Comments on: Shallow Thinking in the Church

By: Macmajii

Macmajii — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 04:21:00 +0000

The ‘more’ they seek is…God. We can give them theology, baptism in water, ceremonies and gospel concerts. But only God can give them Himself. Until we address this above all else, everything we do will be empty at best.

Something’s wrong when we can’t even heal the sniffles in our church services anymore…

By: Tatyana

Tatyana — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

What reason them will be intellectual? In order to take the responsibility their own acts and determinations (decree)? In order to understand that they shall do about they preach? Easier said on the question “The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men?” – “We do not know”!

Their shallow thinking is deliberate! They choose it deliberately, because they had already collided with hard truth and they did not like it! They repudiated the Truth!

They know the depth very good. Better than you think! They know: if they “had a deep intellectual bench” they should repent their own acts and determinations (decree). Namely it they avoid.

The shallow thinking is comfortable mode of live without the repent!

Sorry my English language.

By: Peter Smythe

Peter Smythe — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

The Gospel doesn’t need to be dumbed down nor do ministers need seminary training to fulfill their calling. What’s missing is the man who grasps the solids of the gospel narrative and who can communicate them effectively; there’s not a famous name that can do that today.

By: M K Shaji

M K Shaji — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Its the passion to know more about Jesus… That really matters. Compare and study the personality of St.Paul and of St.Peter. The ardent desire to know teacher gave them the depth and strength. Yes the church suffer from the shallow thinking.

By: Jon Anderhub

Jon Anderhub — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Right on Jay!!!

By: JKP

JKP — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I’m so happy that someone has pointed this out and I’m not just some well-read snob. It’s quite disheartening to be told to”dumb-down” one’s message for Joe Q Christian. It’s even more disheartening to listen to preachers butcher the english language, mispronounce biblical names and places,and interpret scripture in a manner that makes me want to stick a fork in my eye…I think it would be less painful. Because one wears the label of teacher/preacher,one should never cease being the eager student.
The Apostle Paul is a stellar example of an intellectual leader who was alert and adaptable to political,social,and cultural changes and thus, never lost his relevancy and influence. Even King Agrippa, after Paul’s discourse in Acts 26, stated,”Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.” That same Apostle Paul, upon his impending death, asked Timothy for a few items:his coat,his books, and especially his parchments. Enough said.

By: Anthony Peterson

Anthony Peterson — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

Spot on – and this is typically seen in the handling of church finances. If we can’t be accountable in the quantative issues (like publishing quarterly financial statements) then how the heck can we be accountable in qualitative or subjective matters?

Low intelligence in ministry never ceases to amaze me. I’ve spent years asking very simple questions over our use of television. Questions like, what do you want to achieve and how can that be measured? TV is expensive – but compared to what? What is a reasonable financial investment in bringing someone to a point of responding to the Gosepl? and why? Compared to what?

All I hear is deathly silence, or commments like “I don’t know anyone who thinks like you.” I

By: Randy

Randy — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

When I entered into the ministry, those with seminary degrees were said to not have any “annointing” due to their book learning. Amoung us Pentecostals was a feeling that the “Spirit” couldn’t move under a learned individual. Now, with degrees and seminary, I am considered one of those. I believe ministers, as well as all Christians, need to continue with their learning. It keeps the river of life flowing and not stagnating in our lives. You’re not too harsh, probably not harsh enough. It is known that sheep cannot rise above the shephard. Maybe that is why so many sheeple seem to follow after every doctrine and fad that comes into our home on the television. Nobody does their homework and ck’s things out, they run to their all knowing ministers for direction when many of them haven’t a clue either.

By: Bree

Bree — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

I think that is absolutely true, however, there is also a huge risk of producing intellectuals who don’t know how to convey the truths they have struggled with and understood to everyday parishioners, and struggle to connect with people where they are at, so that they can move them forward in their walk with God!

As a theological student, I think its essential to have a top quality theological education behind you, and you absolutely MUST be well read, and love learning.

But if you can’t work out how to convey all that intellect to local people in an edifying way, then you end up just being another intellectual… which, when it comes down to it, really doesn’t serve God’s people! It’s not just about intellect… but intellect, mixed with people skills, an understanding of your local community and the people in it, and all of this guided by a passionate love for our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and an honest, deep, willingness to serve however possible!

By: Jay Moussa

Jay Moussa — Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000

God uses the foolish things of the world to shame the wise. It is not intellect that is the problem but a true love and knowledge of the Word of God. It is only when the preacher does not understand the Word of God or even really understands Jesus, that his teaching becomes shallow, simplistic and weak.