Training, no. But influence certainly. As we are influenced by the culture we live in. It is dangerous to think of oneself as spared by the spirit of the world, as to be spared from sin. But knowing that we can, we are influenced by the world, that should held us to be extra prudent and scrutinise, discern what is of the spirit of the world, and what is from God.
As one can say, we have to preach Jesus and not America, Switzerland, humans rights, democracy, or my own biases.
One problem in our churches (reformed baptist) is that we are more concerned by a good theologically strong sermon, than a simple but applied sermon. Because, I would guess, we have lots of biblical commentaries to rely upon.
But judging the reality of the world with the lamp at our feet that is the world of God :
- is risky
- implicite to do research
- has the risk to make error of judgment
- we are paralysed by not being expert
- and many more
What is needed is to know for oneself God, personably, not within books.
Thank you so much for your encouragement to think and to put the word of god into practice. There is a muscular here that has to be trained.
So in this era, separation of church and life?
Yes, in a sense, that’s that. Quite like the separation between the intellect and the hearth.
So, who taught clergy the idea what this was an intellectual issue?
Quite probably the world…
I am not sure that is where clergy get their theological training.
Training, no. But influence certainly. As we are influenced by the culture we live in. It is dangerous to think of oneself as spared by the spirit of the world, as to be spared from sin. But knowing that we can, we are influenced by the world, that should held us to be extra prudent and scrutinise, discern what is of the spirit of the world, and what is from God.
As one can say, we have to preach Jesus and not America, Switzerland, humans rights, democracy, or my own biases.
Frightening.
One problem in our churches (reformed baptist) is that we are more concerned by a good theologically strong sermon, than a simple but applied sermon. Because, I would guess, we have lots of biblical commentaries to rely upon.
But judging the reality of the world with the lamp at our feet that is the world of God :
- is risky
- implicite to do research
- has the risk to make error of judgment
- we are paralysed by not being expert
- and many more
What is needed is to know for oneself God, personably, not within books.
Thank you so much for your encouragement to think and to put the word of god into practice. There is a muscular here that has to be trained.