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Chicken Little Theology
| Most everyone is
familiar with the story of chicken little who thought the sky was
falling because something hit him on the head. While this was a
misunderstanding by chicken little, there were others who responded to
the alarm by echoing the warning. The application for Christians is
that before repeating what we are told, we have a responsibility to
determine if it is true. otherwise we share in the guilt of passing
along that which is false.
A theologian might observe the words “elect” or “predestined” in the
bible and conclude that God picked specific people to become
Christians. He might not consider that what was predestined was a
category that those who enter could be called elect. The pronouncement
by the theologian might be well received because it imparts a feeling
of being special and can even approach the level of self-righteousness
of the Pharisees. To be especially selected by God can even excuse
contempt for those not chosen. Those made to feel special might then
embark as sort of jihadists empowered to attack others.
A theologian might see references to gnashing teeth and proclaim that
those who are not Christian will be tortured forever in hell. This can
motivate many to declare for Christ, but one may ask if a fearful act
is the same as trusting in truth. The theologian in error has a
responsibility for promoting that which is not true as well as the
person who echos the error. One might assume that the first act of a
Christian on hearing an assertion from a theologian is the one the
Bereans used, that of searching the scriptures to see if something is
true.
Theologians are usually hired to defend the established doctrines of a
denomination which everyone in the denomination has assumed are true.
The theologian is less one who searches for truth than one who
advances,defends, and contests for what others have already declared.
The field agents (pastors) who are trained by the theologians are also
seldom interested in searching for truth as opposed to defending the
brand.
Consider assuring someone that they have a ticket to heaven because
they were water baptized as an infant. If this turns out to be not
true, those who told him so may also suffer for passing along the
errtor they were taught. Each person is responsible for proving what is
true. The theologian that in effect says, “Do not think, just trust
what I tell you”, makes things easier for now, but may take on himself
the consequences for those he misleads.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. - 1 Thessalonians 5:21
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the
fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed
to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in
all things, which is the head, even Christ: - Ephesians 4:13-15
Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and
worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not
seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, - Colossians
2:18
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