How to Keep Your Church from Chasing Theological Fads

your own journey in growing doctrinally your own journey in growing doctrinally over the years, how have you seen and over the years, how have you seen and over the years, how have you seen and grown in your understanding and grown in your understanding and grown in your understanding and appreciation of the value of appreciation of the value of appreciation of the value of confessions? confessions? confessions? >> Well, in a bunch of different ways. >> Well, in a bunch of different ways. >> Well, in a bunch of different ways. Here's one that comes to mind. Again, Here's one that comes to mind. Again, Here's one that comes to mind. Again, your generation, Matt, has seen a your generation, Matt, has seen a your generation, Matt, has seen a beautiful recovery of classic Christian beautiful recovery of classic Christian beautiful recovery of classic Christian and Protestant affirmations about the and Protestant affirmations about the and Protestant affirmations about the doctrine of God, the doctrine of the doctrine of God, the doctrine of the doctrine of God, the doctrine of the Trinity, and the doctrine of Christ. And Trinity, and the doctrine of Christ. And Trinity, and the doctrine of Christ. And um um um I would have resonated with that as a I would have resonated with that as a I would have resonated with that as a seminary student, but that was not what seminary student, but that was not what seminary student, but that was not what was happening in the 1980s. Uh in fact, was happening in the 1980s. Uh in fact, was happening in the 1980s. Uh in fact, two of my favorite professors two of my favorite professors two of my favorite professors from whom I learned an enormous amount from whom I learned an enormous amount from whom I learned an enormous amount and who will are, you know, both in and who will are, you know, both in and who will are, you know, both in glory with Jesus right now glory with Jesus right now glory with Jesus right now articulated some really idiosyncratic articulated some really idiosyncratic articulated some really idiosyncratic stuff on the doctrine of the Trinity and stuff on the doctrine of the Trinity and stuff on the doctrine of the Trinity and the doctrine of Christ. the doctrine of Christ. the doctrine of Christ. And the only thing that protected me And the only thing that protected me And the only thing that protected me from kind of going with them in that from kind of going with them in that from kind of going with them in that quirky direction because I respected quirky direction because I respected quirky direction because I respected their views in every area that they their views in every area that they their views in every area that they talked about. They were so talked about. They were so talked about. They were so knowledgeable. They were so godly and knowledgeable. They were so godly and knowledgeable. They were so godly and and and spiritual and convictional. Only and and spiritual and convictional. Only and and spiritual and convictional. Only thing that protected me from kind of thing that protected me from kind of thing that protected me from kind of following them in their quirkiness in following them in their quirkiness in following them in their quirkiness in those areas was the confession of faith.

those areas was the confession of faith. those areas was the confession of faith. And I just thought, I don't know enough And I just thought, I don't know enough And I just thought, I don't know enough yet yet yet >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> Mhm. >> to differ from the confession of faith >> to differ from the confession of faith >> to differ from the confession of faith on that. I think I'm just going to stick on that. I think I'm just going to stick on that. I think I'm just going to stick with the confession of faith until I can with the confession of faith until I can with the confession of faith until I can figure it out. And now, you know, we've figure it out. And now, you know, we've figure it out. And now, you know, we've had this explosion of wonderful young had this explosion of wonderful young had this explosion of wonderful young scholars that are working in precisely scholars that are working in precisely scholars that are working in precisely those areas. So, whether it's James those areas. So, whether it's James those areas. So, whether it's James Dolezal or Bobby Jamieson or Scott Dolezal or Bobby Jamieson or Scott Dolezal or Bobby Jamieson or Scott Swain, Swain, Swain, um um um we can go down a long list of guys, we can go down a long list of guys, we can go down a long list of guys, Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans, and Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans, and Presbyterians, Baptists, Anglicans, and others who've worked hard in the area of others who've worked hard in the area of others who've worked hard in the area of the doctrine of the Trinity, the the doctrine of the Trinity, the the doctrine of the Trinity, the doctrine of the the person of Christ, doctrine of the the person of Christ, doctrine of the the person of Christ, who have corrected some of the quirks who have corrected some of the quirks who have corrected some of the quirks that my wonderful beloved professors that my wonderful beloved professors that my wonderful beloved professors had, and what I've realized is, wow, the had, and what I've realized is, wow, the had, and what I've realized is, wow, the confessions got this exactly right. You confessions got this exactly right. You confessions got this exactly right. You pick up your Baptist Confession of 1689, pick up your Baptist Confession of 1689, pick up your Baptist Confession of 1689, it's going to have this right. You pick it's going to have this right. You pick it's going to have this right. You pick up your Westminster Confession, it's up your Westminster Confession, it's up your Westminster Confession, it's going to have it right. You pick up the going to have it right. You pick up the going to have it right. You pick up the Savoy Declaration of the Savoy Declaration of the Savoy Declaration of the Congregationalists, it's going to have Congregationalists, it's going to have Congregationalists, it's going to have this right. You pick up the Anglican this right. You pick up the Anglican this right. You pick up the Anglican Articles, the Irish Articles, it's going Articles, the Irish Articles, it's going Articles, the Irish Articles, it's going to have this right. So, our forebears to have this right. So, our forebears to have this right. So, our forebears >> Not to mention Nicene Creed, Apostles' >> Not to mention Nicene Creed, Apostles' >> Not to mention Nicene Creed, Apostles' Creed.

Creed. Creed. >> Correct. Correct. Yeah, exactly. Going >> Correct. Correct. Yeah, exactly. Going >> Correct. Correct. Yeah, exactly. Going all the way back to early Christianity, all the way back to early Christianity, all the way back to early Christianity, you know. you know. you know. >> straightjackets. >> straightjackets. >> straightjackets. They're rumble strips. They're rumble strips. They're rumble strips. >> Right. >> Right. >> Right. >> To keep you from swerving off course. >> To keep you from swerving off course. >> To keep you from swerving off course. >> they keep you in the in the in the right >> they keep you in the in the in the right >> they keep you in the in the in the right lane, and I that was I've just I've gone lane, and I that was I've just I've gone lane, and I that was I've just I've gone back with an appreciation for the young back with an appreciation for the young back with an appreciation for the young scholars that are teaching me so much, scholars that are teaching me so much, scholars that are teaching me so much, and realizing, wow, the the confession and realizing, wow, the the confession and realizing, wow, the the confession really protected me when I didn't know really protected me when I didn't know really protected me when I didn't know enough to make a judgment on my own. And enough to make a judgment on my own. And enough to make a judgment on my own. And um that's how it's supposed to work, um that's how it's supposed to work, um that's how it's supposed to work, right? It As you say, it's not a right? It As you say, it's not a right? It As you say, it's not a straightjacket. It's it's actually there straightjacket. It's it's actually there straightjacket. It's it's actually there to keep you in the center of the road, to keep you in the center of the road, to keep you in the center of the road, and um not sort of swerving off to and um not sort of swerving off to and um not sort of swerving off to because all of us go through because all of us go through because all of us go through times of theological fads and tendencies times of theological fads and tendencies times of theological fads and tendencies that when we look back on, we go, that when we look back on, we go, that when we look back on, we go, that wasn't so that wasn't so that wasn't so helpful. And the the confessions helpful. And the the confessions helpful. And the the confessions at their best uh keep us from falling at their best uh keep us from falling at their best uh keep us from falling prey to that. So, that's that's one area prey to that. So, that's that's one area prey to that. So, that's that's one area that I've seen the Another Another area, that I've seen the Another Another area, that I've seen the Another Another area, though, Matt, is just though, Matt, is just though, Matt, is just being able to help identify what the being able to help identify what the being able to help identify what the majors and the minors are.

majors and the minors are. majors and the minors are. You know, you can have a lot of people You know, you can have a lot of people You know, you can have a lot of people with really amped up convictions about with really amped up convictions about with really amped up convictions about what we have to preach about, and what what we have to preach about, and what what we have to preach about, and what we need to address, and what we need to we need to address, and what we need to we need to address, and what we need to talk about. And the confessions talk about. And the confessions talk about. And the confessions really give you an idea of, hey, that really give you an idea of, hey, that really give you an idea of, hey, that here's what the historic church thinks here's what the historic church thinks here's what the historic church thinks we need to be amped up about. You know, we need to be amped up about. You know, we need to be amped up about. You know, we need to be amped up about God. We we need to be amped up about God. We we need to be amped up about God. We need to be amped up about the Trinity. need to be amped up about the Trinity. need to be amped up about the Trinity. We need to be amped up about Christ. We We need to be amped up about Christ. We We need to be amped up about Christ. We need to be amped up about the gospel. We need to be amped up about the gospel. We need to be amped up about the gospel. We need to be amped up about justification. need to be amped up about justification. need to be amped up about justification. You know, it it this lays out these You know, it it this lays out these You know, it it this lays out these things and says these are really things and says these are really things and says these are really important things that all of us need to important things that all of us need to important things that all of us need to be talking about and that that sort of be talking about and that that sort of be talking about and that that sort of that sort of says the urgencies of the that sort of says the urgencies of the that sort of says the urgencies of the moment. moment. moment. The those things may be important, but The those things may be important, but The those things may be important, but these things are important. This year these things are important. This year these things are important. This year they'll be important in 10 years, they'll be important in 10 years, they'll be important in 10 years, they'll be important in 10,000 years. they'll be important in 10,000 years. they'll be important in 10,000 years. And so I want to make sure that the diet And so I want to make sure that the diet And so I want to make sure that the diet and the emphasis of my preaching is on and the emphasis of my preaching is on and the emphasis of my preaching is on these lasting things that aren't just these lasting things that aren't just these lasting things that aren't just sort of fluctuating through the moments sort of fluctuating through the moments sort of fluctuating through the moments of our time.

of our time. of our time. >> Yeah, I they're pregnant like >> Yeah, I they're pregnant like >> Yeah, I they're pregnant like confessions of faith, statements of confessions of faith, statements of confessions of faith, statements of faith, they're pregnant with unity faith, they're pregnant with unity faith, they're pregnant with unity forging potential. forging potential. forging potential. Because like you said, they establish Because like you said, they establish Because like you said, they establish the common core, the things we've agreed the common core, the things we've agreed the common core, the things we've agreed to agree on. to agree on. to agree on. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> And therefore they regulate the >> And therefore they regulate the >> And therefore they regulate the temperature of our debates. temperature of our debates. temperature of our debates. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Will our church speak in an official >> Will our church speak in an official >> Will our church speak in an official capacity to X issue? capacity to X issue? capacity to X issue? Well, if the statement of faith Well, if the statement of faith Well, if the statement of faith addresses it, we absolutely will. If the addresses it, we absolutely will. If the addresses it, we absolutely will. If the statement of faith sort of addresses it, statement of faith sort of addresses it, statement of faith sort of addresses it, we might. And if the statement of faith we might. And if the statement of faith we might. And if the statement of faith doesn't address it, we may not. Now, doesn't address it, we may not. Now, doesn't address it, we may not. Now, that's not to say that that's not to say that that's not to say that it wouldn't come out in a pastoral it wouldn't come out in a pastoral it wouldn't come out in a pastoral prayer or in sermon application, but in prayer or in sermon application, but in prayer or in sermon application, but in terms of what we're requiring agreement terms of what we're requiring agreement terms of what we're requiring agreement on in order to become a member of the on in order to become a member of the on in order to become a member of the church, church, church, we've said here are the boundaries, we've said here are the boundaries, we've said here are the boundaries, here's the borders, and there's actually here's the borders, and there's actually here's the borders, and there's actually therefore a lot of room for Christian therefore a lot of room for Christian therefore a lot of room for Christian freedom. There's a lot of room for freedom. There's a lot of room for freedom. There's a lot of room for differences even among church members differences even among church members differences even among church members over third rank doctrines and issues.

over third rank doctrines and issues. over third rank doctrines and issues. And so I found it helpful to think about And so I found it helpful to think about And so I found it helpful to think about it as those rumble strips or those it as those rumble strips or those it as those rumble strips or those guardrails because not all doctrines, guardrails because not all doctrines, guardrails because not all doctrines, when we did a whole episode on when we did a whole episode on when we did a whole episode on theological triage, but not all theological triage, but not all theological triage, but not all doctrines are created equal. And it's doctrines are created equal. And it's doctrines are created equal. And it's it's in it's helpful it's in it's helpful it's in it's helpful uh for uh for uh for pastoring uh because so many of the pastoring uh because so many of the pastoring uh because so many of the the things that have our members heated the things that have our members heated the things that have our members heated uh not just with the world, but perhaps uh not just with the world, but perhaps uh not just with the world, but perhaps toward one another are not necessarily toward one another are not necessarily toward one another are not necessarily things over which church members things over which church members things over which church members have to agree. have to agree. have to agree. Uh there's Galatians 1 and there's Uh there's Galatians 1 and there's Uh there's Galatians 1 and there's Romans 14. And there's a danger of Romans 14. And there's a danger of Romans 14. And there's a danger of treating Galatians 1 issues, gospel treating Galatians 1 issues, gospel treating Galatians 1 issues, gospel issues, as if they're debatable matters issues, as if they're debatable matters issues, as if they're debatable matters like they're in Romans 14. And there's a like they're in Romans 14. And there's a like they're in Romans 14. And there's a danger of treating Romans 14 issues as danger of treating Romans 14 issues as danger of treating Romans 14 issues as if they're gospel issues. And so I think if they're gospel issues. And so I think if they're gospel issues. And so I think it requires a lot of wisdom, maturity it requires a lot of wisdom, maturity it requires a lot of wisdom, maturity um for pastors to have that depth um for pastors to have that depth um for pastors to have that depth perception to see how perception to see how perception to see how >> And you were even saying when we were >> And you were even saying when we were >> And you were even saying when we were talking before we we started the talking before we we started the talking before we we started the conversation, um conversation, um conversation, um that what confessions decide not to that what confessions decide not to that what confessions decide not to address, address, address, that's instructive, too. And and then that's instructive, too. And and then that's instructive, too. And and then the room that the confessions of faith the room that the confessions of faith the room that the confessions of faith will build in right uh on on certain will build in right uh on on certain will build in right uh on on certain issues, issues, issues, that's instructive. And I Sinclair that's instructive. And I Sinclair that's instructive. And I Sinclair Ferguson in his lectures on the Ferguson in his lectures on the Ferguson in his lectures on the Westminster Confession often points out Westminster Confession often points out Westminster Confession often points out that the confession was designed to be a that the confession was designed to be a that the confession was designed to be a consensus document. It wasn't It wasn't consensus document. It wasn't It wasn't consensus document. It wasn't It wasn't trying to solve every theological issue trying to solve every theological issue trying to solve every theological issue amongst reformed folks. And in fact, it amongst reformed folks. And in fact, it amongst reformed folks. And in fact, it deliberately built room for yeah, you

deliberately built room for yeah, you deliberately built room for yeah, you can hold this perspective, this can hold this perspective, this can hold this perspective, this perspective, this perspective, and still perspective, this perspective, and still perspective, this perspective, and still be able to affirm the confession. And be able to affirm the confession. And be able to affirm the confession. And that's we we were talking about the New that's we we were talking about the New that's we we were talking about the New Hampshire Confession. It's a broadly Hampshire Confession. It's a broadly Hampshire Confession. It's a broadly reformed confession. Uh you know, if if reformed confession. Uh you know, if if reformed confession. Uh you know, if if you were a strong particular redemption you were a strong particular redemption you were a strong particular redemption guy, you can sign the New Hampshire uh guy, you can sign the New Hampshire uh guy, you can sign the New Hampshire uh confession, but it it doesn't say some confession, but it it doesn't say some confession, but it it doesn't say some of the things that you might say if you of the things that you might say if you of the things that you might say if you were only writing a document that was were only writing a document that was were only writing a document that was going to affirm particular redemption. going to affirm particular redemption. going to affirm particular redemption. So, So, So, um you know, substitutionary atonement um you know, substitutionary atonement um you know, substitutionary atonement certainly, you know, it's very clear on certainly, you know, it's very clear on certainly, you know, it's very clear on that. But, you know, that's that's an that. But, you know, that's that's an that. But, you know, that's that's an example of building room uh and allowing example of building room uh and allowing example of building room uh and allowing some theological latitude on certain some theological latitude on certain some theological latitude on certain things in order to promote the unity of things in order to promote the unity of things in order to promote the unity of the church as well as the purity of the the church as well as the purity of the the church as well as the purity of the church. And confessions at their best church. And confessions at their best church. And confessions at their best are thinking about both ends of those are thinking about both ends of those are thinking about both ends of those things. things. things. >> I think it's a fine balance because we >> I think it's a fine balance because we >> I think it's a fine balance because we want to have statements of faith that want to have statements of faith that want to have statements of faith that are robust enough where it's clear that, are robust enough where it's clear that, are robust enough where it's clear that, hey, we actually stand for stuff. Um hey, we actually stand for stuff. Um hey, we actually stand for stuff. Um but we also don't want a statement of but we also don't want a statement of but we also don't want a statement of faith that's so comprehensive faith that's so comprehensive faith that's so comprehensive that we're requiring agreement on uh that we're requiring agreement on uh that we're requiring agreement on uh from from members to where from from members to where from from members to where you basically have to be a really you basically have to be a really you basically have to be a really well-taught, really well-discipled well-taught, really well-discipled well-taught, really well-discipled Christian just to join the church.

Christian just to join the church. Christian just to join the church. Um Um Um and so I think one of the most and so I think one of the most and so I think one of the most counterintuitive lessons that we would counterintuitive lessons that we would counterintuitive lessons that we would commend to pastors from all of this is commend to pastors from all of this is commend to pastors from all of this is that one way to preserve sound doctrine that one way to preserve sound doctrine that one way to preserve sound doctrine is to leave ample room for Christian is to leave ample room for Christian is to leave ample room for Christian freedom. Now, the reason that's freedom. Now, the reason that's freedom. Now, the reason that's counterintuitive is because sometimes we counterintuitive is because sometimes we counterintuitive is because sometimes we doctrine guys might think, you know, uh doctrine guys might think, you know, uh doctrine guys might think, you know, uh we need to take a stand on everything. we need to take a stand on everything. we need to take a stand on everything. But, the danger in not leaving room for But, the danger in not leaving room for But, the danger in not leaving room for Christian freedom, i.e. the things as a Christian freedom, i.e. the things as a Christian freedom, i.e. the things as a church you've not agreed to agree on, church you've not agreed to agree on, church you've not agreed to agree on, the things that are not codified in in the things that are not codified in in the things that are not codified in in the statement of faith, the statement of faith, the statement of faith, is that you end up sticking more into is that you end up sticking more into is that you end up sticking more into the gospel than is there, demanding the gospel than is there, demanding the gospel than is there, demanding agreement on a wider a range of issues agreement on a wider a range of issues agreement on a wider a range of issues than the gospel itself requires, than the gospel itself requires, than the gospel itself requires, and therefore you run the risk of and therefore you run the risk of and therefore you run the risk of succumbing to legalism. So, it's a real succumbing to legalism. So, it's a real succumbing to legalism. So, it's a real fine fine fine uh uh uh kind of balancing act to figure that kind of balancing act to figure that kind of balancing act to figure that out. Um but, we want to be clear. We're out. Um but, we want to be clear. We're out. Um but, we want to be clear. We're not saying, I mean, the the Bible not saying, I mean, the the Bible not saying, I mean, the the Bible commands ministers to preach the whole commands ministers to preach the whole commands ministers to preach the whole counsel of God. Yeah. So, counsel of God. Yeah. So, counsel of God. Yeah. So, a pastor ought to speak a pastor ought to speak a pastor ought to speak biblically, courageously, prophetically biblically, courageously, prophetically biblically, courageously, prophetically about any number of issues that the text about any number of issues that the text about any number of issues that the text presents.

presents. presents. But, that doesn't mean that uniformity But, that doesn't mean that uniformity But, that doesn't mean that uniformity it must be required on every one of it must be required on every one of it must be required on every one of those issues in order to be a member of those issues in order to be a member of those issues in order to be a member of the church. I also think that as I look the church. I also think that as I look the church. I also think that as I look back on the history of my own back on the history of my own back on the history of my own denomination denomination denomination that that that the the leaders of the church have been the the leaders of the church have been the the leaders of the church have been very wise to recognize when when you very wise to recognize when when you very wise to recognize when when you don't need a hammer, all you need is a don't need a hammer, all you need is a don't need a hammer, all you need is a nudge. nudge. nudge. And they would very often, instead of And they would very often, instead of And they would very often, instead of um um um trying to add to the confession or add trying to add to the confession or add trying to add to the confession or add requirements, they would just they would requirements, they would just they would requirements, they would just they would produce a pastoral letter produce a pastoral letter produce a pastoral letter in which they gave a little nudge and in which they gave a little nudge and in which they gave a little nudge and they said, "We don't think this is the they said, "We don't think this is the they said, "We don't think this is the best way of handling things." And that best way of handling things." And that best way of handling things." And that was all that was needed to cause some was all that was needed to cause some was all that was needed to cause some sort of a goofy movement to collapse. sort of a goofy movement to collapse. sort of a goofy movement to collapse. Just a little pastoral nudge, and we can Just a little pastoral nudge, and we can Just a little pastoral nudge, and we can do that as pastors in a local church, do that as pastors in a local church, do that as pastors in a local church, too, because sometimes when you double too, because sometimes when you double too, because sometimes when you double down hard on something, you create a down hard on something, you create a down hard on something, you create a reaction.