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Christianity Today, May (Web-only), 2008 |

Theology in the News

No Place for Complacency

David Wells on The Courage to Be Protestant.

Interview by Collin Hansen | posted 5/16/2008 09:22AM

During the last 15 years, David Wells has cried out like a voice in the wilderness against the ills of modern evangelicalism. His latest book, The Courage to Be Protestant, conveys the essence of his ...

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lawson o.wyatt

Posted: May 22, 2008 8:12 PM

The scriptural name "The Body of Christ" should surfice for identifying The Church in the world. And this includes the 'store front" group that meets whereever. Now a body any body acts according to how the Head directs Christian is the only name I chose. Please spare me "prostatant' "LIBERAL" CONSERTATIVE OR WHATEVER. A regular part of my prayer- praying is that every where we be delivered from Religion by whatever name . Shalom

Johann

Posted: May 21, 2008 7:27 AM

Protestant? What's that? I didn't think they were still around, since no one has used that word in 35 years. Everyone is "Christian" nowadays, as if every garish megachurch or storefront "worship center" or nondenominational denomination that hangs out its shingle is so genuine and faithful a representative of Jesus Christ himself, that it wold be beneath them to admit that they are actually a manmade denomination, probably started within the last 15 years. Please people- just be honest with the world.

evangelical orthodoxy

Posted: May 20, 2008 5:18 AM

reformation truths is just another orthodoxy. Now it is important to follow the bible but not a as a legalistic cookbook. Instead, we should search the bible for the living Jesus so that he can personally teach us love for God and love for fellow men. When we are delighted with God and delighted with fellow men (and women) then we have the full gospel, through Jesus Christ. I am always worried about evangelicals focussing on knowledge and knowledge of the scriptures as if the following of the bible can be done as a "cookbook". No amount of head-knowledge can save you; just as no amount of orthodox ritual can save you. Only the God who surprises even the educated can save!

Charles

Posted: May 19, 2008 4:48 PM

This articles points out the self righteous attitude of Wells, who apparently thinks that he has the proper perspective on all matters of faith, protestant or not. Leroy's comment about Wells undercutting his own credibility by crawling into bed with a highly skill Hollywood film matter to turn his book into a movie, DVD or whatever crass commercial end he has in mind is well spot on. That CT itself did not point out the hypocricy of this is a little surprising. Wells is shrill and shallow and ought to be called out for his own crass hypocricy.

Dave	Posted: May 18, 2008 8:31 AM


I think Hansen has got it right. The church is trying hard to be something other than the church. We want to engage the culture and not run away from it, but we want to always be the church, a counter-cultural institution that speaks prophetically to the world around us. Let us get back to what we have been called to be.

TJ	Posted: May 17, 2008 7:18 PM

Pablo, the Bible itself says that the Spirit leads people to Christ. John, sarcasm helps no one. Besides, to your dismay, a little research will show that Dr. Neff is very much in favor of reading with the "church fathers" and the Great Tradition (not that it matters, but so am I). Sergey, you will win more hearers with honey than with vinegar. It seems unlikely to me that you come from a tradition in which your deepest convictions are never abused or misinterpreted by deviant groups. I am sure that there is probably not a month that goes by on this website and magazine where someone in some article or blog does not criticize the "health and wealth" gospel.

Pablo Vermillion

Posted: May 17, 2008 1:37 PM

Sola Scritura is the basis of our doctrine and faith. The problem with today´s churches is that we often think we have the right to interpret the Scriptures how we would like rather than with proper contextual and exegetical understanding. The Bible and only the Bible can bring people to Christ. It contains the Gospel which is the power of God to salvation and which provides us doctrine and practical teaching and principles for true Christian discipleship and living. Marketing a church is okay, but not if those who arrive there do not get challenged to true faith and discipleship.

Terry

Posted: May 17, 2008 9:33 AM

I think the main problem is in the authority of the church. Who is the authority? Who has it right? Who can argue with someone who claims the spirit told them the scriptures mean something that in another persons mind may mean something else. The scripture claims the church is the pillar and foundation of truth. How could the truth have several different meanings? Who has the truth? Which church is the pillar of truth, not just a church with the nicest people or the pastor who makes me feel good about God. Keep searching.

David L

Posted: May 16, 2008 5:09 PM

In fairness to the early reformers, Luther in particular, the idea of Sola Scriptura in charismatic and even in contemporary Christian circles is something different than the early the reformers idea. Those reformers looked to the understanding and teachings of earlier pastors in finding help to determine what scripture was saying. Modern protestants often look to their own feelings and understandings.

Sergey

Posted: May 16, 2008 4:54 PM


Reinventing protestantism. sounds really silly. Where is the standard for reinvention? Sola scripture. Don't make me laugh when I look on psychotic pentecostals, or "wealth and health doctrines" They are all started with sola scripture.

John Hale

Posted: May 16, 2008 2:13 PM


Wow, a CT article where someone writing from the perspective of traditional evangelical Protestantism isn't being pejoratively labeled a fundamentalist or told to ditch the Reformation for the church fathers and the Great Tradition.

Maurice

Posted: May 16, 2008 1:07 PM

A provocative article that nearly hits the ball out of the park. More attention to the twin towers of selling out to consumerism and the self delusion of para church evolution would have focused on the Great Disappointment. Obsession with the Hand of God versus the Face of God that spawns the growth of narcistic humanism. God is not impressed. Moving out of the covering of Godly leadership seeds faith without context and religious gymnastics that are self serving. Always a challenge to Glorify God and still enjoy Him forever (not ourselves). Reformed theology needs to integrate a healthy Sphere Sovereignty (God as Lord of all) with a joyful worship (More God to rejoice in). This integration will promote a healthy Church transforming culture. Jesus modeled this rather well. Praise His Wonderful Name.

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