Liberal Arts Church
I just had a meeting with an NCCer who said he refers to me as a liberal arts pastor because of my diversity of interests. I took it as a compliment and it got me thinking.
What does a liberal arts church look like?
I think a liberal arts church is a church that competes for culture as opposed to creating a subculture. A liberal arts church recognizes that all truth is God's truth. A liberal arts church recognizes that every christian has a God-ordained calling. A liberal arts church understands the times. A liberal arts church lets non-christians belong before they believe. A liberal arts church asks questions instead of just giving answers. A liberal arts church is innovative. A liberal arts church celebrates the artistic impulse. A liberal arts church doesn't compartmentalize Jesus.
I think pastors and churches need to be more interdisciplinary. That is what a liberal arts degree is all about. That is why I read everything from business to physics to neurology to romance novels. Just kidding on the romance novels. But I think this is a stewardship issue. I believe that Scripture is the inspired word of God, but my appreciation of Scripture is enhanced when I cross-pollinize with other disciplines.
I've noticed something interesting in the response to my preaching. Christians love it when I quote Scripture. Non-Christians love it when I quote non-biblical sources like Aristotle or Pascal or Jack Handy :) In my humble opinion, a good sermon is both/and.
We need to follow the example that Paul set in Athens. He knew Athenian culture. In fact, he quoted one of their philosophers, Epimenides. And he didn't boycott the Aeropagus. He went toe-to-toe with the best philosophical minds of his day. We need to follow suit.
Random thoughts on a Friday!
What does a liberal arts church look like?
I think a liberal arts church is a church that competes for culture as opposed to creating a subculture. A liberal arts church recognizes that all truth is God's truth. A liberal arts church recognizes that every christian has a God-ordained calling. A liberal arts church understands the times. A liberal arts church lets non-christians belong before they believe. A liberal arts church asks questions instead of just giving answers. A liberal arts church is innovative. A liberal arts church celebrates the artistic impulse. A liberal arts church doesn't compartmentalize Jesus.
I think pastors and churches need to be more interdisciplinary. That is what a liberal arts degree is all about. That is why I read everything from business to physics to neurology to romance novels. Just kidding on the romance novels. But I think this is a stewardship issue. I believe that Scripture is the inspired word of God, but my appreciation of Scripture is enhanced when I cross-pollinize with other disciplines.
I've noticed something interesting in the response to my preaching. Christians love it when I quote Scripture. Non-Christians love it when I quote non-biblical sources like Aristotle or Pascal or Jack Handy :) In my humble opinion, a good sermon is both/and.
We need to follow the example that Paul set in Athens. He knew Athenian culture. In fact, he quoted one of their philosophers, Epimenides. And he didn't boycott the Aeropagus. He went toe-to-toe with the best philosophical minds of his day. We need to follow suit.
Random thoughts on a Friday!
5 Comments:
Paul's experiences in Athens was one of his lowest periods in his ministry. He tried in vain to minister through reason and left Athens dejected. We need to be careful that we don't fall into the same trap. Our relevancy comes from the Holy Spirit and we must remember whose image we are reflecting.
I was with you until romance novels. ;)
Pastor C,
While I agree that Paul's fruit in Athens didn't match a few of his other pitstops and I agree that we must be Spirit-led, I still think we follow Paul's example of competing for the truth in the Aeropagus.
If we don't, then the Dionysius' of the world will continue on their path toward a Christless future.
Mark
Have you ever read "The Great Divorce" by C.S. Lewis? I have made it my mission to get everyone to read that book. It really is the best.
I will be leading a book club-life group at HPC come September, do you have any suggestions of books we should include?
Hmmmmmm....
There have been several NCC and Non-NCC groups that have used ID: The True You as a book club book. If the group started in October I'd recommend In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day :)
So much depends on the focus.
I think Velvet Elvis or Blue Like Jazz would make interesting conversation pieces.
I also love some of the classics like Knowledge of the Holy by A.W. Tozer.
My two cents,
Mark
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