The Problem of Theology

If the church taught the priesthood of believers, then the professionals wouldn't have the power that the now enjoy, and folks in evangelical churches might see that their emperor isn't wearing any clothes.

i think your use of the word heresy might be a little off. heresy means a difference of opinion from the orthodox, not an improper assertation of theology. not that the asserted couldn't fit both definitions at once, its just that its essence is about disagreement, not about "wrongness".

Nevertheless, I understand what you're saying. The problem with theology is that it builds gaps between people and brick walls that must be scaled. This problem shouldn't lead us to do away with theology and its study, but rather rethink how we act based on our theology.

Good thoughts.

Jonathan,
I think you are right-on!

I think what's so important for us to understand, is that we all hear different things from God through the Holy Spirit.

I'll just take "sin" as one example...of many. What I mean by this is:

~ There are certainly sins that apply to all of us that are just downright wrong (murder, adultry, idolitry, stealing, etc)
~ However, I think that God speaks to each of us individually about other things. For example, God may tell Jane to completely stay away from alcohol for a particular reason that Jane truly would understand why (for she has some type of internal struggle with it), but for Joe, it's okay (perhaps because it's not a temptation/weakness he personally has with it).

What organized religion does to people is it puts everyone in one giant box, and makes rules that "it" thinks should apply to everyone equally. This is upsurd, because again, the Holy Spirit speaks to us about a mariad of different things so uniquely and beautifully differently.

With regards to a heretic, if a person were to talk about a specific thing, it is what they have specifically heard the Holy Spirit tell them in their heart. Now, indeed, this may be helpful and the Truth...and apply to many other people. But a closed-hearted critic is the type of person who cannot understand that they have the CHOICE to go to the Holy Spirit within THEM ask ask God to reveal whether it applies to them/is confirmed to them specifically, as well. It's a matter of taking personal responsibility to enter into annd engage in dialog with God living within themselves to find answers/seek guidance and Truth.

Blessings,
~Amy :)
http://amyiswalkinginthespirit.blogspot.com

Aha!

So, if we leave the Lord to guide people instead of other people guiding them - would that be classed as 'heresy' (in the sense you are using it)?

If we leave people to have the Holy Spirit teach them and guide them into all truth - would that be classed as heresy?

What if someone did something that contradicted scripture but said they did it because "God told them to" but they maybe never did it again - would that constitute heresy?

If however, by the observance of your life and character, I have seen that you are a person who is dependant upon Christ then I empower you to be a priest, to trust in the Spirit’s capacity to speak to you, to be who you are designed to be in Christ, then although you may say something I don’t agree with, I will have empowered you to disagree with me but trust the Lord, which is what I am aiming for.

Lots of love!

Pops

Amos, I was using heresy more from a historical orthodoxy sense, but it can easily be used for opinion. I've seen people call some a heretic simply because they disagreed.

The issue is in some sense power. If I empower you to be a priest then I take the risk that you may disagree with me at some point. And to a certain extent that could be construed as heresy, although today we tend to call it a different denomination. ;-P

Pops, I think this is the value of shared community. The priesthood was always best worked out in small communities working out their faith together. It can be abused but its cost then becomes limited if it happens, as opposed to a single pastor offering heresy or misinformation to a large church.

And the second part of God told them to do it. This is happening already. And the truth of what they say is always proved out, good or bad.

We deal with this all the time. If I'm throwing out garbage and expecting people to trust, they may the first time, but if I'm wrong eventually they won't. This again goes back to shared community again, and the ability to call BS on someone.

But what I have also seen is that those individuals who aren't really looking for truth but instead power, shy away from authentic community and are drawn towards power situations where there is no accountability.

Hi Jonathan

It seems to me that there are two main reasons why we pay only lip service to the concept of the priesthood of all believers:
1. salaried, 'full-time', professional ministers who like to be in control, thrive on being at the centre of things, enjoy a degree of authority over others, etc
2. largely passive congregational members who like the anonimity of the pew and who love the fact that, apart from a couple of hours each week listening to someone at the front, they are free to get on with living their lives largely how they want with little responsibility for 'one anothering' or 'mutual ministry to one another'.
So, we build a system based on ministry from a single professional full-time pastor who we recruit from outside the church in question and can sack if they step out of line. Of course, none of this is found in the NT and runs absolutely contrary to what church is meant to be - but hey, everyone gets what they want......

A brilliant question/observation, Mr. Brink.

Thank you for your kind words Dana.

Goblin, sadly there is a deep irony in your statement that, "hey, everyone gets what they want."

Hey...just cruising around the web looking for some material for a paper on missio dei and here I am.

I like what you said, its been something I've been dealing with personally. I had a very public "calling" experience that blew me out of the water. Pondering if I was called (or thought I might be "going slightly mad"), a young man came forward out of the blue and told me he had a vision of me as a "pillar" for the church. I took hold of that vision as that was a confirmation of what God had put in my heart to pursue higher education; go to seminary, get more education for leadership (not necessarily necessary but just my particular path).

I noticed that the format in the church completely changed after that experienced, the pastor said that nobody would be singled out by name or pointed out, I thought, why? it was so necessary, had that young man not used his "gift" I would not be where I am (in seminary). I could not understand this change but as I stumbled on this blog (thanks for your gift), I have an answer that seems to resonate with what I was feeling. The call was way too threatening... My spirit is grieved, I have felt recently that this particular body (BODY) is witholding the gift it should impart to believers, to exhort them as priests, I know I have a gift that I surely want to impart on the BODY with my personal priesthood.

Thanks for shedding some light, I agree with your thoughts!
Blessings,