Teachers and Accountability
I’m sorry for the lack of postings over the last couple of days - I’ve obviously been in a romantic swoon since Valentine’s day, such is the effect that my wife has on me!!
Despite this recent ‘amorous hiatus’ I have been continuing to think and read about the question of the Law (admittedly not really conducive to romantic feelings!) that raised some questions on this blog a few weeks ago. I promised then to publish something on the blog on my views about the Law. However, I’m going to ask those interested readers to release me from this promise for now, and for this reason:
I believe that God has called me to be a teacher of his Word and I want to be faithful to study and know his Word by the application of my own mind, spirit and relevant gifts. But I have never wanted to be a teacher in isolation, pronouncing my thoughts and opinions on a range of biblical subjects as if I was the ‘judge of all things.’ I believe that the teaching ministry is meant to operate within the context of other ministries - apostles, prophets and other teaching ministries particularly. It is not meant to be independent. Isolation and independence in the teaching ministry has caused great confusion within the Church and led to many winds of doctrine blowing God’s people all over the place. I don’t want to be part of that. Mutual accontability and apostolic oversight is one of the main protections against it.
It is not that I have changed my mind on my current understanding or that I don’t have strong feelings about the importance of this subject and the dangers of theonomy, but I don’t want to pronounce my opinions on the Law or any other major area of doctrine over the web without first being accountable to the other ministries that I am in relationship with, and for whom I thank God. I intend therefore to keep on studying this important subject, to eventually submit a ‘paper’ to other ministries - including apostles, prophets and teachers - and only then be prepared to make it available on request for anyone who is still interested. This process is therefore going to take longer than I had first thought. Whether I post it on the blog I will delay deciding for now, until the process is complete.
I hope that does not frustrate some people who had seemed to be particularly interested in my thoughts on this. And if you are not at all interested - fair enough! Enjoy life! Enjoy God!!
February 16th, 2006 @ 4:30 pm
Wow! Now I *really* want to know what you have to say!
…of course I can wait, and your attitude and approach is very wise; I’m sure your final paper will be full of the same wisdom.
February 16th, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
This is so refreshing to read. A teacher who is submitted to those gifts of Christ he works alongside. The future belongs to such men as you. I am so thrilled to read things like this; so many so called ‘teachers’ fail to understand the profound truth you have written here. We are teachers of the apostles’ teaching, not the teachers’ teaching. The greatest threat to the early church from within was not false prophets, but false teachers.
Well done, Trev.
February 16th, 2006 @ 7:48 pm
I just wanted to say that you’ve taught me through this post. There’s so much wisdom in what you’ve said here, and it comes across with real humility - thankyou.
John
February 17th, 2006 @ 12:28 am
I understand and respect you decision. I look forward to your paper and trust it will sharpen my thinking on this vital subject.
February 17th, 2006 @ 7:39 pm
Trevor - great post that gets right to the heart of one issue that the church needs to learn - submission and accountability of teaching. The relevance of biblical law to society is one area but there are many other areas of practical doctrine in which ministries need to come together to study, share, discuss and wait before the Lord so that shared convictions can be formed. Some of these areas are very sensitive and have wide-ranging implications, so it is imperative that clarity of taeching is reached across churches and leaders that work closely together.
February 18th, 2006 @ 8:59 pm
I am part of the NNC in St. Louis and stummbled upon your comments on the God’s law and its relevance today in your previous posts (after finding Gavin’s blog). I’m encouraged that as a leader you are submitting yourself to others leaders.
I look forward to reading your future thoughts on other issues, and evetually reading more on this topic. Again, I enjoy your reading your thoughts.
February 19th, 2006 @ 3:13 pm
That was an excellent post, especially when we read James 3-1.
Because those who present themselves as teachers shall receive the
Greater condemnation. 1 PETER 4-11 gives awesome responsibility
To those who claim to speak for God, psalms 11-4 The Lord is in his
Holy Temple, The Lord’s Throne is in Heaven. His eyes behold, His
Eyelids try, the children of men.
I sense brother that your theological thought’s, your intended paper
, You are not treating it as a game, may I commend you for your obvious
Fear of God and wish you well in your searching of the scriptures
February 21st, 2006 @ 1:38 pm
Perhaps romance should be conducive to thinking about the law; God talked about Isreal as his bride just as he talks about the Church (different emphasies obviously but you know what I mean), but I suppose thinking about your wife could just take up most of your brain!
About the paper thing, I also think it’s a brilliant idea, thank God for the internet! Without it, any consultive structure would have to be a lot more rigid or a lot slower. May God give you some good revelation.