Arrogant theology

May 6, 2021 (Thursday)

 

In the comic books, super heroes (and villains) like there one-line slogans. Like the one character, when in a pinch, would declare “It’s clobbering time!” Then the one, referring to himself in the 3^rd person, would declare “(name) SMASH!”

 

Whenever I get to discussing theology, that’s the way I feel. Yes, I feel like smashing and clobbering. I have these feelings because many of us approach our theology with arrogant certainty. Sometimes God has to clobber us with a new perspective.

 

Take Peter, a good Jewish boy, was a bit like concrete… all mixed up and permanently set in his theology. Until God takes His proverbial jack-hammer and smashes his cultural theology.

 

Let’s peak in on one of these gigantic, world-changing, theology smashing events. Imagine the scene: its lunch time. Peter is lounging on a roof top and gets hungry. At this point he falls into a trance and sees a vision. Heaven is open and a large sheet is lowered with all sorts of animals. God invites him to: “Kill and eat. Peter exclaimed, “Absolutely not, Lord! I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” [Acts 10:13b – 14 CEB]

 

This happened three times! “Peter was bewildered about the meaning of the vision. Just then, the messengers sent by Cornelius discovered the whereabouts of Simon’s house and arrived at the gate.” [Acts 10:17 CEB] Cornelius was a Gentile (someone who is not a Jew). If we piece this story together, he is some sort of Jewish convert or sympathizer.

 

Meanwhile, back on the roof top, “While Peter was brooding over the vision, the Spirit interrupted him, “Look! Three people are looking for you. Go downstairs. Don’t ask questions; just go with them because I have sent them.” [Acts 10:19 CEB] Another way to say this is, Peter is puzzled. You know the kind of puzzle that bothers you until you get an answer. The answer came when the Holy Spirit “interrupted him.” Imagine knowing the voice of God on the “no questions asked” (or “without hesitation”) level.

 

Peter obeys. Inside Cornelius’ house he explains, “He said to them, “You all realize that it is forbidden for a Jew to associate or visit with outsiders. However, God has shown me that I should never call a person impure or unclean.” [Acts 10:28 CEB] He preaches, they believe, the Holy Spirit falls on them, and Peter baptizes them. Happy ending… not exactly.

 

“The apostles and the brothers and sisters throughout Judea heard that even the Gentiles had welcomed God’s word. When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.” [Acts 11:1 – 2 CEB] The church has always had differences of opinion. This one went sideways because in pride, the pushed their view as the only possible correct view.

 

Peter has to defend himself. This defense was accepted by the church. And that is how people who are not Jews (Gentiles) are now in the church. Self-centered theology smashed. You think that would be the end of the story, you would think…. But….

 

In Galatians, Peter buckled to fear. “He had been eating with the Gentiles before certain people came from James. But when they came, he began to back out and separate himself, because he was afraid of the people who promoted circumcision. And the rest of the Jews also joined him in this hypocrisy so that even Barnabas got carried away with them in their hypocrisy.” [Galatians 2:12 – 13 CEB] Uggh. Here is the plague of fear, again, striking the best of the best. Somehow these people managed to intimidate Peter and Barnabas, the ultimate encourager.

 

Hopefully you have connected arrogant theology as theology that seeks to intimidate others into agreement. Here’s my advice… listen to the Holy Spirit, not your culture.