But something came to mind that I have not seen talked about much in this discussion. It's the fact that we are are so desperately tribal. Now of course this can be a good thing. None of us can escape it. We are built for community and from the creation account in Genesis we learn that "it is not good for man to be alone." Community most naturally happens around shared view, interests, and beliefs.
But this fact comes into a clearer light when a high profile leader comes out with something controversial, heretical, or just plain dumb. You'll have a certain group of people who are very quick to be defensive and you have another set of people who are very quick to rejoice and assume the worst. We like our teams and when someone from the other team falls it can be a source of much pride. In my heart I know I am guilty of this.
I also see the intensity of my tribal nature if I imagine John Piper saying something really stupid or having some sort of theological meltdown or moral failure. I would be crushed. No one single man has had more of an influence on my life and ministry than him. I would be quick to be defensive and also eager to ask people to "just hold on a bit" and would probably fight to believe the best of the situation. But at it's core the comfort of my theological tribe would be crumbling and that would be quite unsettling.
It strikes me even now as I write that in the opening statement above I needed to point out that I am aligning myself with JT, Josh Harris, KD, and Denny Burk. That was simply instinctual. I didn't even think about it until now. Do I do that because I want to make sure that those guys and all the people that follow them know that I am "in" as well? "I am on the right team! Just wanted to make sure you guys know that!" And on and on...
All this forces me to ask, "where is my ultimate allegiance?"
These issue are not new. Have you ever read 1 Cor. 3:1-10?
[3:1] But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. [2] I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, [3] for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? [4] For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?
[5] What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. [6] I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. [7] So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. [8] He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. [9] For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.
Aligning ourselves to men rather than God is reflective of our tendency towards idolatry, pride, and self-preservation. Do we follow God or Rob Bell? Do we follow God or John Piper? Do we follow God or Tim Keller? And the list goes on and on.
Rob Bell, love him or hate him, either way, our response to yesterday's news should be appropriately reflective of an ultimate allegiance to God. We shouldn't be TOO disappointed (this demonstrates idolatry) or TOO elated (this demonstrates pride) or TOO dismissive (this demonstrates self-centeredness).
In the Twitter, FB, and blog firestorm that took place yesterday (and is sure to continue) may we be reminded that our ultimate allegiance is to the Triune God and his Word alone. That doesn't mean we shouldn't have tribes, coalitions, networks and read lots of books by really gifted people. It just means that we need to remind ourselves where the priorities are and where the emphasis should lie. Unless we are aware of our endless tendency to make good things God things (and any man a GodMan), we are asking for severe disappointment when our idols fail us.
10 comments:
Loved the insights Zach! Definitely easy to lose your head in the midst of the firestorm over this weekend.
Those who picked up rocks with which to stone the woman caught in adultery did so in the heat of the moment. What they didn't take much time to consider was the state of their own souls.
This is always the lesson we need to learn.
Wow - this is really good and revealing. I'm not even speaking of the present controversy that frames your observation.
Often our allegiances are more to our tribe than anything else. And where our tribe, or our tribe's perspective is threatened, we circle the wagons.
Good stuff, Zack.
I am saddened by this whole situation and the intensified intra-evangelical polarization that will likely ensue.
This is a great word. Thanks Zach.
I have enjoyed the Nooma series and Bell's books, Velvet Elvis and Sex God. There is SOME stuff in there that rings true for me. That being said, the friend that introduced me to his writing and I both know to test everything against scripture. The bible instructs us to do this. I will tell you that the intro video for the new book leads me to believe that there will be a devil's advocate type thing going on, and this rings true with other things I've seen and heard from Rob Bell. I'm interested in the jump to conclusions based on brief descriptions, but I understand the basis for concern. I will interested to see what actually happens in the end, but no, I won't be disappointed if things go the way everyone expects them to. I would simply have to begin praying for the people under the man's leadership.
Zach,
This Scripture has been on my heart over the past couple of years, as I've watched the continuing polarization of the Evangelical church. Many friends and colleagues on all sides of these divisions (political, theological, methodological, racial, etc) are feeling the tension and bitterness more acutely these days. Your words (well, really God's Word) gives me hope that we can come through these difficult times.
The following are general remarks about the church that have *nothing* to do with the Rob Bell situation:
"Tribalism" or partisanship is more prevalent than people realize. The scriptures tell us to do all things with impartiality (1 Tim. 5:21), and that command is not viewed seriously today. A party spirit keeps us from viewing the facts objectively, so as to be righteous judges. Among other things, Christians are to be righteous judges, and that demands impartiality.
Too often Christians behave like the liberal media they criticize. They circle the wagons around those they like (their heroes), no matter what, even when legitimate criticism has been made. Political bias is rampant in the church as well.
Great post, man.
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