Comments on: A review of Full Gospel, Fractured Minds? By Rick Nanez.

By: Amanda

Amanda — Mon, 06 Nov 2006 11:33:40 +0000

Absolutely agree. There’s something about the human soul which is passionate. If we can scream for some mud-covered guy at a footy match, but can’t scream with joy for God at a church service occasionally, like David did before the ark, something’s wrong.
On the other hand, God gave us a mind to use it. Think about it, God wouldn’t have gone to the trouble of giving us the ability to think if He didn’t want us to do it.
A friend of mine got saved at a Pentecostal youth rally and then went to a vibrant Christian church for the next few years. I saw her love and passion for God grow but over time she felt like she wasn’t being fed enough “meat”. Secular worldviews were being thrown at her every day (from friends and from her university) and she was from an intelligent but unsaved family.
We definitely need to use both our mind and emotions which is why I hope the churches that are rapidly growing in Australia catch onto this (I’d love to see Hillsong/Planet Shakers/CCC/etc. get involved with Summit ministries for example).
I noticed a real gap in American churches while I was there. They were so intent on “Christian culture” that a lot of the intellectual stuff was left to the unsaved. I think this is changing but its certainly something we don’t want to see happen here.

Amanda Fairweather, Newcastle

By: Spencer Gear

Spencer Gear — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 21:55:07 +0000

I read Harry Blamires, The Christian Mind, many years ago (with great benefit) when I was a student in a Pentecostal Bible College that did not place “Christian thinking” in a prominent place. I note that Blamires has a follow-up book that should be a great read and thought provoker.

Harry Blamires, author of The Christian Mind and The Post-Christian Mind, speaks about his work as both a theologian and literary professor. Blamires sees the maintenance of the purity of doctrine as the chief duty of the Church even above proclamation. The contemporary Church’s failure to give doctrine a high priority has left thinking-Christians at odds with ignorant Christians and at one with many secular thinkers. Thus, Blamires has encouraged Christians to be thinkers and to discern the preconceptions which found modern culture and are antagonistic to Christian faith. Blamires comments on the secularization of British culture and the erosion of the Judeo-Christian basis for moral order. He also comments on his work in literature and the influence that his studies with C. S. Lewis had on his understanding of literature (available from: http://www.marshillaudio.org/resources/segment_detail.asp?ID=453054023 )

I endorse your call for a thoughtful Christianity that is not divorced from vibrant experience with the Spirit and the Word.

In Christ,
Spencer Gear, Queensland

By: Garth

Garth — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 06:13:27 +0000

Apologies for the length of the previous comment, Bill. I will be more succint in the future.

Victoria, I absolutely agree with your statement. Humility before God and before man is indeed the answer, and coming from Pentecostal circles I concur it is much needed.

God-given revelation renews our mind. Lately, through a personal journey, I have been challenging the veracity of what I have previously understood, and have had the opportunity to discuss much theology with knowledgeable members of other denominations and I profess to an increasing awareness of my lack of knowledge in regards to the fullness of the revelation within scripture. I now have a much stronger understanding of the need for humility.

Scriptures that I have heard a lot over the years and seem to be pivot points for avoidance of theological depth is that (1 Cor 8:1) ‘knowledge puffs up’ and that (Prov 3:5) ‘we are not to lean on our own understanding’ but overall the scriptures strongly suggest that we must seek a full knowledge of the Word and have a personal understanding of it (Him).

However the more I have learnt about the knowledge of the Word is that it truly does confound the ‘wisdom’ of the world and of the natural mind. And yes, the simplicity of the Gospel should not be confused or complicated but I believe Godly wisdom comes from seeking more knowledge through revelation not less.

Oh for a widely accepted biblical world view amongst Christians.

Garth Penglase

By: Carole DuBern

Carole DuBern — Sat, 21 Oct 2006 05:44:59 +0000

Thanks for the review and comments. I read them just after finishing a re-read of Balanced Christianity, a call to avoid unnecessary polarisation, John Stott, 1975. As well as considering Intellect-Emotion, he looks also at Conservative-Radical, Form-Freedom, Evangelism-Social Action. Well worth a hunt in the second hand book shops
Carole DuBern, Lithgow

By: Victoria Kalapac

Victoria Kalapac — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 03:47:38 +0000

Rick Nanez’s new book is great news indeed! Coming from a Pentecostal church, I am always astonished at the number of (Pentecostal) Christians who do separate the mind from a full and complete walk in Christ. From observation, one factor that I have attested this to is a lack of humility. One denomination certainly does not have “all the answers”, yet if we are humble, and acknowledge that we are constantly learning (our God is so great and vast), even from other denominations, then together we can reap a walk so holistically sound, that we can confound the world with God’s illuminated Word in us.
Victoria Kalapac, Melbourne

By: Jon Newton

Jon Newton — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 23:42:04 +0000

Gordon Fee and Rikki Watts are great examples of Pentecostal theologians. However, they are far from alone. Two outstanding Pentecostal theologians, Veli-Matti Karkainen (from Fuller) and Frank Macchia (who is editor of Pneuma, a Pentecostal theology journal), recently visited Australia. Also the faculties of Southern Cross College (AOG, Sydney), Tabor College (SA, Vic and NSW) and Harvest Bible College (AOG, Melbourne) contain some fine theologically informed Pentecostals and charismatics, many with solid earned doctorates. Also many Pentecostal and charismatic pastors are now studying for masters degrees. So while the anti-intellectualism lingers, progress is being made. Having said that, I am looking forward to reading the book you reviewed.

Jon Newton

By: Bill Muehlenberg

Bill Muehlenberg — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 11:33:53 +0000

Thanks Garth

You make a number of good points.

(Note for commentators: My blog rules do require short comments, However, there may be the place for the occasional longer one. I am told that the proper etiquette in the blogging world is for short comments to be made, and links back to a website if longer comments are desired. Thus I tend to be more lenient to those I know do not have their own website, while being more strict on those who do.)

Bill Muehlenberg, CultureWatch

By: Andrew Snowdon

Andrew Snowdon — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 10:05:44 +0000

This is good news indeed Bill.

I remember a sermon by a Christian brother who I love and respect. He tried to say that when the Bible used the word ‘know’ that it somehow meant a spiritually acquired knowledge rather than a God given ability to apprehend an idea with our mind. Rational thinking is certainly downplayed in a number of congregations I have visited.

Among my friends we have often discussed the need to possess both the power and truth of the Gospel. The apostle Paul is a perfect example of someone who could both demonstrate and defend the Gospel.

I note the diminished male presence in Pentecostal churches and wonder if it is due to the lack of reasonable doctrine. As you know I’m involved with origins issues and I see a significant difference in the level of interest between men and women. Maybe men need that component more, being less intuitive. I know someone will cry ‘sexist’ but I didn’t invent the differences, they are real, I’m just observing them. Have you noted anything similar?

Andrew Snowdon

By: Andrew Strout

Andrew Strout — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 09:44:12 +0000

What about the late Derek Prince? A man who clearly loved Jesus and had enormous intellect. I have found him to be an inspiration.

Andrew Strout

By: John Ballantyne

John Ballantyne — Wed, 18 Oct 2006 08:18:23 +0000

Well said, Bill. Your review accurately diagnoses a major problem afflicting much of today’s church.
As Charles Swindoll says, Christians don’t have to “throw away their brains and commit intellectual suicide”.
John Ballantyne, Melbourne.