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The Cost Of Your Theology

Posted Sep 21 2009 by Jonathan Brink in  with 14 Comments

I have a friend who is very legalistic.  And during some of our conversations, this person has drawn the conclusion that I am probably not a Christian.  His framework is so narrow that I don’t fit into it.  And I get that.  I used to think like that too.  I used to live in that world.  He drew lines where none existed and in many ways chose to sever our relationship because I was now not part of his circle.

At first I really had to check myself.  Was I so deluded that I couldn’t see what my friend was saying?  Was I so captivated by some idea that I had somehow believed something that would jeopardize my faith.  Or, was my friend captivated? In hindsight it was good for me to be reminded of what I had walked away from.  But it also reminded me that I didn’t have to live that way.  It also made me sad when I considered the cost of theology, especially when it’s so harsh.

It’s easy to forget that the one person who is subject to our own specific interpretation of theology is…US.  We suffer the cost of it.

Are you okay with that?

It made me realize why Jesus made our actions the central revelation of our own theology.  Did we love?  Because if we didn’t, we were kidding ourselves.  It made me realize why idols are such a concern.  Theology can become an idol just as much as a gold statue.

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About the Author

Jonathan BrinkI am an business development and communications consultant. I am also the senior editor and publisher for Civitas Press. I recently published, Discovering The God Imagination: Reconstructing A Whole, New Christianity. (Civitas, 2011)View all posts by Jonathan Brink →

  • http://www.photosensibility.com/blog/ And

    I appreciated this. It's true that there is a cost for going outside the lines, but what is the cost of staying inside them?

  • http://www.photosensibility.com/blog/ And

    I appreciated this. It's true that there is a cost for going outside the lines, but what is the cost of staying inside them?

  • http://rachelheldevans.com Rachel Held Evans

    You've been on a roll with some great posts, Jonathan. I'm sorry that I've been too busy to comment!

    “Theology can become an idol just as much as a gold statue.” – Very true. And it applies to all of us – legalists, progressives, and everyone in between.

    I've found that according to the definitions that many of my friends and family members have of Christianity, I don't fit either. This can be frustrating. But I try remember that the best response I can give is one of love…and hope that someday that will be enough for them.

  • http://rachelheldevans.com Rachel Held Evans

    You've been on a roll with some great posts, Jonathan. I'm sorry that I've been too busy to comment!

    “Theology can become an idol just as much as a gold statue.” – Very true. And it applies to all of us – legalists, progressives, and everyone in between.

    I've found that according to the definitions that many of my friends and family members have of Christianity, I don't fit either. This can be frustrating. But I try remember that the best response I can give is one of love…and hope that someday that will be enough for them.

  • http://manofdepravity.com Tyler Braun

    I get your point here Jonathan and generally I agree with you….but I can't help but have this thought (and try not to read this as me ragging on you because I appreciate your perspective and writing)…

    That thought is this: aren't you doing the same thing to your friend that your friend was doing to you?

  • http://manofdepravity.com Tyler Braun

    I get your point here Jonathan and generally I agree with you….but I can't help but have this thought (and try not to read this as me ragging on you because I appreciate your perspective and writing)…

    That thought is this: aren't you doing the same thing to your friend that your friend was doing to you?

  • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

    See. That's why I like you Tyler. You're my contrarian.

    I guess I see it a little differently because I don't question my friend's faith because we differ. He is a child of God just like me. Love doesn't prohibit me from wanting the best relationship with my friend. But when his own theology does prohibit us from relationship, in essence creating an artificial barrier, I do have the opportunity to speak about it.

    My love for him allows me to sit in the tension of what is and hope for the best that we would someday reconcile as friends.

  • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

    See. That's why I like you Tyler. You're my contrarian.

    I guess I see it a little differently because I don't question my friend's faith because we differ. He is a child of God just like me. Love doesn't prohibit me from wanting the best relationship with my friend. But when his own theology does prohibit us from relationship, in essence creating an artificial barrier, I do have the opportunity to speak about it.

    My love for him allows me to sit in the tension of what is and hope for the best that we would someday reconcile as friends.

  • http://manofdepravity.com Tyler Braun

    Makes sense, thanks.

  • http://manofdepravity.com Tyler Braun

    Makes sense, thanks.

  • http://www.magicbear.blogspot.com/ Robert

    Jonathan- I totally agree with Rache, quite a roll you have been on. I am glad the further explanation you gave tyler, it makes total sense. Love never gives up and never fails, so i see how you can sit in the tension of hope for your relationship to reconcile at some point. How did you ever survive at Biola??? Just a lil arminian dig there. I had 2 good friends who went to Talbot.

    On a football note- GO WOLVERINES!!!

  • http://www.magicbear.blogspot.com/ Robert

    Jonathan- I totally agree with Rache, quite a roll you have been on. I am glad the further explanation you gave tyler, it makes total sense. Love never gives up and never fails, so i see how you can sit in the tension of hope for your relationship to reconcile at some point. How did you ever survive at Biola??? Just a lil arminian dig there. I had 2 good friends who went to Talbot.

    On a football note- GO WOLVERINES!!!

  • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

    Thanks for the kind words Robert.

    To be honest, I was a rebel at Biola. I broke way too many rules and I never quite bought into the whole thing. And if I'm honest, I went for the cute girls. Terrible me, huh. ;-P I still look back on the whole experience as a learning period of my life though.

  • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

    Thanks for the kind words Robert.

    To be honest, I was a rebel at Biola. I broke way too many rules and I never quite bought into the whole thing. And if I'm honest, I went for the cute girls. Terrible me, huh. ;-P I still look back on the whole experience as a learning period of my life though.

Business development and communications for growing businesses.