 |
Wherefore
gird up the loins of your mind, be sober |
October
4, 2019
https://www.facebook.com/sing.f.lau/posts/10214700803969220
#All_Doctrines_No_Love
Some
pastors do have remarks like – “what’s the use of doctrines, they don’t help
your men to pray,” “all doctrines but no love,” - and similar snide remarks
thrown at them not infrequently. I have my fair share; to say I felt hounded
would not be too far from the truth; the matter has also exercised or perplexed
me.
I
first heard of the remark some 30 years ago while I was a student at FEBC,
Singapore in 1987-8. I was attending an RB church then. I still remember
hearing some women in the church making similar remarks.
I
didn’t understand then, and I still don’t know what to make of it now. So, I
thought a good way is to give some thought to it.
1.
Some general thoughts on such remarks
a.
I don’t know whether the snide remark is directed at the pastor/teacher as an
individual, or it is leveled against the church as a body? Is the preacher “all
doctrine and no love” or is the church that he ministers “all doctrine but no
love”?
Whichever,
it is completely possible that the man falls far short of both; he is not a
loving man, and his feeble ministry has failed miserably in producing a loving
church as per the expectation of some, in which case, he should be willing and
ready to tender his sincere apology for his grievous personal shortcoming, as
well as his ministry’s dismal failure to produce a loving church. Perhaps the
church should gently suggest to him to leave the ministry.
b.
The second greatest commandment is indeed “love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Perhaps, the pastor/teacher may not even love himself much and that may likely
explain why he fails to love much. No, I don't think he is excusing himself for
his grievous lack of bubbly love. Perhaps, he is just insensitive to not being
loved, so he doesn’t whine and bitches about not being loved by others. However,
he is probably deeply thankful to the Lord for every expression of love shown
to him; also, he likely rejoices to see the expression of love among God’s
children. Bickering among God’s children and devouring one another are
reproaches unto the Lord; they (i.e. the bickering and devouring) grieve him no
end.
c.
Surely, every church has some kind of doctrines, even biblical doctrines that
have been twisted and perverted are still doctrines – statements of beliefs.
Every church has some beliefs concerning the Person and works of Christ even if
they are inconsistent with what the Scriptures declare, rightly divided, that
is. Cancerous bones are still bones. It may be true that a church may have
become so woolly that there is very little preaching on doctrines; instead, it
majors on practical how-to subjects without being based soundly on biblical
doctrines. Such is antithetical to the Apostolic pattern, which is always the
doctrines and followed by the “therefore.”
d.
Doctrines, i.e. biblical doctrines, are objective; one is either right or wrong
about it. Not a few sincere Christians loathe biblical doctrines because they
feel that biblical doctrines are too exact and restrictive for their liking.
Also,
they have the misguided notion that doctrines divide but love unites; they
think doctrines split their hairs, whereas love binds their hearts. Besides,
they see little practical value in sound doctrines, in addition to them being
divisive. They forget one basic reality, that believing God’s truth rightly
honours Him as much as obeying His word. Believing wrongly is tantamount to
bearing false witness.
e.
Love, i.e. biblical love is also objective in that it has definite character
and attributes, not just some fuzzy vacuous sentimental feelings, read 1Cor 13:4-7.
But a whole set of subjective elements are ALSO involved here; how love is felt
and experienced is largely subjective. One who has a high expectation would
feel largely unloved, even though he is loved, perhaps not in the manner
expected. It would be hard to believe that there is no love among Christians in
a church. Is there any reason left for one to remain in such a loveless church?
2.
Some possible explanations for such remarks
a.
The kind souls who make those remarks are likely the loving and tender-hearted
children of God; it likely pains them to see the absence of love among the
other saints, thus explaining their “all doctrine but no love.” Loving people
feel terribly disheartened in an unlovely place just as tidy folks feel uneasy
in a dirty environment.
b.
It is also possible that the love of these kind souls has been generously shown
to other saints is not reciprocated or appreciated or praised, and they felt it
very keenly. Any sensible soul would feel discouraged.
c.
Perhaps they may have experienced much better church fellowship where there is
much more love than that of their present church.
d.
The ministry of the word majoring on doctrines alone may also have prompted
such remarks. If indeed true, that is a fault that surely needs to be
corrected. After all, the profitability of the inspired Scriptures extends
beyond doctrines; it included training in righteousness as well as reproof and
corrections.
e.
Perhaps there is an aversion to biblical doctrines; many Christians are averse
to doctrines because they require mental assertion to grasp and understand.
Mental laziness is a debilitating disease that should not be taken lightly.
Churchianity will replace Christianity soon enough if mental laziness prevails.
3.
Some suggestions to overcome the perceived “all doctrines but no love” evil
a.
At the personal level: perhaps, those who say there is no love, exert
themselves to love a bit more, and pray that their example may move others to
do the same. This is not going to be easy since their love has not been
reciprocated thus far. But have patience, show by your loving examples to
revive the fellow saints in the church.
b.
Remind and encourage the pastor to preach less on doctrine, and more on love,
besides praying for him. Give him suggestions on specific practical subjects
that you think will motivate people to have love.
c.
Meanwhile, search the internet to look for messages that are full of love and
no doctrine to compensate for the “all doctrines but no love” situation.
Discreetly recommend it to the pastor to listen as well as to others whom you
believe may be helped to be loving. This will somewhat compensate for the
deficiency of the existing ministry and loveless situation in the church.
d.
Actively work towards getting a pastor/teacher whose ministry has proven to
produce loving people, assuming you still love the loveless church enough to
remain and labouring to revive it. It is certain that the present pastor, who
is keenly aware of his own deficiency, would be so delighted to have such a
servant of God to minister to the church he loves dearly.
e.
If all the above fail to turn the loveless church around, then you must be kind
to yourselves and LEAVE the church; yes, leave the church orderly and
peaceably; don’t waste your love any longer on a loveless people. That may be
the best decision for the good of your own soul, for “evil communications
corrupt good manners.” Continuing with such loveless people may corrupt and
extinguish your bright love for the brethren and become loveless like them.
That is a tragedy you must avoid for yourself.
Just
some random thoughts.
