So this is my first time writing on one of these things, and I'm not even sure if I'm hoping people respond, just kind of thinking and putting my thoughts down on the computer. So this article surfaced a few years ago now, but I only read it for the first time a couple of months ago, Bart Campolo's "The Limits Of God's Grace." It was published in a Youth Journal but was pulled after people claimed it was heretical.
I've been a big fan of Bart's ever since he spoke at Summer Madness a few years back (check out "Jesus vs. the American Dream" on iTunes), and was intrigued to read it. I've linked it at the bottom in case you have trouble finding it online.
The problem I'm having with it at the minute is that it definitely seems to have flaws and I struggle to see how his basis for it is upon scripture (and therefore God), yet I can't help agreeing with him on an awful lot of what he says! My main issue would be the point where he openly says that he will dismiss or rationalise any scripture which combats his chosen idea of God. Obviously it's easy to say that you cannot ignore scripture just to fit your own ideas, but when I think of it how often do we do this ourselves? How much of scripture do we twist and distort to suit us? I would never dream of saying that I have it all sorted out, but I would say that certain things are scripturally wrong, like excessive drinking and promiscuous sex, yet I know Christians who engage in these things and who I have argued over the Bible with in terms of how they interpret it. Or the huge debate over homosexuality, which, while 50 years ago was adamantly opposed in Christian culture, many churches are now becoming increasingly acceptive of. So is Bart merely saying out loud what many of us either keep hidden or don't even realise we're doing? Not that I'm standing behind his approach, where he openly says it and doesn't seem to see that it's wrong.
I'm a long way off knowing where I stand with regards to this, just figured I'd throw it out there.
Bart Campolo's 'The Limits of God's Grace'
Glen, welcome to the world of blogging and I must say I'm impressed with your first two posts. I am a big fan of Bart's dad Tony(check out his vids on Youtube, he's the world's best story teller and much more biblical)and also the work that Bart does but his theology does not have a strong biblical basis.Like many of the post-modern preachers they leave out those hard doctrines such as the virgin birth, the atonement,the authority of Scripture ,the Divinity of Christ etc the very same doctrines that the liberal theologians rejected at the begining of the 20th century.
ReplyDeleteWhich degree are you studying at B.B.C.?
Glenn, thanks for the comments on my blog and your question.I wish you well on your theology course (the Queen of the Sciences!), it is a great subject and the BBC is a good place to do it.In answer to your question, the role of woman in ministry is indeed a hot topic. Paul certainly is clear:'I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence'.
ReplyDeleteHowever can they still be in ministry without exercising authority over men? Stott thinks that there may be a case for this providing they don't try to throw their own weight about but come as servant leaders:'all Christian teachers are called to teach humbly under its authority, If then a woman teaches others, including men, under the authority of Scripture (not claiming any authority of her own), in a meek and quiet spirit (not throwing her weight about), and as a member of a pastoral team whose leader is a man (as a contemporary cultural symbol of masculine headship), would it not be legitimate for her to exercise such a ministry'
Certainly if there are no men up to the job a women such as Deborah in the O.T. have be called of God to lead.I have also been in fellowship/churches where there were only been male leaders and it certainly appeared to be both elitist and chauvinistic. But it need not be so. Male leaders should be godly,humble servants of God and that is what I believe the New Testament and this passage in particular clearly teaches.