Thursday, January 17, 2008
Being A Mongrel
Dan Edelen writes about being a Christian mongrel:
I have met many wonderful charismatic individuals in my life. I also believe in the charismata, though I personally have little experience of them. However, when the charismatic approach is institutionalized in the form of denominations such as the Four-Square or the A.G., I find little but mischief to result. It is my understanding that some of the newer organizations that exercise the gifts, but hold tight to reformed theology do not have the problems of these groups, but I have no experience with those denominations.
But what has come of groups like Four-Square and A.G. besides hucksterism and sadly, some real, sincere damaged lives? The authoritarianism built into such systems, the cult of personality on which their congregation thrive is a recipe for problems.
My point here is one that is implicit in Dan's post. It is reasonable and good to hold to the best traditions and ideas of various denominations, but we need to let go of the rest of it. There is only trouble in there.
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Dan's post is not a call to ecumenism, but it is a call to set aside much of the pettiness that marks much inter-denominational rhetoric. He is somewhat specific about my pet-peeve:
- From the Lutherans, I learned about Jesus (for the first time), grace, and the priesthood of all believers.
- From the Assemblies of God, I learned about the power of the Holy Spirit for service.
- From the Presbyterians, I learned about the authority of the Scriptures.
- From the Disciples of Christ, I learned about holiness.
- From the Methodists, I learned about fellowship.
- From the Evangelical Free Church, I learned about the necessity of a Christian worldview.
- From the Vineyard, I learned about evangelism through service and how to listen to the Holy Spirit.
- From the Pentecostals, I am learning the depth and breadth of what Christ did for me through the cross and what that means for how I view myself and others.
If this makes me a “mongrel in the Faith,” then I’m a mongrel. In defense of mongrels, I’ll say this much: we aren’t prone to genetic diseases that afflict the purebreds, and we’re certainly not inbred to the point of weakness.
As someone coming from a charismatic perspective, it always hurts to see fellow believers absolutely foam at the mouth and lash out with every verbal weapon they possess when it comes to the whole issue of the charismata working today. The worst part of that is the anger and accusations get leveled at people as opposed to ideas.I share Dan's loathing for aiming argument at people, but I will not stop with ideas - I have real beefs with institutions. Since Dan brought up the charismatics, let's go there, although I will preface this by saying I have huge beefs with my very own PC(USA) as an institution.
I have met many wonderful charismatic individuals in my life. I also believe in the charismata, though I personally have little experience of them. However, when the charismatic approach is institutionalized in the form of denominations such as the Four-Square or the A.G., I find little but mischief to result. It is my understanding that some of the newer organizations that exercise the gifts, but hold tight to reformed theology do not have the problems of these groups, but I have no experience with those denominations.
But what has come of groups like Four-Square and A.G. besides hucksterism and sadly, some real, sincere damaged lives? The authoritarianism built into such systems, the cult of personality on which their congregation thrive is a recipe for problems.
My point here is one that is implicit in Dan's post. It is reasonable and good to hold to the best traditions and ideas of various denominations, but we need to let go of the rest of it. There is only trouble in there.
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