The Space “In-Between” Times
I was in conversation the other day with a man (an acquaintance of mine) who at one time was a stickler for defending sound doctrine. In fact, the conversation started because of my concerns over my dad’s spiritual journey.
He said to me, “You know…. once upon a time, not so long ago, I thought that doctrine was very important.” Then he paused to see my reaction, I had none as I wanted to hear what he had to say. Then he went on and said, “And now that I am older… I am not so sure it is at all important.”
I sat still and just listened to his reasoning; I kept silent that night and let him speak. He had made up his mind and that was that, that was made clear to me. He told me that the older he got, the more he questioned his very rigid views on doctrine. This was in response to the recent claims made by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams (see here to read a good article on this or if you don’t know much about the latest claims that the Archbishop made during the Christmas season).
What were some of the doctrines that he found unimportant?
Well, to my surprise they weren’t the secondary issues that he was questioning. But the very things that use to be held as fundamental to understanding God through biblical Christianity. Even in his earlier walk with God he said to me that these doctrines were once held by him to be very important, if not pivotal to his Christianity. Things like the virgin birth and the resurrection.
He said that now what was most important to him was his relationship with God, no matter how he understood Him. He likened it to a child who loves their father, but doesn’t know every little thing about their own father but loves him nonetheless. Likewise, the father loves the child regardless of their child’s lack of truly knowing him with 100 percent certainty. The father understands that there are some things that the child will never know or understand about the father but the relationship is built on love rather than knowledge.
Is this silence? Is this a space that is waiting to be filled?
However imperfect our understanding of God happens to be, can we still have a relationship with Him even if we find that the virgin birth and the resurrection is currently up for debate and is being dissected by post-modern de-constructionlism?
What do we have left if we have de-constructed biblical absolutes? If we have nothing but feelings and have found ourselves without any real answers, what then, and how should we actually feel about this ‘Great Unknowing‘? Should we celebrate, encourage and should we even want to stay in it? How do we begin to build a relationship within the ‘Great Unknowing‘? What foundation are we left with or do we have one at all? If we have no real foundation then what would that mean for society, as it would have no real direction and there would be a lull, a big space, a void if you like that has to be filled. What will fill this space? A world without a foundation is one that can be shaped in any way it chooses.
What comes next? The Ecclesiastical Question…
Ecc 4:6 Better is a handful of quietness than two hands full of toil and a striving after wind.
This is a world wide phenomena, post-modernism is a has-been, it is yesterdays news and very much past its used by date. And like a house built with a deck of cards it has fallen and it lays in wait, in expectation for something and it knows not what. It has left humanity with no answered questions and has left in its wake a big gaping chasm that is very much “In Between” times — the Post-modern and the next. That place is now empty and void and is waiting to be filled. In this big space of “In-Between” times, we have nothing, we have some sort of … “lull-and-void” that is waiting to be filled with something.
This is pivotal because people as a general rule want answers to the deeper questions of life. Otherwise why would they even bother asking the questions in the first place? If you don’t want the answers, don’t ask the questions. They cannot live their life without answers forever. They can try but they will never get past the questions and they become stuck within them, in a never ending circle, a chasing of the wind.
Ecc 1:14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.
Ecc 1:17 And I applied my heart to know wisdom and to know madness and folly. I perceived that this also is but a striving after wind.
As bible believing Christians we should be acutely aware of this time, and we should be ready to give answers. I give this advice to myself first and to be honest with you, I am challenged by it.
I think Peter had it right when he said that we should always be ready with an answer. This is most needed during this time, more than ever before!
1Pe 3:15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,
Regarding doctrine and whether or not it is important for us today with our de-constructed laying in wait world. Obviously St. Paul found the topic of doctrine important. He tells us that there is indeed a sound doctrine and there is also a doctrine of demons. Why would he say this if this was not so?
Tit 1:9 clinging to the faithful Word according to the teaching, that he may be able both to encourage by sound doctrine and to convict the ones contradicting.
1Ti 4:1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
What can fill this empty space of “In-Between” times?
Christ Jesus (The biblical One) can!
If not Him, then what is the alternative? I shudder to think! The alternative is what scares me. This empty space of “In-Between” times is ready to be injected with Truth, and if Truth is not heard or understood, then lies will be.
PS: I have just come across something interesting about the emerging Church in an article called…
The Great Divide, the Lull-and-Void, the Great Unknown… something is about to happen. Let’s be armed and ready with the full armor of God!
Eph 6:11-18 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
This is a great post and leaves a lot to think about. I found it interesting when I read the beginning of your friend’s account in regards to doctrine that at first it all sounds so nice, “we don’t need to follow rules, we don’t need to believe certain things, all we need is God, all we need is love.” But if that were the case then throw out the bible altogether and as you said, just go on feeling! Seems somewhere some have forgotten that God says His Word is living, God breathed, and inspired by the Holy Spirit. Take one word of it away or add one word to it and be accursed. Seems to me some have forgotten it is all that we have that reveals to us who He is. Without it it is like building a house on a bad foundation and a house on a bad foundation will eventually fall. I think you are right - we are coming into a great lull, an inbetween time where there will be people seeking answers and we the body of Christ need to ready, in season and out, to give them His Word. God bless! ~Jen
Jen… Thanks heaps for commenting.
It was a hard post to write for personal reasons, I am not sure if you followed the link about my dad and his recent atheistic claims etc.
God bless you too!!
Bonnie from For the Author posted a comment on another post of mine… because that comment shares something about this post I will quote her…
You can find this comment HERE. Thanks for sharing this Bonnie, it means a lot to me and I am sure other who stumble across posts and comments similar to this have many stories to be told. I pray constantly that peoples eyes will be opened to the Truth that is found in God’s Word.
Thanks again!
Oh and before I go, Roger Oakland wrote an article about his observations regarding the ‘Emerging Church’ called ‘The Collapse of the Emerging Church and the Kingdom Of God‘.
And another link from ‘The denver Post’ called ‘Filling the spiritual Void‘…
It’s really quite simple. Given that Jesus is the Word made flesh, and that the Word — the Holy Bible — is doctrine, and given that Jesus Christ is our Saviour, then doctrine MUST be important!
Lee… it’s not rocket science is it
Love your simplicity!
Thanks for the link to the Denver Post’s article.
Foster’s comment about Willow Creek’s spiritlessness sounds good until you see what the result of Foster’s Spiritual Formation teaching is:
“Valerie Hess, coordinator of music ministries at Trinity Lutheran Church in Boulder, has joined a local Renovare group. “It absolutely changed my life,” she says. “It’s affected how I’m going to eat, treat my body, spend my money and treat the environment.’ ”
Yes, that’s the same old social gospel that makes this PRESENT world the focus of a “Christian” life. The environment!?!?! What she’s going to eat!?!?
Why then, did Christ say “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)? Why did Paul say “Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God” (1Cor 15:50)?
Why can’t people see this is so very false? That all these roads lead back to Rome? God’s Word says that “the fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16) Not the contemplative and self-emptying meditiation this false teacher espouses.
I thought it very telling that the same article notes that since Foster has discovered his native Indian heritage, he is now participating in their spiritual practices. And to think I was initially drawn to the Quakers!! That is until I realized their discussions weren’t about theology or doctrine, but the environment! Can’t they see this is a dead end?
Yes, I have no doubt as to what kind of spirit will fill this void.
This is a well orchestrated plan to unify religions world wide. There is a kingdom being built, and it is NOT Christ’s but His counterfeit.
Vee