what's behind a name?

Theological and Practical? In modern Evangelicalism, is it even possible to be described as both? After some observations of our theological brothers and sisters in the "reformed" camp of theology, we began to ponder why so many of us are not living out the doctrines we hold to?

Historically when we look at our heroes of the faith, their minds were entrenched with the study of who God was, but they also sought to know Him personally, and their fingers were busy with the work of God. But so many brothers and sisters hide their lack of commitment to a local church and dislike for people behind the veil of seeking the "right doctrine" and the church that perfectly fits into that doctrine. This usually shows itself mainly in two ways.

First, there are many pastors who stand up in the pulpit every Sunday, and boast about their theology and how the "other guys" aren't getting it right. They then proudly show off their "Badge of Reformation," or their "Badge of Emergence," or their "Badge of Relevance," and think that they've done God a service. The Bible then becomes merely a book to affirm a certain set of principles and doctrines which then becomes a banner they raise proudly over the whole church. Rather, we need to see scripture as His word and a way of knowing and being known by Christ and raising His banner and His banner alone to be seen by all.

We walk in these unfortunate churches and can see what they believe because they are sure to tell you, or they have it plastered on their walls, or it's even in the name of their church. Or worse, a church or pastor will brag about it's doctrine, but that's all they do. There is no love amongst themselves, no outreach, no evangelism, and discipleship excludes personal holiness. These churches are dying because they're having a heart attack, but by golly they're "believing" the right things. And then they brag that their church doesn't need to grow as long as they're "preaching the Word." But can they say, like Paul to the Thessalonians, that the Gospel not only came in word, but in power, with the Holy Spirit, with full conviction? Unfortunately not. In our experience, the churches that struggle with this have only the powers of their minds, squelch the spirit, and can't, beyond a general recognition, point to a single sin in their lives.

Don't get us wrong; we're not knocking reformed churches. We are reformed. But if your reformation becomes an excuse to judge or condemn, then we have lost love. We must remember that they are the Doctrines of Grace. How in the world can someone who has been overcome and saved by the grace of God look down their noses at anyone? God's grace is given to us when we don't deserve it, and we treat others like they're less than us? This is the exact opposite of what scripture tells us to be. God's grace has been given to us to to share, and sharing comes in sacrifice. In humility. In love.


On the other side, however, are those who strive to have the right theology and doctrine, but are not plugged into a church at all. They're quick to argue and fight for their respective theological camp, but turn tail and run from a church the second they're asked to give something. They will labor to spread a correct theological worldview, but not work with God's people in the church. They have a commitment to Calvin, but not to Christ's body. At some point, as Derek Webb says, their theology must become their ethics. What they believe must impact what they do. To have such an insatiable hunger to know Jesus, but to totally neglect His body makes no sense. The desire to know God perfectly will drive you further into the church not father away from it.

Should we desire to know God truly and rightly? Of course. Should we stand up for what's right and correct those who believe wrongly. Of course. But this is to happen, with love, in the context of the church. No church is perfect. Which is exactly why we need these men who are so passionate about theology to decide to fight for the church instead of their particular theology. We need them to grow in love, patience, and service. We need them to not pick and prod the church from the outside, but lead it humbly from the inside. Unfortunately they abandon the church so that the only men who are left to be pastors and elders are those who don't have a love for theology or simply don't care.

This long rant is the reason behind the name of our blog. Does the Amercian church need to be reformed? Goodness yes. But the reformers must remember that they are to be transformed by the renewing of their mind. A mind that is reformed, without a heart that is transformed, is wasted.