Good Grief
This is nothing new. If I'm honest, I've been having issues with the Baptist Church for the better part of a decade.
Today's issue? This assumption that when I disagree with a teaching or an opinion of my church, I am "not enduring sound doctrine".
I've become a bit of a skeptic, I'll admit. I spent over 20 years pretty much buying whatever I was taught. I've had to unlearn a lot of legalism and let go of a lot of downright sinful ideas. So, whether it's a good thing or not, I take what I hear from my church and my denomination with a hefty grain of salt. It's good in the sense that it makes me search diligently through the Scriptures for answers. It's bad in the sense that I have a hard time trusting my brothers.
And it doesn't help that there seems to be a whole lot of guilt flowing around for people who question. This is probably just my perception, but have you ever felt like the sermon is aimed directly at you? And not in a "Wow, I needed to hear that" way, but rather an "Are they picking on me?" way. Lately it seems like every sermon, lesson, and conversation is preceded by "this is God's opinion, not mine." Which makes me feel like a wretched sinner when I'm a bit wary of what I hear.
Am I just rebellious? Should I just swallow the teachings I disagree with? Should I accept the party line and the prevalent interpretation of certain Scriptures?
Or do I speak up at the risk of being "a dissenter"? Am I allowed to converse about my own convictions with my brethren? Will I be seen as hostile even if I'm gentle in my delivery?
I'm not really in the mood to be judged right now.
I kinda get the feeling that my parents' generation never questioned what they heard. I can understand how in the sixties, the church tightened it's belt and got firm on certain issues when the culture of the time was letting loose. The youth of the day were frightened by the changes in society and sought refuge in the rules and feeling secure with their clean consciences.
But in their obedience, I'm afraid they believed a lot of false doctrine.
And now when it's questioned, they get defensive.
Which I guess I can understand. I mean, I'm the same way when I'm questioned.
Sheesh, my head hurts from all the thinking. Here's to two incoherent blog posts in a row! I need some chocolate.
Comments
So, yes, find out the answers for yourself. Investigate, question, search...it's what God tells us to do. Anyone that says to just listen to them and follow them blindly, really is a Baptist, and not a good Christian.
God wants us to test him (I think that is in Romans 12 or something). Do it and be more free in your faith after it.
As a side note, you thought about leaving the church for someplace different?
we have thought about looking around, but neither of us have a peace about that at this point. it's not really doctrinal, fundamental things i disagree with, it's all the little baptist "hot buttons" that give me pause. and we have such a love for the people here. it's just been brought to the forefront lately b/c we're working closely with others on certain things. remember that conversation we had in beth's parents' kitchen when you guys were visiting? we totally see your point now, if you get my drift.
but i am in no way "dedicated" to being a baptist till i die. i actually think denominational lines are rather unscriptural.
just venting my frustrations. the Holy Spirit hasn't given us freedom to leave (yet) and our church hasn't given us freedom to disagree (yet). so we shall see.
A guy did a study on teens and religion, and he found that the main "religion" of teens of any religious background was "Moralistic Therapeutic Deism." Basically put, teens tend towards thinking that God exists, but doesn't engage with us much. God wants us to be happy and feel good. And ultimately, we need to be good people.
The thing they're missing is a Savior, and that we're wretched sinners apart from God (whether we're doing "good" or being outright "bad").
In order to make up for our "badness," we make up rules to help us look better and display to people that we're better than what we are. We make rules on tithing (and of course, we have to give all of that to the local church), how we dress, not having tattoos, never taking a drink of alcohol, praying with thee's and thou's, etc.
But, in reality, I know that I have my own rules in my life, too. I'm always too often sowing fig leaves for myself - when I constantly need to be exchanging that for the garment of Christ's righteousness.
Something Tracy tells me when I get frustrated in ministry is, "They need you here. If you don't tell them this, who will?" I know that God can use someone else, but God has placed me where I'm at for a reason. Maybe Tracy's encouragement will give you encouragement, too.
seth and i sorta feel like that right now. like we're here for a purpose. maybe to encourage others to think more deeply about what they hear from the pulpit. i just personally struggle with constantly being afraid i am sinning and causing others to sin by stirring up trouble somehow.
but more than a church change, i would definitely rather see hearts change, mine included!
Sorry, where was I? Oh yeah. Legalism and disagreeing. It's people like Dottie that make me wary about questioning what I have been taught all my life from behind the pulpit. Also, I came from a family that was VERY strong 5 point Calvinist. It was almost 6 point, and I was taught that anyone who didn't believe in all 5 points were deceivers and in Satan's service. So it's very hard for me to actually converse with someone who isn't necessarily 5 point..uh my wife and her family for example...and not come down on them when the topic is discussed. Luckily, it hardly ever does.
So, I see what you mean when it comes to testing or questioning what we believe. It's at those times that I turn to God's word. I agree with you, Nate, that the ability to test and analyze our faith is a beautiful thing. That's what I keep telling people who think that I'm catholic. I'm not catholic. Mainly because I read God's word for myself and don't rely on some minister or some church official to tell me what to believe. I think a lot of Baptist churches are more like Catholic churches than they would like to admit. Woah..did I just say that?
By the way, I could write a book on my legalistic church. Good grief is right.
I got choked up (and still am) after reading this post. Not sure why. Maybe because of my recent situation and being so thankful for Maranatha and wanting & hoping everything to be perfect for a while. I know there are "issues" everywhere but I just wanted to be naive to them for a bit.
I DO agree with you about denominational lines.
One thing I can say I learned from the closing of my church and the way it "went down" is to never be afraid, no matter what your age or the people involved, to speak up. If I had had the courage to speak up a few years ago to those I respected and held high and just dealt with the way I knew they would respond in the moment, we could have saved ourself a lot of heartache that still continues. Speak up.
And don't worry about being guilted. It will happen. Of course it will. But if you feel the Lord has something for you to say then no guilt should stop you. He will help you and He will keep you strong.