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Primitive Christianity Revived, Again

More on Evangelicalism, Fundamentalism and the Bible

May 16, 2013

Worth reading this week is a blog post by Rachel Held Evans entitled Is God’s Presence Limited to the Scripture?

The question is on her mind (her answer is no) because of a blog post by Tim Challies, a prominent evangelical, on The Boundaries of Evangelicalism. Challies’s opening salvo is the statement that one of his “gravest concerns” in the contemporary church “is the power and prevalence of mysticism.” (Challies is worth reading for an example of how not to read the Bible.)

What does he mean by “mysticism?” He means any direct, unmediated experience of the Holy Spirit; any seeking for God outside the bounds of Scripture. He means by mysticism, for example, Fox’s epiphany that “Jesus has come to teach his people himself.” That is why Quakers should take notice.

Here is Challies’s conclusion about the Bible as the all-sufficient resource: “God has given us his Word to guide us in all matters of faith and practice. When we commit ourselves to mysticism, we commit ourselves to looking for revelation from God and experiences of God that come from outside that Word. We reject his gift--his good, infallible, inerrant, sufficient gift--and demand more. Because God promises us no more, we quickly create our own experiences and interpret them as if they are God’s revelation. Yet the Bible warns us that we can do no better than God’s Word and have no right to demand anything else. The question for Evangelicals today is just this: Will God’s Word be enough? Because whatever does not lead us toward God’s Word will always, inevitably and ultimately lead us away.”

Rachel Held Evans, a young Evangelical blogger, begins her response by noting that Challies’s “post is so full of historical inaccuracies, theological problems, and contradictions that it’s hard to know where to start.” Nevertheless, she does offer a spirited counter. I won’t try to summarize what she says, just encourage you to read it.

Here’s the core of what she has to say: “When we become more committed to the testimony than to the Person to whom it testifies, we are likely to miss the presence of Jesus even when it’s right in front of us. Probably because it took some form we weren’t expecting. Probably because it showed up outside of our boundaries. “

“Challies is wrong,” she says toward the end. “We do have direct access to God. We need no additional mediator.” And she adds about that word “boundaries” that Challies forefronts in the title of his post “I have come to see that these boundaries designed to shut others out only serve to shut the builders in.”

Quakers should care about this because, among evangelical Friends, and in an unreflective way, something like Challies’s view is becoming more common. Rachel Held Evans shows how one can take the Bible seriously and yet not think it is God’s only and last word.

Also posted on River View Friend.

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Comment by William F Rushby on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 8:27am: I guess, then, that we would have lots of unemployed Bible scholars, whose painstakingly acquired expertise in ancient languages and biblical interpretation is mere "conjecture".

Comment by Howard Brod on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 9:36am: Exactly. I think Jesus would call them "Scribes", and not put much stock in them because his message was a simple one, easily understood by a listening heart.

Comment by William F Rushby on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 10:08am: While we are at it, let's get rid of church historians (yes, Larry Ingle, Quaker historians too!), ethicists, philosophers, etc. All we need is the formula "love and forgive", and all of our problems are solved! It's that simple!

Comment by William F Rushby on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 10:31am: Oh, and a listening heart too!

Comment by Howard Brod on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 10:39am: Wow. You're onto something William! That would transform the world.

These linguistic and historical things may be of interest to the mind; entertainment and fodder for the mind, if you will. And that is their place. But they have little to do with experiencing God in one's heart, as happens in expectant waiting worship, and when living a life in love towards others.

Comment by James C Schultz on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 11:53am: There is a place for everything but I like what Paul wrote:

1Co 1:17

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

1Co 1:18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

1Co 1:19   For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

1Co 1:20   Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1Co 1:21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

1Co 1:22   For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

1Co 1:23   But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

1Co 1:24   But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

1Co 1:25   Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1Co 1:26   For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

1Co 1:27   But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

1Co 1:28   And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

1Co 1:29   That no flesh should glory in his presence.

1Co 1:30   But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

1Co 1:31   That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

And to keep it contemporay another Paul said: Love is all you really need! If it doesn't pass the Agape test it's another Gospel.

Comment by William F Rushby on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 12:36pm: Howard, I apologize for being a bit sarcastic. I think that we had better end our debate. It is getting too personal. Have a good day!

Comment by Howard Brod on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 12:51pm: William, you're just fine. I love sarcasm, and find yours endearing and not offensive in the least. I wish you only the best and have always enjoyed your posts. You are charitable and kind to apologize when no offense was taken.

I in turn did not mean to come off like I was attacking your post. Perhaps it is I who needs to apologize to you.

Comment by William F Rushby on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 1:00pm: Howard:

In line with Biblical precedent (yes, I'm hung up on that), I invite you to call me "Bill" from now on!

Bill

Comment by William F Rushby on 6th mo. 3, 2013 at 1:09pm: I meant the change in name, as when Jacob became Israel and Saul became Paul. I'm afraid "William" and "Bill" are post-biblical!

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