Moderate Apostolics 2

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Kirk Van Ooteghem wrote:

> This is the problem.  These terms (conservative, moderate, etc.)
> are open to interpretation.  There is no set standard of
> vocabulary in our Pentecostal ranks.  

Brother Kirk is right, these terms are open for interpretation.  I do
not believe that that the Apostolic movement can be easily separated
into conservative, moderate, and liberal factions.  But I do believe
that there are trends in Apostolic self understanding that can be
discerned.

The Apostolic movement is not a single shining star within the universe
of Christendom, but an entire constellation.  Within this constellation
an entire spectrum of self understanding exists.  There are Apostolics
who see themselves as the only true Apostolics, and for that matter the
only true Christian Church. These Apostolics are characterized by
Fundamentalist theology and its associated common sense philosophy. 
This theology creates the desire and rationalization for radical
separation from greater Christendom and contemporary culture.  These
Apostolics refuse to engage in a meaningful dialogue with other
Christians.  The only purpose for communication with other Christians is
proselytizing and the winning of an intellectual victory.  For them sin
and infidelity to Holy Scripture are the real reasons behind the
diversity of belief in Christendom.  These Apostolics are held captive
to their faith by modern scientific either/or thinking and syllogistic
logic.  Their reasoning goes like this:  1)  There can only be one true
interpretation of Holy Scripture;  2)  We have the one true
interpretation of Holy Scripture;  3) Other Christians are really not
Christians;  4)  We must condemn other Christians as heretics and
separate from them to preserve our truth.  I frequently meet Apostolics
of this persuasion.  They could be called Fundamentalist Apostolics.  I
prefer to call them conservatives reflecting their belief that they are
in possession of the truth of the Christian faith and their pposition to
any type of change from what they perceive as "traditional" Apostolic
theology.

I did not discuss liberal "Apostolics" in my posts because I am not sure
if they should really be called Apostolics.  They possess an Apostolic
heritage, may baptize in Jesus' name, receive the Holy Spirit and speak
in tongues, and have an Apostolic understanding of God.  But, it really
doesn't matter to them what you believe. What matters is that you are a
Christian, serving the Lord, and going to Church.  Tired of the
incessant doctrinal quarrels in the Apostolic movement they live by
"feeling", religious experience.  They readily assimilate into
Trinitarian denominations and the Charismatic movement and often lose
their Apostolic identity.  How long can you say "it doesn't matter"
before what "doesn't matter" is forgotten or ignored?  Many have fond
memories of their Apostolic past but are confident that they have found
a better way in religious relativism.  Just as they didn't have to think
as a Fundamentalist Apostolic, all that can be said or known about the
Christian faith has been said and known, they don't have to think as
relativists,  they can just be tolerant and accepting of others and feel
good.  These "Apostolics"  are also not in dialogue with other
Christians.  True dialogue involves understanding of your conversation
partner, not blind acceptance.  I call these "Apostolics" liberals
because they have embraced liberal theology which reduces all of
Christianity to religious experience and minimizes the importance of the
witness to Christ found in Holy Scripture.  I also frequently meet
Apostolics of this persuasion.  They are very loving and caring people
and always express a concern that I need to be more tolerant.  They want
to share the secret of their happiness.  They want me to learn "that
nothing really matters."

My posts were intended to give a third group of Apostolics an identity,
the moderates, and distinguish them form conservatives.  Moderate
Apostolics share the conservatives passion for biblical truth and the
liberal's desire for fellowship with other Christians.  They desire to
be faithful to their Apostolic heritage while giving it a contemporary
expressions.  Moderate Apostolics do not believe that the Christian
faith is against culture, Fundamentalism, or that the Christian faith
should be subsumed and controlled by culture, liberalism, but rather
that the Christian faith should transform culture through the
proclamation of the Gospel, evangelism, and social action.  Moderate
Apostolics want to avoid the errors of conservative Apostolics and
liberal "Apostolics".  They don't  want to separate and isolate
themselves from greater Christendom and the world to the point they have
no understanding of those who they need to proclaim the Gospel.  At the
same time, they do not want to assimilate into the sea of religious
relativism and lose their Apostolic identity.  I am meeting more and
more of these Apostolics.  They share my struggles with the Apostolic
faith and my passion to remain Apostolic while participating in a
critical and constructive dialogue with greater Christendom and the
world.

The distinctions of self understanding I have proposed are fluid.  At
any given time conservative Apostolics may be moderating, moderate
Apostolics may be liberating, and liberal "Apostolics", well, I guess
they just feel better.  Liberal "Apostolics" moderate, moderates become
conservatives, and conservatives become "cultic".  Have you ever read of
the "Apostolic" snake handlers in West Virginia!

Apostolics need to examine their self understandings and ask the
questions, "Who do we want to be?  How do we want to present ourselves
to greater Christendom and the World?"

Several months ago Sis. Lisa spoke of the dearth of spiritual "meat"
present in Apostolic churches.  I wrote about the "Unanswered Questions"
of the Apostolic movement.  As members of the Apostolic family, part of
the heavenly constellation which shine forth the true light of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, we need to know who we are, Apostolic identity,
where we have come from, Apostolic history, and where we are going, an
Apostolic vision.  This means asking and answering the tough questions
facing the Apostolic movement, engaging in a responsible dialogue with
other Apostolics, and with humility, reverence, and joy acknowledging
that God may have a "fresh" Word for  Apostolics.  I pray that the Holy
Spirit may grant us the wisdom and boldness to receive this Word and be
transformed by it.

May God bless all Apostolics, 

Steve