Christians aren’t the only ones with “tests” Jonathan as you know. Every group/tribe has them. They serve a practical purpose because they are quick ways to categorize people and to know where others stand on shared interests.

An obvious test for evangelicals is the “quiet time” test. I think that having a daily time of meditation and prayer with the Lord is excellent, but you won’t find “quiet time” in the Bible any more than you will find “invite Jesus into your heart.” Yet, even the “thoughtful” Reformed among us will use this term and assess others on the basis of how they are doing with their “quiet times.” The role of women in the church, social issues (abortion, birth control, etc) are additional examples.

Even though I am critiquing “tests”, I think that there is benefit in coming to a conclusion as a church/community of believers on certain issues. You can’t spend all of your time revisiting the same questions. We should exercise caution however in our assessments of the spiritual condition of others who may vary from our settled positions.

Patriotism is another test in many churches, and hence my other post, which leaves you speechless. Many could not imagine not having a USA flag in their church sanctuary. Many could not imagine criticizing our form of government or the principles on which it was founded. Obviously, I want to poke at those assumptions.

Posted in Church Life, Devotional |