary is normally reserved for those called to full time christian work. And theology can be very hard for those who have not studied it to understand. But that in no way means that the lay people in churches don't need to know theology.

Today the need for teaching theology is greater than ever before. This is because much of what is done in the church is based upon an incorrect theology. Since I am beginning a teaching ministry in local baptist churches I decided to start reading books on church ministry. The books that I read were written by pastors of what would be called mega churches in the United States. What I found as I read those books was that these pastors had very good methods of ministering in the church. But their theology was horribly wrong.

In a post directly below this one I tell the story of a pastor who realized he was trying to achieve the worlds view of success. His challenge was to pursue what God calls success instead. That story spoke to me and impacted my life. Sadly the theology that is found in the rest of his book is totally wrong. He has good stories and methods, but they are built upon a wrong theology.

His whole view of doctrinal truth is based upon the fact that, “the bible is open ended”.1 Instead of coming to God to teach us his truth through the illumination of the Holy Spirit we rely upon our emotions. Feelings and the arguments of others decide what God is saying instead of Scripture.

Some people may not feel that this view is important. But it opens the door for all kinds of other wrong beliefs. Like referring to interpreting the Bible literally as, “warped and toxic.”2 Or we should not confront sinners or believers about their sin.3 Or that since all things are reconciled to God (Colossians 1:20) there is no such thing as saved or unsaved people.4 Or that there is no such place as real Heaven or Hell. Hell instead is, “living out of sync with how God created us to live.”5 So that means the aids crisis in Rowanda is the true meaning of Hell.6 Therefore we can bring Heaven on earth by curing the social ills of our society.7 And because of that litter and pollution are two of the biggest sins we could ever commit against God.8

The book that I am referring to in this post, and the one directly below it symbolizes many church ministries today. They have Godly goals and methods (Death to Superpastor) but the theological foundation the ministry is built upon is very weak. Today more than ever before we must be discerning of the theological beliefs held by the ministries we are involved in. And discernment can only come by having an understanding of theology.

1Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.46, par.3, ln.1
2Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.53, par.5, ln.2
3Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.138, par.8, ln.1
4Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.146, par.5
5Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.147, par.2, ln.2
6Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.147, par.6
7Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.148, par.5
8Rob Bell, Velvet Elvis, pg.158, par.3