An invitation to eat

Brenda Brockman Diefenbacher wrote

A major component of the emergent church is what they call "conversation".

The "conversation" wants to, and does, take 2 opposing views and attempts to develop a 3rd outcome. This is why truth statements are met with such disdain.

Another name for this is SYNCRETISM. Syncretism is a social group method used to take 2 opposing views and introduce a new 3rd view, (the 3rd view is already pre-determined) to foster a 'new' way of thinking, and to usher in change to large social groups.

This is why we don't welcome "conversations" or debates. We already know what we believe and stand for and we do not welcome any attempts at compromise. Again, this is called unloving by those who oppose.

The Bible doesn't support syncretism, or a broad path to God, or any works-based worship methods, or man made methods measured by man's feelings and experiences. God has clearly laid out in His Word how we are to understand Him and approach Him in prayer and worship.

From: Facebook Concerned Nazarenes Group

In my previous post, I thought I had detailed what seemed to be the main reasons one would want to avoid debate or discussion of an issue. Over the weekend, I ran into this expression that I wanted to explore a bit more before moving on to another topic. I think this issue is one of the fundamental problems we face. The main problem is not the difference in views of scripture or which metaphor we use to explain the atonement. It isn't that what songs we sing or what we think needs to change in the church. The most basic problem will be that we seem to be unable to talk.

Some (as evidenced by the quote above) seem to assume that talking together is a subversive way to undercut positions and change what they see to be the immutable truth to which they adhere. Perhaps what we need to consider is the desire to discuss the full breath of Scripture without flattening the diversity of voices inside the Bible. Consider the commands given to Israel to offer sacrifices. In Leviticus 1.17 these sacrifices are described as an offering which is "pleasing odor to the LORD." If we look in Hosea 6.6 we see a different picture, "For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings." (NRSV)

Religious syncretism takes one faith and combines it with another. An obvious example of this kind of activity is Solomon as depicted in chapter 11 of 1 Kings. Here we see that because of all of the foreign women he loves turns his heart after other gods. Solomon builds a high place for Chemosh and for Molech. This kind of activity is the essence of "syncretism."

On a more generic basis, "syncretism" might take the form of merging two or forms of belief; however, this kind of merging is different from what might occur from dialogue. Depending on the context, the goal of a conversation is not always to convert one person to another person's way of thinking. The goal may not even be to find a way to move forward. As frustrating as it may be, the goal may simply be to understand where the other person is coming from in the situation. Sometimes, the goal of a conversation is for us to understand the positions or attitudes we hold ourselves.

Let's look at another example. When we think of marriage relationships, we understand that communication is important to the relationship. In the communication related to my marriage, I understand that no matter what I try to do, there is no way I'll ever convince my wife to think like a man (thank God!). At the same time, she will never be able to make me think like a woman. Because I think there are genuine differences in the way persons from different genders think (and feel), the goal is not to make some new way of thinking that combines the two (so neither of us are comfortable), but simply to understand from where the other person is coming. In this way, we are able to faithfully follow the charge given in the homily at our wedding. My Grandfather, who preached that homily stated, "God did not create Eve from Adam's foot that he should rule over her. Neither did he create Eve from Adam's skull that she should rule over him. Rather, God created Eve from Adam's rib that they might walk side by side as partners."

Though it may be stretching the metaphor a bit to apply this to the situation this blog addresses, I have to wonder if there was a way for us to sit down together around a table (I am, after all a southerner, and we tend to do this kind of hard work over a meal.) and have a regular discussion. I'd assume the Brian McClaren couldn't be there because of his busy schedule, but perhaps a few of us could sit down and eat together and talk about what we are passionate about. We could talk about how God is working in our lives. We could talk about what God's Holy Spirit is teaching us and we could explore what it might mean for us to love each other. It seems that despite what are genuine differences, the command for us to love our neighbor as ourselves applies to folks in the church in the same way it applies to husbands and wives in marriage. Otherwise, how will they know we are Christians by our love?

Prayer:

Father, forgive me for the way my own understanding is limited and for the ways my thinking about you is too small. Forgive me for the times I find genuine differences as an excuse to stop loving others. Forgive me for the times I see sisters and brothers in the church as my enemies. Forgive me for the times where I try to force people to adopt my views. Grant that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who you sent to bring to us new life and to conquer sin and death, may, as our brother, teach us how to relate to our siblings in you. Grant us the discipline to be queit and still long enough to listen to you and listen to my sisters and brothers. May your Holy Spirit provide a unity in focus for ministry that transcends differences on issues and may your Holy Spirit guide us into all Truth. Amen.