Theology is important, I get that, however, some theology has become so important to people that it has become an idol. It reminds me of how people treated the Sabbath in Jesus’ day:
Mark 2:27 The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath.
Sabbath was important, but it became so important that it became an object of worship. Some theology is critically important … Soteriology, Pneumatology, and Eschatology all have a place in the believer’s playbook of belief, but there is other theology that I would question. Calvinism, Supercessionism, Cessationism, Prosperity, and Dominion Theologies, are all Biblically questionable and they have become more important than even the Lord Himself.
In my latter years, the Bible is all I need … theology can get confusing. I have even questioned the idea of denominationalism. I don’t want to start a war, but I have met pastors who think their denomination should have a book canonized into the Bible. I think there are some good things in most denominations, but sadly, Jesus said the world will know you by the love you have for one another, not how you market yourself as a specific brand of Christianity. Why all the proud denominations? We are proud to be Reformed, Lutheran, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Baptist, Methodist, Nazarene, Congregational, Evangelical Free, and on and on it goes. Most of these denominations are distinctive from one another by some of the doctrine they believe in and promote. Some say that is important, because there is a lot of error in the Body of Christ. Okay, I would agree, but are these denominations or theology-driven churches really getting at what the Gospel really teaches?
We define ourselves by what we believe. Whether it’s how many times you take communion, or the mode of baptism, or if you are spirit-filled or not, or if you preach the whole Bible … what matters is how we see theology. How we preach the Bible will be influenced by our theological views. For years in the Church few taught about the Holy Spirit as being a Person, a third part of the Trinity. In latter times now, He has become more prominent in our preaching and teaching. When I was younger, our denomination did not speak much about the Holy Spirit, even though we did acknowledge His Name. I realize not much can be done about our insistence to be distinguished from one another theologically, but I think it is important to acknowledge it is not that way in heaven. Jesus was concerned too about what we establish here on earth, because Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”I’m sure there are no denominations or theological debates in Heaven. We all get in through our belief that Jesus is the Son of God, and that He paid the price for our sin that keeps us from Heaven. No debates about that.
Recently, I watched a pastor trained in Reformed Theology make fun of Joel Osteen. He mocked him with humor much like Hollywood does when they roast a fellow celebrity. The laughing congregation and the pastor had a field day with Joel’s error of acknowledging Jesus on the Larry King Show. Now it was entertaining at the expense of Joel’s theology. I am not a fan of Joel, but I will not mock someone for their misguided theology. That congregation and pastor should be praying for Joel, not making fun of him. Where is that in the Bible? When are we called to make fun of someone we disagree with? Here is the conviction on this matter:
Galatians 6:1-3 Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.
I believe this pastor not only was in error in making fun of Joel, but he is also equally as bad as he thinks Joel Osteen is … by making fun of him. We are called to a higher standard in our understanding of God. One self-righteous Reformed Pastor (his theology) made a mockery of the Gospel by his presentation. I think instead of condemning people whose theology may be off, we need to try to befriend and come alongside that person to help them, not condemn them by calling them a heretic. Perhaps it won’t matter, but in God’s eyes, He is looking for men and women who go the extra mile in compassion for those who may have strayed from the faith.
Challenging the Culture with Truth … Larry Kutzler
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