THOUGHTS ON THE EMERGING CHURCH #3

As I have been trying to say, the problem isn’t with the Bible or with Bible study. The problem is with the way in which the Bible is used and abused to make and defend theological positions, with the idolatrous level to which theology and theological correctness has been raised in certain portions of the church and with the repulsive festering wounds of division which have for centuries characterized the church which are rooted and grounded not in love but this idolatrous allegiance to theological correctness, conservative and liberal alike.

It is these festering wounds of division which bring great heartache to many within the church who long to see loved ones come to the faith but know that they are repulsed not by Jesus or by the Gospel message but by the abhorrent, dysfunctional infighting within the church over theological interpretations. I believe your statement earlier in our conversation was, "we can't kill truth in the streets for the sake of peace." This is tragically a place where Paul’s criticism of the church in Rome would equally apply, “The name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of you.”

It is thus with grievously heavy hearts that many in the church today are finding it necessary to walk away from not the Bible or Bible study but from this divisive theological infighting in order that as they seek to walk in love with one another and with those outside of the community of faith in order that the great commandment of God might be fulfilled, for to love is the fulfillment of the law.