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Frank Viola | Beyond Evangelical
Official Blog of Author & Speaker Frank Viola. Digging below the surface and moving beyond the shallows in today's Christianity.
Pettiness
A legalistic spirit/mindset makes you mean and petty. I used to be just like that woman, but God got through to me fortunately. Not getting offended over silly things is something that has to be practiced conciously by some of us, until our senses are trained to discern what’s important and on point. Sure makes life more pleasant for everyone and keeps the blood pressure down. I’m still passionate about lots of controversial things, but refuse to let that interfere with or become anywhere as important as the fellowship of Christ.
Great post Frank. It always saddens my heart when it seems to me the Lord has something He wants to show or share with someone through me and they end up getting caught up on something else in turn preventing them from even hearing or going there. I know that isn’t exactly the point you were making but I see it a lot. It’s almost as if there is something that hinders some from hearing. I pray that our ears become fully unstopped and our eyes be fully lightened.
Completely off topic: Frank, thanks for plowing the ground like this. You inspire me to keep going. Seriously, I appreciate the trail you’re blazing for so many others. Bless you!
A former pastor of mine once taught that if you disagreed with one single thing a Christian author/speaker taught, no matter how tiny, you should never read/listen to them again. When I heard this, I was shocked…and (ironically) I strongly disagreed with him.
Although it’s certainly wise for a Christian to not fill his head with what he knows to be false teaching, it is also imperative to keep in mind that no human has ever had, nor will they ever have, perfect theology/doctrine. Therefore, it is impossible to find a teacher who “gets everything right.” Plus, if a Christian only listens to teaching that agrees with everything he believes, that demonstrates that he thinks he *does* have perfect theology/doctrine. That is the epitomy of arrogance.
So, I think that by reading/listening to Biblical teachers who we don’t agree with on everything, it opens us up to learning something that we may have gotten wrong all this time. And, it strengthens our critical thinking skills so we don’t get in a habit of just accepting whatever teaching we hear as fact…which better equips us to be on a guard in case we later encounter genuine false teaching.
I hate having to encourage the Christians in my life to be “more open-minded,” because there is *way* too much of that in our society, but in some cases, it’s totally necessary. I agree with you wholeheartedly that we as a group are so *terribly* petty, and it can only lead to division. 1 Corinthians 1:11-13
Thank you for having the courage to speak what is on your heart even though you know some will get offended. It is delightfully refreshing.
Thx. for the encouragement. You make a great point on a related subject — doctrinal views and interpretations, which are more significant than a word or illustration that someone doesn’t like (“britches”). Nonetheless, the principle is very applicable. I appreciate you sharing your wisdom.
Don’t we learn in binaries? What we believe to be true or not, the unheard or unfamiliar with what we are familiar with or have experience with? I always read everything, especially when I do not agree fully. This gives me a reason to research their position and reaffirm mine. Once in awhile I am moved to see things differently, in which case I may be the better for having an informed position or at least, an updated one. It appears that those who are only able to focus on one word or phrase has maxed out their cognitive ability; all following information, no matter how well it is logically or sequentially introduced, will not be assimilated to create the big picture desired by the author.
I’ve run into *some* Christians with a pet doctrine/view that they force into every conversation. I was recently talking with a few believers, and while we were sharing various beautiful things about Jesus Christ, one person kept steering us back to the evils of evolution and their opinion on taking Genesis literally. It was like we were speaking English and one person was interjecting in Chinese. It just didn’t fit. (Not that those issues are unimportant.) While we were being transformed by the great conversation, this one person was getting visibly upset about public schools, Bible interpretation, etc., and missing the whole point of the conversation. It is sad that these issues often become a source of division and bitterness and impede the flow of Christ’s life in the body.
There are so many people with the same mind-set of that woman. If all that energy were spent on building the Kingdom instead of tearing it down, what would the Kingdom look like? I am reminded of that scripture where it talks about people who should be eating the meat of the Word, but are still drinking milk like babies. Heb. 5:12 It’s not natural. We need to grow up. Instead of looking for the worst, let’s search for the best. The best phrase in a talk, the best moment in a gathering. That special “unction” that speaks to our soul.
I don’t say this in judgement. I am thankful that one day God saw fit to look beyond my faults and save me anyway. Jesus has been my best friend ever since. I continue in his leading, in study and prayer as he continues to reveal his ways to me.
Recently I was in a gathering and looked around as we were all worshiping. I thought, “How beautiful Jesus is. So many different lives and situations, one person (any individual) could never be able to help everyone. But Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, can touch every single one and help them, whatever their need.”
I just want to thank you, Frank, for your faithfulness in Christ. In spite of being misunderstood and such pettiness, you continue to minister the centrality and supremacy of Christ in all things. May you continue to minister Christ into the saints, such as myself.
Rough day today. Thanks for the encouragement and being sensitive to the Spirit. We are nothing, Christ is everything. Psalm 115:1.
On the one hand I am nodding in agreement. On the other hand I am narrowing my eyes in caution.
As one who in walking in the equipping gift of prophet, I do listen very, very intently when anyone, regardless of station or status, seeks to verbally teach, minister, or preach The Kingdom. It’s what I do. I am unapologetic in this, as you might have surmised.
So I can understand, from one perspective, her focus on one thing you said. Yet I can also see her being willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater, as well. It’s an uneasy balance.
Martin Luther, for example, brought forth The Reformation with his 95 Theses. To this day we all feel that impact. Some speak highly of Luther in that action, and think that is all he ever did. Yet I know that later on, Luther delved into anti-semitic writings and teachings. So do I throw away his 95 Theses as being useless because later on he got loopy, or do I merely receive his 95 Theses and leave it at that?
To make this more personal, I find your book “Reimagining Church” phenomenal. Brilliant. Spot-on. Yet I know you lean towards the progressive form of post-modern theology and I do not. Should I then dismiss you, wholly, or merely receive from you what I find to be worthwhile and throw the rest away? Exactly.
Thanks. I like your overall point, but I must ask (scratching head), what makes you think that I lean toward a “progressive form of post-modern theology”?
My theology is all-too *pre-modern*, centered on finding Jesus in all the Scriptures which goes back to the very pre-modern church Fathers and the Reformers. Moderns and postmoderns find this theological perspective and hermeneutic to be naive and offensive and I’ve gotten push-back from both. I actually address the deconstructionist philosophy of postmodernism in my eBook “Beyond Evangelical” and talk about why I don’t advocate it.
I get your feeling “floored.” I think it’s more sad than anything when any of us get caught up in pettiness like this…missing the forest for the trees. It’s ALWAYS a heart issue when it happens to me. So important to fully listen and set aside the peripheral stuff and see the core 🙂
Thanks for posting this. As several of the comments have pointed out- all of us have been guilty of this at one point or another. I used to be the worst. I wonder if some of it begins with believing we’ve got all the answers instead of accepting there are more questions/mysteries to be explored? I also wonder if part of the pettiness is due to us ‘hiding’ in church instead enjoying in the diverse richness outside the 4 walls- meeting and mingling with the rest of humanity, the ones that Jesus asked us to go an love and shower with the same grace we have already supposedly accepted. I wonder if our perspective is somewhat tainted by ease in becoming insular in our ‘serving’ within the church (not that serving is a bad thing at all). Just a little pondering…
Wonderful points. I know that for myself, serving the poor and the oppressed has changed my perspective on so many levels and in so many ways. Does the human heart good fo sho.
When thousands riot and violence is perpetrated against Christians simply because some nut threatens to burn a copy of the Koran, one can hardly call Christians “the most easily offended people on the planet”! But I heard what you said before and after that statement, and your point is well taken.
True. Though the Muslims I’ve met are less sensitive to being offended by trivial things compared to many Christians I’ve met. Obviously, not all Christians are easily offended. As I said in a previous comment, we are all susceptible to pettiness and all of us have our “hot” buttons. See “The Forgotten Beatitude” Parts I and II for more detail.
As a teacher myself, I’m glad that you encourage preaching and teaching. When I first heard about your book Pagan Christianity, I was told you were against these things. After reading it myself I was relieved to know that you are for them but that you have an issue with the modern day sermon instead.
I’ve seen this kind of pettiness also when I’ve taught so this is a good thing to know for those starting out ministering the word. Love your podcasts.
Thanks for this post Frank. It came at the perfect time. I needed to hear it and make things right with another person. Keep blogging.
I’m encouraged. None of us are immune to this. Be encouraged. The Spirit is working.
Makes me think of Jesus’ words “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”, followed by “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness.” We see that which we cherish, and that is where our commitment is. Whatever we decide to make the issue is what we will be sensitive to. The key to theological soundness is to esteem Christ above all. Pettiness is the inevitable curse that accompanies (and reveals) a Mickey Mouse image of Jesus Christ.
As humans, all of us are susceptible. So reminders and stories can be helpful.
We all have imperfect and differing perspectives. We all come from different backgrounds intellectually. I can look at what she said and agree with your point but I am not so sure I would not do the same in such a moment if someone mentioned a subject I was passionate about. It is good then for brothers and sisters among us to point us back to Christ so we don’t get hung up on distractions.
Yes, very true.
Great point Frank. I’ve seen this too. I saw that someone read in this saying you were offended by the woman’s comment. I don’t see offense but surprise. Am I right?
Correct. I wasn’t offended at all; just “floored” — meaning, it took me by surprise. Perplexing, really. On the other side, we all have different experiences so maybe she had some experience with psychology that made her think it was all horrible and she shouldn’t get her mind off it. Maybe that’s all she thought about during the message. People are complex creatures. As for the woman who didn’t like ‘britches’ … I have no idea. But Stewart’s point is important to consider.
I have experienced this as a preacher…yeah, depressing at times.
But I have also heard preachers who do the same from the pulpit. They read a scripture passage and then spend their 20-30 minute sermon on one infinitesimal detail of the passage and, in the process, lose sight of the whole point. Recent example… Elisha and the King of Aram (2 Kings 6:8-22). The preacher chose to focus on “Hey, feed your enemy and now they are your friends”…but the preacher seemed to forget the next verse, 23, where Aram goes back to attacking… A message on God’s power overcoming the enemy got turned into a hippy message about peace, love, and cheesedoodles because the preacher had an agenda…
Paul warned Timothy about people like these, since there were a lot of Jewish myths going around the early church:
“…command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work–which is by faith.” (1 Tim 1:3b-4)
I’ve been all to guilty of this as well. Arguing about things like the age of the earth… which ironically enough included me arguing about the genealogies!
Thank God we have such grace in a King so mighty.
Interesting post! It’s a shame, isn’t it? I am a long-time reader of your work, by the way. After having read books and articles elsewhere I belatedly went looking for your blog and I’m happy I did!