A few off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts for Jason, in response to your post and vid in Facebook:
It seems to me that everybody in varying degrees is a "heretic." The question becomes for all: "in what manner and to what degree can we extract that element of truth each of us?" This is often where the real work of the Christian is for all of us. Christ reveals Himself in all of us, but He does not reveal all of Himself in any of us. There are usually no clear lines of where He is and where we begin – is usually a broad band of circular gradations that encompasses us all. However, once you get to the core of either… you just know what they really are…
When it comes to communicating the Gospel, "Style" cannot be mistaken for "Substance," but "Style" cannot in most cases be mitigated either... because it is "Style" that may make the "Substance" accessible, to those for whom we cannot access.
Perhaps, instead of people taking on the exclusive role of "an authority" in these matters, we should simply (albeit sometimes passionately) offer our humble perspective and let the Holy Spirit do His work from there.
Again, remember: Despite our best efforts and our most disciplined work we always speak, write and live out of some degree of heresy – sometime pathologically so…. There are many, many Christians for example who appear on the "outside" in terms of their actions, as flawless. But, it would not be rare for many of those same people, when it comes to their inward motivation, for it to be goaded into existence from deepest parts of hell itself. For most, the dynamic of our fallen nature militates this and the noetic affects of sin, on some level, would damn us to it.
It is precisely because of these issues, that humility, grace and love towards one another are so important. I always find it odd that for two millennium that when it comes to truth, the church always appear to be susceptible to majoring in the minors and minoring in the majors. Indeed, this phenomenon is what drives so many denominations – all 30,000 of them. I think it clear that Christians should always work to live out of The Core of orthodoxy and make regular pilgrimages to the edge. But I don't think we should live only on the edge, and then self-righteously wonder and judge the validity of The Core. Often times, these are the people who stand over scripture instead of under it.
This DOES NOT MAKE TRUTH RELATIVE... IT JUST MAKES US RELATIVE TO THE TRUTH.
By Way of Example:
Recently Jason, I responded to your comments about Rob Bell. He is a prime example (as well as Tony Jones) of what I am talking about. He has much to say and has been a blessing to many… His approach and some of his perspectives have been enlightening and life giving. On the other hand, I roundly disagree on his position regarding the Virgin Birth… I just wonder if he is trying too hard to appeal to the Enlightenment Spirit in order to be relevant. From my perspective he is playing with fire as it relates potentially to the core of our orthodoxy. Does that make him a person that we should not listen to? Not necessarily, but perhaps a bit more circumspectly – graciously so… on this specific matter. We did this historically with many of the early church Fathers I think we can afford to do this with people like him as well.
The problem is in too many cases, we want to be lazy and look for the "fire-and-forget" teachers and theologians, so that we can be confident enough that no matter what they say, we have nothing to fear and we can always direct someone to them… Those people are VERY RARE. The work of Spiritual Direction, Formation and Discipleship is hard work and it is our responsibility to do what is necessary for those souls the Lord has given to us. We are not consultants… we are Vassal ambassadors whose purpose it is to represent our Suzerain in all things well.
Feel free to respond... The vitality of your "community" endeavor depends on much of what has been discussed!
Blessings Brothers!
Rich
