Hebrews 5:12-14 was referenced along with Ephesians 4:14 (and 2:20) in our pastor's sermon this week. Your connection with churches neglecting the meat and becoming progressive is a good one. Sadly, many don't even get the milk! They deny the foundation in their "deconstruction".
I wonder if our problem is that we are too comfortable in our Christian liberty that we group that in with theology. We'd rather not alienate a congregation full of different views instead of teaching them the correct ones. In turn, we end up with a congregation with poor discernment because they aren't trained with constant practice (Heb. 5:14).
"I wonder if our problem is that we are too comfortable in our Christian liberty that we group that in with theology." Could you explain this? I'm not quite sure I get what you're trying to say.
I do agree, though, that it's a problem when pastors choose not to teach on certain topics for fear of alienating a subset of the congregation. And as you say, a consequence of that is that you end up with a congregation that lacks spiritual discernment.
Sorry, I worded that wrongly. I meant that it seems churches make theology a secondary issue that Christians are free to disagree on. In reality, God is who He is and can't deny Himself based on how different Christians think He is or acts or even what He says.
Thanks for the clarification. There's some leeway to be sure (e.g., amillenialism vs. premillenialism vs. postmillenialism), but theology in itself shouldn't be set aside. We need to learn theology so we can have a better idea of who God is and what He expects of us.
I would agree, and wonder if a lack of maturity seen in some churches is a result of a lack of good discipleship programs. There should be babies in every congregation, and plenty of opportunities to receive pure spiritual milk at church (1 Peter 2:2).
But I’ve wondered why many long time church attendees come to a course like Alpha, for example, which is meant for those new to the faith (though I know that some come out of curiosity or to bring a friend who needs it, or to learn to dialogue about the basics). I’ve had discussions with several long time church attendees at Alpha who still don’t understand the basics, or who have never chosen baptism, and that’s concerning.
I also think some people don’t want to grow up. With knowledge comes responsibility - it’s uncomfortable and it means letting go of sin. This could be the biggest problem.
“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Well organized mentorship programs in churches are also helpful, giving opportunities for both mature and immature believers to learn and grow together. This models a healthy family.
I do think that a lack of good discipleship programs can be responsible for the lack of maturity in a congregation. More fundamentally, I worry that pastors and teachers, who are supposed to be able to teach the Bible, fail to do so. Rather than expositional teaching of the Bible (whether on a Sunday or for a weekly program), they opt for lighter topical teaching--which often involves a book that isn't the Bible and is too often only kind of about the Bible. (Now, topical material in itself isn't the problem--a skilled enough teacher can teach it well--but at least from my own experience, it is often too light, or worse, involves misuse of the biblical text.) And I worry that pastors fail to teach the Bible because they are blind to what their congregations really need to hear.
As for Christians who don't want to mature, maybe this is partly a function of the failure of pastors/teachers to teach the Bible. The Bible can be quite stark in its teachings, and perhaps the lack of desire to mature is partly because they haven't become familiar with the reproofs of Scripture. Or perhaps pastors/teachers are blind to the spiritual health of the congregation, and so they fail to see the need to goad the congregation into maturity. Or perhaps they're too nice, and so, although they see the need, aren't forceful enough.
Of course, the individual Christian isn't exempt from doing his part. I've just been thinking more about the topic lately with respect to leadership within the church.
Spot.On. Thank you for this. The fact that we resist thinking deeply about the Word is truly concerning and just plain strange given how much time and research Christians give to nearly anything else.
Hebrews 5:12-14 was referenced along with Ephesians 4:14 (and 2:20) in our pastor's sermon this week. Your connection with churches neglecting the meat and becoming progressive is a good one. Sadly, many don't even get the milk! They deny the foundation in their "deconstruction".
I wonder if our problem is that we are too comfortable in our Christian liberty that we group that in with theology. We'd rather not alienate a congregation full of different views instead of teaching them the correct ones. In turn, we end up with a congregation with poor discernment because they aren't trained with constant practice (Heb. 5:14).
Thanks for reading, Mike.
"I wonder if our problem is that we are too comfortable in our Christian liberty that we group that in with theology." Could you explain this? I'm not quite sure I get what you're trying to say.
I do agree, though, that it's a problem when pastors choose not to teach on certain topics for fear of alienating a subset of the congregation. And as you say, a consequence of that is that you end up with a congregation that lacks spiritual discernment.
Sorry, I worded that wrongly. I meant that it seems churches make theology a secondary issue that Christians are free to disagree on. In reality, God is who He is and can't deny Himself based on how different Christians think He is or acts or even what He says.
Thanks for the clarification. There's some leeway to be sure (e.g., amillenialism vs. premillenialism vs. postmillenialism), but theology in itself shouldn't be set aside. We need to learn theology so we can have a better idea of who God is and what He expects of us.
Right, but I would differentiate eschatology with theology.
Okay, so you have theology proper (doctrine of God) in mind, not just theology in general (which includes eschatology).
I suppose. To me, "theos" and "ology" means knowledge of God Himself and not necessarily those things associated with Him.
Great summary.
I would agree, and wonder if a lack of maturity seen in some churches is a result of a lack of good discipleship programs. There should be babies in every congregation, and plenty of opportunities to receive pure spiritual milk at church (1 Peter 2:2).
But I’ve wondered why many long time church attendees come to a course like Alpha, for example, which is meant for those new to the faith (though I know that some come out of curiosity or to bring a friend who needs it, or to learn to dialogue about the basics). I’ve had discussions with several long time church attendees at Alpha who still don’t understand the basics, or who have never chosen baptism, and that’s concerning.
I also think some people don’t want to grow up. With knowledge comes responsibility - it’s uncomfortable and it means letting go of sin. This could be the biggest problem.
“But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?”
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Well organized mentorship programs in churches are also helpful, giving opportunities for both mature and immature believers to learn and grow together. This models a healthy family.
Thanks for reading, Angie.
I do think that a lack of good discipleship programs can be responsible for the lack of maturity in a congregation. More fundamentally, I worry that pastors and teachers, who are supposed to be able to teach the Bible, fail to do so. Rather than expositional teaching of the Bible (whether on a Sunday or for a weekly program), they opt for lighter topical teaching--which often involves a book that isn't the Bible and is too often only kind of about the Bible. (Now, topical material in itself isn't the problem--a skilled enough teacher can teach it well--but at least from my own experience, it is often too light, or worse, involves misuse of the biblical text.) And I worry that pastors fail to teach the Bible because they are blind to what their congregations really need to hear.
As for Christians who don't want to mature, maybe this is partly a function of the failure of pastors/teachers to teach the Bible. The Bible can be quite stark in its teachings, and perhaps the lack of desire to mature is partly because they haven't become familiar with the reproofs of Scripture. Or perhaps pastors/teachers are blind to the spiritual health of the congregation, and so they fail to see the need to goad the congregation into maturity. Or perhaps they're too nice, and so, although they see the need, aren't forceful enough.
Of course, the individual Christian isn't exempt from doing his part. I've just been thinking more about the topic lately with respect to leadership within the church.
Spot.On. Thank you for this. The fact that we resist thinking deeply about the Word is truly concerning and just plain strange given how much time and research Christians give to nearly anything else.
Thanks for reading, Ashley. Agreed. I have more thoughts on this topic that I'd like to include in a follow-up post, so stay tuned!