Challenge of Our Culture

In an article found in the very useful compendium The Art & Craft of Biblical Preaching Rick McKinnis describes three cultural myths or mindsets that make ministering in the United States challenging at times. His article caused me to ponder the prevalence of the same or similar attitudes found in much of Canadian fundamental movement. Over the next few blogs I intend to post my thoughts on the mindsets he identifies. I will, of course, adjust or adapt them to fit the movement with which I am familiar.

It seems that within much of our movement we have the ingrained belief in the supremacy of the simplistic. This mindset reveals itself in these interrelated ways-

• The use of pithy and trite statements to speak to areas of great complexity in life. Just one example of many possible. If I had a quarter for every time I heard, “Let go, and let God,” I would be quite a bit closer to the support level I need! Not that the statement is without its truth. The problem is that it is just blurted out like so many other clichés, none of which are explained with reference to the situation at hand. What does it truly mean to “let go?” How does one go about “letting God?” Most people who hear the statement in church have absolutely no idea. I dare say that many who utter the statement in the churches have no idea. Yet this sagacious advice is tossed out to speak to just about any trial of life! Much the same could be said about the many Christian clichés in our common vocabulary.
  
• The sermon content in many of our pulpits. Serious exposition of the Bible is often jettisoned for the sake of a easier message for the people. Though it may retain hearers in the present, this does no favours to those hearers in the future.
  
• The aversion to the deeper doctrines of the Word of God. This aversion is shared by those in pulpit and pew alike. The attitude seems to filter down from the pulpit. How many times has the misuse of Scripture Itself been used to justify this attitude? “These doctrines will corrupt you from the simplicity in Christ!” You wonder how some of these individuals would articulate such doctrines as the Trinity, Virgin Birth, or the Hypostatic Union!

This mindset is incredibly damaging. I am all for stating teaching and doctrine in understandable terms. The problem is being simplistic. Comprehensibility is the key. The simplistic mindset does not promote comprehension. It misses this by treating complex matters in such a surface manner that no understanding is possible, or by assuming that a matter is not necessary to be understood. Several possible results of this mindset await. One, as people are faced with the rigors and complexities of life they find that the simplistic does not adequately address their trials. Disillusionment is a very probable consequence. Two, too much “junk food” ruins the appetite for a hearty meal. Third, the pastor and people alike have little or no grasp of fundamental doctrine. This leaves them unable to answer the objections of those who would contradict. It also leads to an incorrect understanding and application of separation. Not knowing what is truly fundamental brings a church and pastor to the point of identifying as fundamental that which is merely preferential or often political.

So what ought we do in light of this?
1. Recognize the complex nature of the “real world.”
2. Shy away from the use of trite expressions. If one is to be used that does have practical and theological merit, clearly explain what is meant rather than assume the hearers have this understanding.
3. Preach the Word! Preach it in all of its beautiful and unified, but also divisive and difficult truth. Make the truth clear to your people, don’t sacrifice it!
4. Do not despise doctrine! May your delight in it overflow into the lives of your people.