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ON CERTAIN BLOGS: "That's The Way To Do It":Punchinello

ON CERTAIN BLOGS: "That's The Way To Do It":Punchinello

By Roger Salter
Special to Virtueonline
www.virtueonline.org
December 22, 2014

The term "blog" is highly indecorous to ear and eye, like so many expressions coined for computer-related communication and technological nomenclature (e.g. Ipod), and internet usage of English is destroying a beautiful, artfully evocative and supple language that does not need to be vulgarized and wantonly cluttered with ugly abbreviations (e.g. apps). We are breeding a generation of mumblers and babblers who reduce speech to a monosyllabic form and cannot compose a meaningful sentence.

However, blogs abound and some are very helpful, especially in the realm of Christian thought, conviction, faith and discussion. But there is one category that is quite disconcerting at times. Ideas, beliefs, principles may be commended and contended for with either appropriate gentleness or necessary tenacity, but messages of lofty prescriptiveness and formulaic methods for efficiency in Christian life and ministry engender a disposition of dubiety (e.g. "ten ways to achieve this" and "seven ways to avoid that").

Who are these sages of self-satisfaction and success? One trembles at the apparent temerity. Most young ministers, boosted by an exaggerated sense of their centrality to the cause of God, believe that they possess all the clues to super-competence in the fulfilment of their vocation.

Personal preferences and experiences cannot be imposed upon others given the wide diversity of personality and situation among believers. Habits of personal piety that are congenial for some are not appropriate or beneficial for others; witness the variation in advice rendered by those considered to be eminent in the faith or spiritual direction and development (How you must conduct private devotions, their content, order, and duration. How your ministry will be made more effective). Christian discipline and duty are mandatory for all followers of the Lord Jesus but flexibility and adaptation are permissible in every Christian life. Our individual constitutions differ and so much importance is attributed to the visible. Improvement is not being disparaged here, but rather the imposition of certain styles and behaviors that appeal to and are apt for certain individuals, as they may have discovered, but which are not compulsory for all.

How many of us have tried to imitate revered saints of God only to discover that we are of a different type in makeup and appropriate habit? The result is not laxity but a certain relaxation in God's formation of our true selves in Christ. Ardour and effort are not reduced but we are enabled to exit from the copycat mentality that can legalistically be adopted. We must be honest before God and not compliment ourselves on perceived attainments. We cry to him from our poverty of soul.

It's as if our way, outlook, and procedures are entirely and sufficiently God's way that they must become the universal rule for others. There are essential elements in our walk with God. We know them. There are aspirations and actions necessary to ministry. We entertain and observe them but there are also conditions not susceptible to glib analysis and simplistic instruction. Our judgment of others must not be hasty or hurtful.

Life is complex, and so is Christian service, and it is not only complicated by our limitations, faults, and circumstances. It is constantly under savage attack from the archenemy of God and righteousness who deploys his ingenious and evil strategies relentlessly. Our neat blueprints can be surprisingly disrupted or destroyed. They may also have a soporific effect that lulls us into false confidence and complacency. Sometimes our schemes for success betray an underlying Pelagianism and self-congratulatory self-esteem. How "chuffed" we feel when we think that we have matters nicely under control - "O Lord, wasn't it good and noble of me to spend ample time with you this morning!" God sometimes makes our lives messy to make us meek.

Some well-meaning advice can emerge from an unsuspected attitude of haughtiness in the nature of intrusiveness and invasion of personal space and dignity that ought to be avoided. Advice on preaching, for example, ought to be rendered with extreme caution, and overtly, perhaps not at all. It is interesting that Martin Lloyd-Jones in his volume on preaching does include the "how" of the exercise. Hints of improvement and correction are necessary in every ministry, even in the case of the celebrated pulpiteer, but these should never be handed down from a position of superior expertise and in an air of absolute certainty as to one's own competence and principles. Personal taste or distaste cannot rule out the presentations and possibilities that God uses. Emphasis on technique creates too much self-examination (and fascination).

In all things Christians aim to do their best for the sake of God and those whom he would bless, but ease and attractiveness of technique can foster self-admiration and boasting - if only to oneself. We love to ruminate upon successful projects. God may confuse our delivery of his word to humble and alert all to the fact that every minister is utterly dependent upon God and not his own supposed talents. The pulpit should never lead to the pedestal - for anyone. The danger of creating admirers for carnal reasons is hugely hazardous. As soon as feet of clay are detected disappointment may turn once sympathetic hearts to conflict and contempt. Ministers are viewed in strange and surprising ways by the fickle minded. But as in sartorial considerations "one suit does not fit all". God used both the "flowery" Hervey and the eccentric Berridge in the 18th century awakening.

Again, it is extremely dangerous for us to indulge ourselves in a sense of special divine favor that entitles us to advise others that our preferences and practices are best for them also. We must be moderate and cautious as to claims that God has specifically spoken to us in ways that may affect others. They are at liberty to exercise conscience and discernment as much as we. There is evidence of colossal mistakes in this area of subjective conviction and variation in mood. As passionately as we feel about the way we function God uses variety through different persons and in accord with wherever he has placed them. God may train, restrain, and direct us in ways that are meant to fashion us given our unique qualities and quirks. The former he must perfect; the latter he must erase. We are not to afflict others with our pet proclivities that seem the norm to us. Many of these tendencies and notions are not necessarily good and God may not approve after all (on subsequent sober reflection on our part).

Humble counsel coupled with encouragement is always welcome. We can all share our weakness and imperfections in a tactful, non-competitive, and understanding manner in fellowship with and before the One who dispenses all spiritual gifts and will increase them upon sincere and patient request.

Christian service is not for display or public approbation. And Christian preaching is not performance with praise in view. The apostle Paul was not equal in oratory and personal charm to the "super apostles" who rivalled his efforts, not his genuineness, in attempts at evangelism and edification. "But I do not think I am in the least inferior to the 'super-apostles'. I may not be a trained speaker, but I do have knowledge (2 Corinthians 11: 5-6b. Also refer to chapters 10 & 11 in full). Paul emphasizes the power of the Spirit, not the power of the personality. It is the Lord Jesus who is to be shown and extolled. That is our overriding aim in all that we so inadequately enterprise. The reward in preaching and hearing is to see and adore him. None of us deserves either privilege.

But if we look for and to our lovely Redeemer in all things - forgive the reference not made in irreverence - we may, in a merry and sanctified way, be "as pleased as Punch".

The Rev. Roger Salter is an ordained Church of England minister where he had parishes in the dioceses of Bristol and Portsmouth before coming to Birmingham, Alabama to serve as Rector of St. Matthew's Anglican Church

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