We were blessed with a visitor Wednesday morning. Herbert Mhango, a student of ours (2001-2002), stopped for a short visit. Since 2003, he has served the church in Lusaka, Zambia (1000 miles north of here). He told us about the work there and about the use he has made of the first edition of God’s Mission Begins. That was the only book we had completed when he was a student.
Herbert has placed an emphasis on beginning at the beginning. He has sought to give his congregation a solid grasp of the fundamentals, making sure that they know Genesis and Exodus so that they can understand the need for the Gospel.
His comments came at an appropriate time. Recently, I had been asked to look at a proposed curriculum revision for a school somewhere in Africa. I am sad to say that this document was taking the opposite approach. The proposed curriculum was heavy on doctrinal classes and incredibly light on study of the biblical text. In fact, textual Bible classes were non-existent in the proposal.
If one studies the actual biblical text, his doctrine (or theology) develops naturally and appropriately. If one studies theology (or doctrine) first, before studying the biblical text, he comes to the study of the Bible with his mind made up. The scriptures are then wrested to suit the preconceived doctrinal positions.
I am afraid that this is what is happening at many schools.
It is our hope that as we offer usable textbooks that make it easier to teach the textual classes, the schools will return to a more textually grounded approach. The trend now is in the opposite direction. That trend is alarming. This trend toward teaching doctrine (or theology) we lead divide the church into factions. Students who have been taught to take up doctrinal (or theological) positions split churches.
Students like Herbert, who were taught the Bible, emphasize the biblical foundation in their work. They are sometimes found serving a church twenty years at a time. Those who are taught mainly “doctrine” or “theology” will split a church; and then move on to split another one, and then move on to split another ....
It does not much matter whether the approach was the teaching of the more traditional doctrinal positions or the newer claim to have moved beyond tradition to embrace “progressive theology.” The result of either will be split churches instead of effective evangelism. In either case the doctrinal or theological positions staked out in advance become the lenses through which the Bible is viewed. These views are then forced on unwilling congregations, and good works are often destroyed.
The Bible is the judge of our theology (doctrine), not the other way around. Therefore, the Bible must be studied first and foremost.
Sadly, that is not what is happening in many places. We do not believe that we will single-handedly reverse this sad trend. But we will do what we can and pray that the Lord will use our efforts to his glory.
Sort of like tickling their ears?