Near the end of Sunday school this past week, I raised my hand and asked a question. When no one else could offer a response, Jess volunteered an answer. It was a good answer. The funny thing is that when she was done, she qualified it with “Well, that’s what MacArthur says.”
I had to smile at that. I know she didn’t think of or mean for it to be taken this way, but I couldn’t help but consider how many people I know who would allow that phrase to substantiate everything preceding it as sure and solid truth. Don’t get me wrong; I like John MacArthur as much as the next GOCer.
But it seems there is a certain weight we put on the words of MacArthur, Piper, Grudem, Spurgeon, Edwards, Calvin, and Luther. Because they are all great theologians, effective ministers, and godly men, it is easy to say, “Well, they have much more wisdom and knowledge and spiritual expertise and experience in the formulation of their theology, and so they must be correct.” But I’m certain these men would be the first to admit that their theologies are incomplete and by no means inerrant; even among this list of men we can pinpoint aspects of their doctrines that disagree. In my time at his church, I remember John MacArthur once saying something like this: “I know my doctrine is not 100% correct. I would fix it if I only knew where I was wrong.”
It would be irresponsible for the Christian to listen and accept blindly all the words of any respected spiritual leader or teacher. This extends to your home church and local pastor or fellowship leaders as well. But it would be even more irresponsible of me to assume that my own theology is 100% correct. Rather, it is necessary for us to take everything we hear and weigh it against the truth we know of God through His Word. And how are we to do that if we don’t study and know His Word on our own, and ask of the Holy Spirit to illumine our hearts and reveal truth to us as we do so? It is vital that our hearts and minds be informed, then engaged to test all teaching we receive.
As a college counselor and Sunday school teacher, it can be discouraging to think that the students are not paying attention. It is also discouraging to think that even if they are listening, they may not really be hearing and thinking, spiritually and intellectually engaged. But I would rather they not listen at all than to listen with a simple blind acceptance. That is dangerous.
MacArthur or not.
2 things. #1 I’d love for you to come to my grad - email me back so I can send you the info. #2 about your thoughts on blind acceptance - to play devil’s advocate (or not, depending on how far down the rabbit hole you want to go), if we ask our students to not blindly accept what teachers say, is it also not off limits to not blindly accept what the Bible says? And if one doubts, does that make one less faithful or more desirous of truth? And how long can we sit in the ambiguity of not having answers to the deepest questions? And what has more weight in belief, theological truth or intimate relationship? Ah, so many questions, so much unclear… I love that God can’t be understood completely through human intelligence, including theology proper and orthodoxy.
YES! You’ve put to words what many a GCC-skeptic has thought about for ages, but has been afraid to say in public, due to the incomparable popularity of MacArthur, Piper, and Co.
Alright, I have to admit- I myself am wrong to poke so much fun, and focus so much derision, at Johnny Mac and “his” church. As you well know, I attend GCC when I’m up in LA, and I have grown a great deal directly thanks to God’s moving through the pastors there. However, it has never gotten easy for me to hear people say, “I’d take a bullet for John MacArthur!” or “I hope John MacArthur never dies so I can hear his commentaries forever!” And yes, I have heard both statements made at least once, probably more. They’re totally genuine, totally innocent statements expressing appreciation for good teaching, but they raise the hair on the back of my neck!
As many have said, you’d be hard pressed to find many churches with the biblical scholarship and expository gold mine of GCC- but sometimes we need to consider whether or not we’re TOO into it. On the other hand, I’d say the same of many of the leaders of the Emergent movement- followers gladly embrace the philosophies of these leaders, and apply their faith in accordance with that perspective and that perspective alone.
In America, we often shudder at the mindless devotion of Muslims in the Middle East to their all-knowing mullahs and ayatollahs- although we know the Truth, can we not also be misled by our own flawed humanity?
haha thanks, james. just to clarify: the reason that i qualified my statement with its source was so that you’d know it was not simply a view i was accepting as truth, but rather that it was a consideration.
@jess: Haha, yes. I didn’t think you fell into this category, but your comment just reminded me to address it. I did appreciate MacArthur’s input too, though. :)
Great post. I can’t add to what you’ve said. =)
[…] a Christian standpoint, I always encourage people to test everything they hear preached. In college, this applies not only to the pulpit, but also to everything you hear from your […]