Conforming Christian Theology to Personal Ideologies
29 Jun 2006
Do you remember the old Neil Diamond song, “I Am, I Said”? Lot’s of folks are singing it these days; at least they’re adhering to its philosophy. They really believe that saying they are something makes them whatever they say they are. For instance, no one has to convert to Christianity anymore, adopting its cardinal doctrines as personal convictions. Instead, you can now conform Christian theology to your personal ideology. All you have to do is say that you are a Christian. Afterward, whatever you profess can be passed off as Christianity and any real Christian disagreeing with you can be condemned as intolerant.
America’s Episcopal Church, with its election of a gay bishop and endorsing of same-sex unions, has been drawing outside the lines of Christian orthodoxy for some time now. As a result, the leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, Archbishop Rowan Williams, has decided to finally reign in this renegade branch of the world’s third largest denomination. Rev. Williams is calling for all Anglicans, including America’s Episcopalians, to sign a “covenant” of shared theology. Those who agree to do so will retain full status in the global Anglican Communion, while all who refuse to do so will forfeit their status and be banned from the Communion’s decision-making process.
No church or denomination can permit itself to be daily redefined by the whims and fancies of each and everyone of its individual members. If it did, it would soon defy definition and cease to be identifiable. For instance, if the Anglican Communion permits American Episcopalians to constantly redraw the lines of Anglicanism, it will soon be impossible to pin down who Anglicans are, since they will be in a constant state of doctrinal flux with no predictable future creed.
When it comes to the Christian faith, it is its distinguishing cardinal doctrines that define it and demand conversion as the sole means of association with it. In other words, it is not one’s boast but one’s beliefs that distinguishes them as a Christian. Saying I’m a Christian no more makes me a Christian than saying I’m a car makes me an automobile. As the Apostle Paul pointed out, becoming a Christian is not a mere matter of words—“I am, I said”—but of power—a powerful, life transforming encounter with Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 4:20). All who are acquainted with the risen Lord will adopt Biblical doctrine as personal conviction. Anyone who doesn’t is definitely no Christian, having obviously never met the Savior whose Word they spurn.
Contrary to popular belief, Christianity is not conformable to individual beliefs and preferences. Becoming a Christian necessitates conversion to Christ and adherence to Christian doctrine. Sorry, but you don’t get to call yourself a Christian and then proceed to change the Christian faith into whatever suits your fancy. Instead, to become a Christian you must surrender yourself to Christ in faith so that He can change you into whatever suits His sovereign plans and purposes.
Don Walton
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