Since Aug 19th of this year, I have been an emotional outsider among Godbloggers. I have wandered and read widely, commented infrequently, but for the most part remained an interested but quiet onlooker. My own posts have been few, especially since the death of my mother in early October.

Now, as I begin to re-enter the community of online believers, I thought I would pass along some observations and realizations that have come to me during my brief (all-too-brief, some might suggest) hiatus or sabbatical. I have no one particular in mind – for the most part – as I comment; many of the conclusions apply to me as well. When the latter is the case, the heading is bold and italicized; where I do not see myself, the heading is simply bold. Feel free to suggest my inclusion in other categories, even as I will feel free to totally ignore your input.

Here, then, in no particular order, are some of the things I’ve learned and concluded over the past five months or so of “lurking, sneaking, and spying” on y’all.

Doctrinal Divisiveness: So many people seem to be far too interested in distancing themselves from others by focusing on the issues and doctrines that divide us rather than accepting the differences and enjoying the diversity in the cyber-Body of Christ. This seems to be more prevelant among Reformed and charismatic bloggers, although in neither case do these island-dwellers constitute the majority. You’re Reformed and I’m not (at least by your definition); you’re charismatic and I’m not: so what? If you want to explain why you believe what you believe, defending it exegetically or at least theologically, I’ll read it happily. If you just want to make dogmatic statements and attack those who disagree, shut up: by keeping your mouth shut, we won’t know that you’re a fool.

It should go without saying that I refer only to non-essential articles of our common faith: it should go without saying but, given the pugnacious nature of some militant jihadists, I have to dumb down to rule out ridiculous comments and accusations.

Sports, Politics, & Hollywood: From an eternal perspective, does it really matter who wins the World Series, what politician D said about politician R, or who’s having whose baby? Now, if any of these topics are tied to a biblical principle or text and used to illustrate a point, that’s great; far too often, however, some blogs are little more than sport, political, or entertainment gossip columns. Sports and entertainment are diversions, drawing our attention away from more important things. Politics, on the other hand, are near-idols for some people: they seem to have more hope and faith in a Republican candidate than they do in the God who controls history. We are told to pray for those in authority over us, not to attempt to disparage or demean them. I’ve lived long enough to know that this country goes in cycles or, if you prefer, that it swings like a pendulum. Relax. Pray. Work on being a citizen of the Kingdom first and foremost. Christianity does not depend on the United States for its survival or well-being – although the converse is certainly true.

Confession vs. Catharsis: There is a difference between confessing a wrong-doing and spilling your guts just for the sake of feeling better for having said something. Note the italics: I have been guilty of this in the past. Confession is biblical and necessary for growth; catharsis is whining with no intent of changing. I’ll listen to confessions but I’d just as soon not have someone vomit their emotional bile all over me. If you’re struggling, that’s fine: I’ll listen and try to encourage. If all you’re doing is complaining about how miserably life and God have treated you and how underappreciated and misunderstood you are, then (a) do something about it or (b) get over yourself. Don’t expect me to join your pity party: I can throw one for myself just fine and don’t need to attend yours.

Psychology Drives Theology: Long ago I heard Bill Gothard say (when he wasn’t idolizing mommy and daddy) that “your morality determines your theology.” Sounds profound, but I don’t think it’s true. What is closer to the truth – although I wouldn’t die on this hill – is that your psychology influences and chooses your theology more than you might realize. Are you narcissistic? Then a church that trumpets and reveres your knowledge and wisdom – even to the point of allowing you to pass judgment on the Bible – is likely where you’ll wind up. Insecure and rigid? Find a church that nails everything down and leaves no room for antinomies or mystery. Flamboyant and histrionic? Join a church where being out-of-control is evidence of spirituality. Psychology-driven theology is apparent when people are a little too passionate about one or more of the non-essentials of our faith. It is not that their response is necessarily inappropriate; it is that their response is inordinate: questioning cessationism and continuationism evoke more passion than the Deity of Christ or the infallibility of the Bible. Something’s going on there and it’s not about theology.

Polemics: This is related to doctrinal divisiveness but gets a separate heading simply because I want to give it one. There is a strong tendency on the part of some to become more and more extreme as their views are questioned or challenged. Sadly, the exchange often devolves into a two-way street: both parties become more and more radical in their positions and wind up defending things that are perhaps logical but not biblical. Emotions overwhelm the debate and the platform – originally intended to be used for an edifying exchange of information – is transformed into an octagon of ultimate fighting.

Narcissistic Posts: Or, in some cases, narcissistic blogs. It’s all about me and what I think and feel and endure and suffer. Other people’s problems are insignificant compared to mine. People lost everything in a hurricane? Yeah, well, I don’t like my job and that’s all I want to talk about or focus on right now. Someone has said nasty or untrue things about me? Well, I’m coming after them with guns blazing. Ready! Fire! Aim! I am above reproach, not to be questioned, never to be confronted. Agree or pay the price. When I die, surely all wisdom will die with me.

Democracy Is Dangerous, Especially with Blogs: Bill Gnade, quoting Prof. Demos, wrote:

According to Plato there is a true right and wrong, which is a universal principle for all times . . . He objected to democracy, because a democratic society has no standards; the test is merely self-expression. The democratic life is one without a pattern, in which every desire is gratified because it is there, not because it is right.”

Mr. Gnade goes on to argue – rightly – that democracy leads many to believe that their own opinion is as valuable and viable as any one else’s, despite how ignorant, untrained, or inexperienced the original blogger might be. It is evident when, for example, someone theologically and psychologically trained (like me) takes it upon himself to pontificate about the nuances and problems with the Christian music industry. I know nothing about Christian music – I don’t buy it, listen to it, or even like 99% of it – but in my democratic dementia, I think my opinion should be valued just as much as someone who has been in the industry for years and years. This is not just stupidity; this is hubris. I need to defer to the experts and learn for a long time before believing I have something to say. Ask questions? Sure. Make declarative statements? Zip it.

Good People Are Among Us: This is one of the wonderful things I discovered as I wrestled through my difficult period. Some good men and women stuck by me, encouraged me, and prayed for me – even though I’ve met none of them face-to-face. These are people of integrity, whose word means something, and who understands love and patience. “Many a person proclaims their own loyalty,” Solomon said, “but a trustworthy person, who can find?” I found more than a few: Tim, Milton, Matt, William, Rey, Funky, and many other women and men who left comments and sent emails encouraging me during this time. When you’re deep in a hole, it’s nice to hear voices of people at the top calling down to you, letting you know you’ve not been forgotten.

Struggling is not leprosy, although in our sanitized churches we tend to treat it as such at times. Doubts can be contagious, it must be admitted, but it is better to go through them with someone rather than face them alone or abandon someone else until they’re “over it.”

Nice but not Necessary: I enjoy blogging most of the time and enjoy reading much of what others have to say. I’ve learned that some of the popular, controversial blogs hurt my relationship with God more than they help, so I’ve deleted them from my reading list. Plus, it makes it very hard to love my brothers in Christ when they act like spoiled brats.

Most importantly, though, I’ve learned that blogs and blogging are nice but not necessary. I really didn’t miss it when I stopped; I’m starting again only because of a sense of “calling” (although I don’t believe in “callings” as popularly imagined). If it all shut down tomorrow, that would be OK. I lived 55 years without blogs, the church survived c. 2K years without them, and I’m sure God can accomplish His purposes with or without blogs.

So I’ll enjoy it when I can, ignore it when I need to, and try to keep the whole thing in perspective. Maybe it will go better for me if I approach it in this way.


2 Cor 1:13