Predictability

I don't like it when people are predictable.

Granted, I often fall into the predictable category on many occasions (i.e. "I knew you were going to say that", or "let me guess, no cheese, lettuce or mayonnaise"). I'm not talking about that kind of predictability. That comes from people knowing you well and being with you often. That's nice.

The kind of predictability I'm talking about is more of a "party line" mentality. It appears all across the spectrum of human experience, but it is most bothersome to me when it shows up in the Church. Let me give some examples:

1. Some theologians and church leaders from the traditional and conservative wing of the American evangelical church assume that if you are a member of their denominations you must, therefore, wear suits, appreciate only certain kinds of music for worship, read long tomes by Charles Hodge, and only speak about theology in certain ways. You must NEVER, therefore, use the terms "missional" or "narrative", change the format of worship services, or have a tatoo. This is definitely a bit of hyperbole meant to highlight the differences. I am a member of a traditional and conservative denomination, I like suits, and I appreciate the very old hymns. I also count many of these people as my friends and role models.

2. Some theologians at the other end of the evangelical spectrum seem to think that they've discovered truths long forgotten by the Western church. Traditional churches, they believe, have no idea what it means to be "authentic", "a community", "missional", or "pursuing shalom". Maybe churches made up of older people have all of these things, to a certain extent, just in a way that is less cutting edge. You wouldn't think so to read some from the emerging church movement. Again, also hyperbolic. But you get the idea.

Both sides are very fond of recommended reading lists. I am also very fond of such things. But both sides also imply that Christians need to choose their list and steer clear of the other. You can't read B.B. Warfield one day and Lesslie Newbigin the next. Some books are "dangerous" (Blue Like Jazz on the one side, and anything critical of the emerging church on the other). Telling me not to read something is a pretty sure way to guarantee that I'll read it.

I really don't like predictability. This is why I like people like Donald Miller, Phillip Ryken, Tim Keller, the guys at liberti, Mark Driscoll, and Aaron Messner. These guys are not predictable. They are surprising, challenging, and refreshing. You might listen to one sermon where they exhort people to cling to the truth of the Gospel and another sermon where they call people to be involved in social justice and communal ministry in poor neighborhoods. That's the way things should be.

Party lines and predictability are bad because they impose the beliefs of mortal men and women on the hearts and minds of other mortal men and women. Only the most delusional individuals or movements claim to have it all together theologically or spiritually. Our only sure guide is God's Word. Tradition is helpful, debate is helpful, innovation is helpful, but all of these must be measured up against the perfect standard of Scripture.