Biblical Analysis: Disclaimer and Intent
As we move forward, I will spend more time analyzing network teachings from a biblical standpoint. Before I do that, I want to write a statement of intent of sorts, along with some disclaimers on who I am.
The short version
I have limited credentials: I own a Bible (several) and have read a lot of it. Due to that, my goal is to broaden views, not narrow them. It’s unlikely I’ll give you the right answer, but I might show you that the network has inconsistencies or issues, and that there are alternatives. If I’m successful, you’ll come away with more authors to read, more articles and books, and maybe even more questions than you had before. I’ll be open about my current beliefs but I don’t really expect others to agree with them, and that isn’t my goal. And finally, I ask for grace and help where I fail.
The Longer Version
Who am I?
I am not a seminary-trained theologian or biblical scholar. I don’t read the ancient languages of the Bible. I haven’t read the entire Bible. I’ve spent a fair amount of time studying each of the topics I will discuss, but I’m hardly an expert. In fact, more often than not, I will point you to experts, rather than telling you what I think. Please use your own wisdom and consult experts to determine what you believe on these topics.
Please note, other than the amount of time spent looking at a given issue (some more, some less), this means I have identical credentials to most network pastors: none. I mean that with no snark at all. I just want to ward off “well who are you to say that they are wrong” with “who are they to say that they are right?”
So what’s my goal?
So why am I writing at all? Because I believe that some network teachings are out of step with most significant Christian voices today, across most traditions. Or, in some cases, they are out of step with even some of the experts they themselves lean on, and in some cases just completely misuse words or misapply them.
Additionally, those of you who became Christians in the network or spent much of your life there would not have been exposed to broader sets of perspectives and may in fact believe that someone like Wayne Grudem is the single most authoritative voice in the Christian church today. You may be unaware of important voices like Scot McKnight and Jemar Tisby. You might not have heard of Kristin Du Mez or Beth Allison Barr. I’m not saying those voices are right about everything, but they are worth hearing. It’s worth knowing that “let’s look at (Grudem’s) Systematic Theology” shouldn’t be the end of every discussion. I recently learned that there are over 150 different published Systematic Theologies! It’s also worth understanding that the network disagrees with Grudem in substantial ways.
Therefore, these writings won’t be so much “this view is the right view”, it will be “there are other views”. It may, in some cases be “I can find no one who agrees with the network.” My goal isn’t to persuade you of what I think is right. My goal is simply to demonstrate that there’s a broader view and to affirm that you have the ability and right to consider those views.
One last thing
I can only write from my own background and history, which is that of an American, white, well-off, straight, cis, protestant, evangelical, Christian man. I was born in the midwest, grew up in the pacific northwest, and currently live in California. My parents are conservative, and followed suit for most of my life. I have worked at Microsoft for nearly 17 years where I have met people from all over the globe, but people from a similar economic class as myself. These experiences inform me, but there are many perspectives I can only gain from listening to those with different experiences than my own. Over the past two years, I’ve been extremely grateful to hear from many women and people of color. My library is still heavily American and almost exclusively Christian. On twitter I intentionally follow people who challenge my beliefs.
I say this all to say: I recognize my limitations, and I ask, in all humility, that you do two things as I continue to learn:
Extend grace to me where I fail.
Help me out by correcting blindspots you may see. You can always email me at not.overcome@outlook.com.
Hat tip to Meghan Tschanz, author of Women Rising and host of the Faith and Feminism podcast (both are excellent and challenging) for this disclaimer, which is inspired by the intro to every episode of hers.
A final fun story to demonstrate perspectives. In our house, we have a microwave above the oven.
My wife always thinks the ceiling of the microwave is dirty.
I always think the floor of the microwave is dirty.
Why is this? I’m 6’2” and she’s 5’0”. She can’t see the floor of it, looking up, and I can’t see the ceiling of it, looking down.