I’ve been out of town this week, and I’ve had a chance to visit a number of church gatherings. This has caused me to think about what makes the difference between a church that is alive with the spirit of God and a church that is merely alive?
So, the day after Thanksgiving, I woke up early and listened to a sermon by Tim Keller called A Blueprint for Revival. I learned that, in the book of Acts, there’s a pattern for what happened when the early church experienced a revival:
- The Church faced a great crisis
- There was extraordinary seeking after God in prayer
- A visitation by God happened
- A community would be transformed
What I also learned was that there are four kinds of barriers found in scripture that can prevent revival from taking place:
- Heterodoxy—people do not uphold the basic doctrines of the Bible
- Orthodoxy—straight doctrine which has led to pride
- Dead Orthodoxy—people have correct doctrine but have no grasp of how to live the Gospel
- Defective Orthodoxy—over-concern for programs, too much talk about the gospel, and not enough doing or un-mortified sin
What struck me the most was the fourth barrier that prevents God from showing up among his people and transforming that community—Defective Orthodoxy. Tim Keller made a statement about Defective Orthodoxy that, “One man can sink the whole ship.” That really got me thinking—is it me? Am I the one man?
There’s a place in scripture where that same question was asked. If you’ll study the last supper, Jesus said, “One of you is going to betray me.” Yet, if you’ll notice NONE of the disciples said, “It’s Judas!—he’s always been shady . . . ” or, “It’s Thomas—he’s a doubter.” Rather, they ALL said, “IS IT ME?” Everyone questioned themselves. There was no finger pointing, no advice giving – only deep questioning of one’s own heart.
As I sat there on Black Friday morning watching the sun come up, I really searched my life. I don’t want to be the one man who sinks the ship. Do any of us really want to be that one person? I doubt it. Maybe it would be a good idea for each of us to spend some time praying, “Is it me?”
Imagine what our world would be like if everyone looked inward first before pointing the finger at someone else. How would your marriage, your family, or your church be different?
For more on this subject, download Tim Keller’s sermons A Blueprint for Revival, Parts 1 and 2 (http://sermons2.redeemer.com/sermons/sermonlist/11). Also, study Matthew 26 and Mark 14.
David Achata
Why did #4, "Defective Orthodoxy" strike you? And did it strike you personally, corporately (FHC) or both? What do you think "doing" the gospel entails? Could you also define "un-mortified sin"? I think I know where Keller is going there but since "mortification of sin" is a Puritan term that may be unfamiliar within Adventism, could you elaborate? Finally, is the question I am to ask, "Is it me that keeps my community (family, church, work, school, etc.) from experiencing revival - coming 'alive' with the Spirit of God?" Questions, questions, questions . . . maybe this requires a sermon!
ReplyDeletejolhowell
Hey Jodie,
ReplyDeleteHere are some answers to your questions--
Defective Orthodoxy struck me personally. I'm sure there is a corperate application, but I didn't go there in my examination. My examination was personal.
This happened because it was under the subject of Defective Orthodoxy where Tim Keller made the comment "one man can sink the ship." He talked about Achan, Jonah and others. Then he added that one person could be the hole in the bucket that's preventing God's spirit from filling up a church.
Doing the Gospel means having doctrinal balance. In other words, if you say you believe something, you ought to be doing something about it.
Un-mortified sin means something that one person has done or not done which they are hiding and are un-repentant for. This can also mean a calloused heart that has grown cold toward the things of God. These things result in a negative social consequence.
Oh Yes-- this does require a sermon. We'll talk about it and see what happens.
-David
I was thinking on how different were the settings that led to Galileo's recanting some scientific viewpoints from Luther's steadfast defense of freedom of choice in matters of faith having his conscience "captive" by the Word of God. Galieleo's endorsement of science would not stand the proof of a life threat, a serious one, coming from such a formidable apparatus the Inquisition had become. Luther's endorsement of faith was worth a life, or thousands. But, being right or wrong, a matter of "orthodoxy" concern, in spite of being a powerful drive even to the point of facing death instead of recant, is an elusive subject in our post-modern culture, uncomprehensible, the only thing close to it is the jihadist and all their murderous crazy stuff, we abhor such mind set, we see it as a dangerous thing, and certainly it is. My big question is: Is "orthodoxy" a synonym of perfection or completenes as the alluring mathematical coherence is? Maybe we are too much concerned in being right about something and we should be more engaged in the relational aspects of this. Is he/she the right one? this question is deep seated in our emotional and rational core. We would give our lives for our children or spouses. Is God the right one? Am I the right one to God?. I would quit a theory right on the spot if persecuted, but... am I strong enough to stand the trial of persecutions just for a pledge of loyalty to something that has its roots in an old book, tales of iliterate fishermen from a remote past and culture, or an invisible cohort of characters? Is Gospel that real to me?
ReplyDeleteJim
Hey Jim
ReplyDeleteWhen I used "Defective Orthodoxy" I was thinking in terms of beliefs that have only made it as far as the head and not to the heart.
The difference between Orthodoxy and defective Orthodoxy is that Orthodoxy (straight doctrine) is a good thing. But when it leads to pride, it becomes evil. Defective Orthodoxy is different. Defective Orthodoxy involves knowing right things but doing nothing about them.
In Part 2 of Tim Keller's sermon he lists 5 marks of if we are living out the gospel as a church (and as individuals):
1. Vibrant Teaching (Individually--vibrant learning)
2. Theological Depth
3. Intimate Fellowship
4. Aggressive Evangelism
5. Compassionate Social Concern
So--in response to your question, Orthodoxy becomes defective when it lacks one of these. This could also mean you are missing either the cognitive dynamic of Orthoxy or the Relational dynamic. They go hand in hand
-David