Is Your Way Really God’s Way?
I have addressed in a prior post (see here) the necessity of observing the difference between function and form in Scripture. While the Bible is heavy on function (what we are to do) it is light on form (how we are to do it). In fact, regarding forms in the New Testament, we find that:
- Functions are most often given without any form specified
- The forms that are given are often partial and incomplete. For instance, in Acts 5:42 we are told that the apostles “taught” (function) from “house to house” (form). We are not told whether they taught in every house or just some; whether they taught both believers and unbelievers; whether they we inside or outside the house; whether neighbors were invited, etc.
- The forms for the same function often vary from one context to another. For instance, in Acts 5:42 we’re told that the apostles, in addition to teaching from house to house, also taught in the Temple courts.1
Failure to observe this important distinction produces either of two errors:
Rejecting a Biblical Function
About two years ago I wrote about a pastors meeting I attended where the issue of church membership was discussed (see here). Most of the brothers at the meeting were part of an association that did not practice membership, seeing it as an extrabiblical, and therefore unnecessary, requirement (I was an invited guest of the host pastor). As the discussion progressed it became clear that the objections were focused on the form of membership – walking an aisle, signing a card, raising a hand, etc. After all, where do we see these in the Bible? But …
Once we discussed the biblical function and requirements for membership (and there are many – a subject for a future blog) and distinguished between form/function and extrabiblical/unbiblical, most could see that their concern was misplaced. They had focused on the extrabiblical form rather than the fully biblical function.
Elevating an Extra-Biblical Form
But another way to err regarding a form of ministry is to impose it as biblical. Dr. Les Ollila, past chancellor of Northland International University would describe with his inimitable wit how it is that we arrive at “hardening of the categories.” He would say (paraphrased): “We see a command in the Bible like ‘evangelize’ [function] and then we come up with a way to do it [form] like going door to door. So, we say, ‘Here’s a way to do it.’ Over time it becomes a tradition, and we say, ‘This is the way we’ve always done it.’ Over more time it becomes a command, and we say, ‘This is the way Paul did it.’”
While that is humorous, it can also be very divisive because once we sanctify our method as the only biblical way, we can easily feel the need to censure those who differ as being disobedient. And there are many examples of this kind of extrabiblical requirement rending a church that fails to comply. Often these disruptive methodologies begin well: A problem is identified, a solution proffered, and a practice implemented. But over time the approach becomes an imperative and those who deviate are ostracized.
Growing/Teaching/Worshiping with Kids God’s Way
One of the clearest and saddest examples of this phenomenon is Gary and Anne Marie Ezzo. In the 1980s they started a parenting class at Grace Community Church in California, pastored by John MacArthur. The class was of great help to many young families and began to grow. Over time the Ezzos published their parenting suggestions under the title, “Growing Kids God’s Way.” The “God’s way” part should be a warning that a methodology is being idolized. Sure enough, families began to divide over whether they were parenting “God’s way,” not only at Grace Community, but in churches around the country. Gary Ezzo’s unyielding claims about his methods resulted in excommunication from Grace and a second church (see here), but not before causing much heartache at many other churches that split over who was truly parenting “God’s way.”
A similar pattern emerges when other methods, designed to address real problems, are raised to the level of holy command. So, to address the genuine problem of generational separation in our churches, some eliminate nurseries and Sunday Schools and teen classes so that all are always together when at church. Family integration is one way to address this issue, but for some it becomes the only way, when in fact there are other (and I would suggest better) ways to address it. Likewise, legitimate concern over the direction of our educational system leads many parents to choose private Christian or homeschooling options but, again, too many are not content to leave it as a methodological choice but instead suggest that one or the other is the only way.
Unity is not the same as unanimity. We don’t all have to do it the same way in order to be unified in our mission under Christ. One important way to keep the distinction intact is to appreciate the difference between biblical function and extra-biblical form.
Ken Brown is the pastor of Community Bible Church in Trenton, MI. We republish his article by permission.
Photo by Rommel Davila on Unsplash
- Gene Getz, Sharpening the Focus of the Church (Scripture Press Publications, 1984), pp. 94–107. [↩]