'On babies and bathwater: I don’t need to give my respect to men of dubious character or qualification “because they make a valuable contribution to the conversation.” I can throw out their baby with their bathwater because that same baby can be found in cleaner water elsewhere.'
From David Kjos, the Thirsty Theologian. Check out his other observations regarding truth.
Very interesting quote, Persis. I was just talking with someone about this the other day. I understand the dubious character part, but it seems that many Reformed throw out much, too, that Godly men are saying because they've erred in one thing or they've quoted someone, etc. For example....don't read Piper because he associates with Rick Warren. Or don't read this guy because he quotes a "mystic." Bernard of Clairveaux is on the "watch" list of different discernment ministries, and yet we sing his hymns in church. Challies mentioned before the "common grace" found even in the writings of the heathen, and I wonder how that applies to other Christians with whom we don't agree on everything. Would love to hear your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI don't agree with the camp who have thrown out their PIper books because of Rick Warren. However, I am not going to read Warren just because PIper says he's okay. In fact, I probably won't read Warren at all because I can find whatever his "baby" may be in books without all the pragmatism bath water.
ReplyDeleteBut look at The Shack phenomena. Even with all its glaring heresies, professing Bible believing Christians are raving over it. With the Rob Bell brouhaha, so many people were bending over backwards to give him slack over his unorthodoxy.
I guess this boils down to discernment. We can err on the side of shunning everyone whose 3rd cousin's hairdresser has glanced at a book by a catholic mystic. But at the same time we have to be careful. We can say we're chewing the meat and spitting out the bones, but are we unwittingly being influenced by the "bones"? Maybe we have to look hard at the bones and decide whether these are nonnegotiable points of the Christian faith. All this requires critical thinking on the part of the believer in light of the whole counsel of Scripture, which sadly most don't do.
@Trisha:
ReplyDeleteI actually have a post in the works on this because I've wondered about how far one goes with something like this.
For some reason I can't leave a comment on your blog, but I wanted to let you know I'm praying for your mom.
Persis,
ReplyDeleteI think I have the comment issue fixed. Blogger is so crazy these days. :)
I've been working on a post, too! Aha...great minds..:)
I do feel like I'm in the outfield on this issue, so I appreciate your grace, and I completely get your reply to my question. I have no interest in reading Warren, either and The Shack is so clearly heresy that I don't understand why Christians don't see that. But when I look on some of these discerning sites, I'm bothered by an attitude that seems more akin to a witch hunt.
Thank you so much for praying for my Mom. She's on the edge of despair, so your prayers are a very welcome gift!!
I totally agree with this statement Persis. And I also agree with your comment re Piper. I think Christians need to exercise much more patience with one another when we disagree than some are willing to.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when someone is an out and out heretic, then quoting them can easily give an appearance of credence and indorsement.
Good thought sister!
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