Reverse-engineering theology

[This is an edited version of an article I'm hoping to get published in a Christian e-zine]

When it comes to theological disputes, I'm in an interesting position as an Aussie Baptist. Unlike US Baptists, who seem to split over each and every point of difference, Australians have taken a more “live and let live” approach and simply prefer not to talk theology at all. That way we can affirm contradictory positions:

We believe in the gifts of the Spirit (thank you, charismatics) but don’t like to practice them (please make yourselves at home, Anglicans and Presbyterians).

We straddle the fence between Calvinism and Arminianism somehow - probably by not even knowing what either word means.

We allow women in leadership, but only in children or youth ministry.

We no longer make a fuss about drinking or dancing, although you won't catch your pastor doing either.

So do any of these debates actually matter? Given that our reason is always going to be flawed as fallen humans, there cannot be such a thing as True Theology for believers. I'm not saying there is no Absolute Truth, just that we can't be certain that we know what it is. Still, we can approach it through the gifts of scripture and the Holy Spirit; cautiously, humbly and with a searching and open heart.

As Paul says in 1 Corninthians 13 – “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.” God isn't so hung up on whether we are right but whether we are righteous: that we live as Jesus lived, in love and in reliance on God. There is no written test for entry to Heaven (to the best of my knowledge!)

So I end up with the search for a theology that leads to Christ-like behaviour:

If your belief that people are "elected" to be saved leads you to abandon mission and evangelism (modelled by Jesus) or to exclude people who aren't "chosen" then it is useless to you.

If your belief in God's providence and involvement in this world means that you don't care about the plight of the poor or the oppressed (because it's all part of God's plan), you've missed the point.

If your belief in the power of Jesus' death leads you towards a complacent faith in which everyone is automatically saved, then you're taking a big risk.

If your belief in the gifts of tongues and prophecy allows you to serve other Christians and reach those that are not, then that's great. However, if it leads you into an exclusive club of believers marked by external signs, then you are way off base.

Obviously our theology needs to be based on scripture (beliefs that come from tradition or personal experience without biblical support are immediately suspect). But in the areas in which we simply cannot know the truth we should not let a belief reduce our ability to live as Christ lived – to love the lost, to boldly preach forgiveness for sins and reconciliation with God, to create genuine community and to be used by God through His divine plan.

Categories: Gospel