Pragmatic Orthodoxy

It seems like the orthodoxy of today's Church is pragmatism. The "need" for theology seems to be diminishing for many evangelicals, being replaced with the how-to's of "doing" church. I don't think this has happened intentionally (the dimming of theology). Many evangelical leaders have admirable goals to reach the lost and disciple believers. But these leaders have maintained just enough biblical theology to keep them from being heretics. However, I think heresy may only be a generation away.

The fundamental element of a high view of the Church as the Bride and joy of Christ has seemingly been forgotten. This has happened as theology has vaporized from our seminaries and our pulpits. In an effort to be practical and to apply truth, leaders have missed the mark. Application has the tendency to become man-centered if it is not grounded in truth. And as pragmatism has grown, truth has been left in the dust.

An example of this is in the area of evangelism. Rather than holding to the biblical view that it is God who saves, the Church has spurred the notion that individuals are responsible for saving people. Evangelistic methodology leaves behind the sovereignty of God in favor for submission to His working. It's all done in good faith. Numbers are defended as souls, leaders argue. But Christ's mandate to go to all the World and make disciples was never defined by methodology or numbers. Instead, He said, "as you are going." It is a lifestyle, not a method, or a task. Contemporary leaders argue that their methodology is a lifestyle, but this is not true. Furthermore, Jesus' mandate was under girded by truth. "All that are mine," He said, would be saved. This means that the blood of the lost is not on the hands of individuals. I'm not suggesting a laissez-faire attitude. Rather, I'm proposing that believers ought to be so saturated by the truth that their speech and their actions is at all times evangelistic, not just at moments in a method. Further explanation is needed for the critics, but I think the point stands. Proof enough is that most evangelicals, even the ones trained in methodology, can clearly articulate what the Gospel actually is.

If Jesus is the Head of the Church, and the Church is his Bride and joy, then we who are members of the Body ought to live as subjects of the King. Instead, we act as executives who can rewrite the rules and cook the books, much like many current corporate scandals. Listen to many evangelical pastors and you'll hear them talk more about what numbers they're running in Sunday School than in the real life changes that should be taking place in the Body. Truth will bring about such change, not pragmatism.

If the tide is to turn from an orthodoxy of pragmatism, to an orthodoxy of truth, it must begin in the pulpits. Furthermore, the seminaries must be guarded, as Paul instructed Timothy to guard the trust that had been given to him. As truth transforms lives, real change will come about. Not the kind of change that makes for good books or sell-out conferences, but real dynamic life-change, wrought by the Holy Spirit. The Church will then look like its biblical definition, those who are Christ's, not an event to attract unbelievers.

I hope that in my own life I can really get this. The little Pharisee inside of me likes pragmatism. It's measurable, and that feels good. But God delights in obedience, not a sacrifice (methodology). That is exactly what became of Israel. They prided themselves in their system (not a bad system). But the point of the system was not the system itself. And so our methodology should not be an end in and of itself. Rather, application, when it is grounded in truth, points to a God who saves and sanctifies for His own pleasure, not our gratification. So in my own life, I must begin not with a method, but with a personal relationship that is to the credit of Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory!