Approaches to Theology #3: Subjective Theology
In exploring the ways people form religious convictions, the influence of subjective impressions and emotional responses must be considered. Man is an emotional being, and a person’s feelings are often involved in making decisions and determining responses. Making a good first impression is important because the subjective reaction to an initial encounter will frequently determine the future course of a human relationship. If a prospective employer perceives you to be sloppy, inattentive, or disinterested, you are not likely to overcome that impression and win the job. Likewise, a person’s subjective reactions and emotions will often determine the path they take in religion.
Examples of this type of subjective theology abound. A person who believes that God is speaking to them and directly leading them in a particular path will not often be dissuaded by logical appeals to scripture. The charismatic believer is usually indifferent to whether his practices are in harmony with scripture. He knows what he feels and that is enough. Some people choose to identify with a particular denomination because a dearly departed loved one was associated with it as well. The family denominationalist knows that no one was ever more spiritual than her grandmother, and if a particular church was good enough for granny, then it is good enough for her. Others decide to avoid certain churches or religious positions because of a negative association with it. There are people who will never enter the meeting place of a church of Christ because of a bad experience with a member of such a congregation. There are others who love instrumental music so much that they would never embrace any religious position that would suggest it is not accepted by God. In each of these examples, subjective feelings determine one’s religious course, not the standard of God’s written revelation.
Subjective theology is all about me. It is about how I feel, what I think, what I like, and where I can be happy. Sadly, many “seeker-sensitive” churches unashamedly appeal to such a subjective religious experience. What do you want in a church? What is important to you? What do you feel you need? Once we know what people want, we can create a congregation that will meet their felt-needs. Some “purpose-driven” preachers have even gone so far as to suggest that this approach fits Jesus’ ministerial method.
Contrary to those who market a subjective theology, Jesus and the apostles did not tell believers to rely on their experiences, their feelings, or their preferences to determine truth. In fact, these things will frequently lead us astray. The wise man said, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Pr. 14:12; 16:25). The prophet Jeremiah confessed, “O LORD, I know the way of man is not in himself; It is not in man who walks to direct his own steps” (Jer. 10:23). We must not rely on our own sense to guide us. The Bible is an all-sufficient, objective, unchanging revelation of God’s mind and will for man. The true believer must be content with its message and allow his emotions to be driven by a scriptural faith, not allow faith to be driven by emotions.--JME
Editorial: Going Beyond God’s Word
What is a good work? How do we define what is good for a church to do as a work of God? In modern times, churches have opened daycare centers, schools, and recreational facilities. They have hosted sports teams, concerts, and dramatic plays. One church in Georgia has even created and operates a movie production company. Men may look at these things and call them good. After all, we want our children to receive an education that is based on biblical truth, to play in a safe environment with their friends, and to be entertained in a wholesome way. But are these good works that the Lord has appointed for churches? How can we know?
The apostle Paul affirmed, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2Ti. 3:16-17). The Bible defines the good works that we are to do and equips us to complete those tasks. The scriptures clearly distinguish between the work of a church, whose money is freely contributed into a common treasury for the work of the Lord (1Co. 16:1-2), and the work of individuals, whose funds are within their own control (Ac. 5:4). For instance, Paul said that some widows could be supported financially by the church, but some widows were to be refused regular support (1Ti. 5:3-16). Is this because God is hard-hearted or because those widows did not have legitimate needs? No, it was because their care could be managed by individuals. The church is not to be burdened by projects that belong to the individual Christian. Churches have their own God-appointed work to do.
How can we know the difference between the work of a church and the work of an individual? In the same way that we know what God considers “good,” by studying the scriptures. The churches in the New Testament cared for needy Christians (Ac. 2:44-45) and spent their money to support the preaching of God’s word (1Co. 9:3-14). Social and recreational needs should be met by individual saints, not the local church (cf. 1Co. 11:22, 34).
The soothsayer Balaam may a true statement when he said, “Though Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD my God, to do less or more….If Balak were to give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad of my own will” (Nu. 22:18; 24:13). Many people today justify going “beyond the word of the LORD” to accomplish what they perceive as good. But the apostle John wrote, “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son” (2Jn. 9). May we learn not to “go beyond the word of the LORD, to do good or bad” of our own will. –The Editors
“That Doesn’t Make Sense”
I wonder how many of us base our understanding of religious principles and teaching on the above viewpoint. If it doesn’t “make sense”, then we reject it. Obviously, an understanding of truth requires “reason”. The Scriptures convey information, and our ability to reason and apply language must be used to gain it. But, even when properly understood, there are things about God’s word which do not “add up” when viewed in the light of human wisdom. God made no bones about it – HUMAN wisdom is not be relied upon! As Paul said, “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 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? 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.” (1Cor 1:18-21)
Modernists reject the virgin birth and the resurrection of Christ because it “doesn’t make sense” when viewed from human experience and wisdom. Sectarians reject the importance of baptism because they cannot “see” how it could actually have any effect toward one’s salvation. Others insist upon instrumental music, claiming that it doesn’t “add up” to be so meticulous in adhering to the Scriptures, and the advantages (according to them) of its use make it “reasonable”.
Such a carnal approach stands in stark contrast to the simple faith of a true disciple, who refuses to venture into the realm of “opinion”, and freely confesses his lack of confidence in his own thinking. The source of faith is OUTSIDE our own thinking (Rom. 10:17), and does not depend upon our agreement. In fact, the farthest thing from making sense is the disposition to claim a religion based on “faith”, and then water down the “faith” element by demanding to “see” it first. Such a religion cannot truly be said to be “faith-based” at all.
The fact is, we are not even SUPPOSED to “see” all that is involved in divine teaching and commands. Our main job is to BELIEVE it, once we ascertain it to be the true teaching of the Bible. As Paul says, “we walk by faith, and not by sight” (2 Cor 5:7). We had better quit trying to “make sense” of it, and be busy about carrying it out “as is”, for our good, and for the good of the world. –AcBelue
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