There is a list concerning church trauma I am often asked about. Is it true, how should I respond, etc.? The list is antagonistic towards churches in a way that is both unhelpful and hypocritical. Rather than take on the list as a whole, I will be giving a response to each section. The biggest contention I have with the list is not that trauma doesn’t exist, but that the list is often a straw man argument or cover for one’s immaturity. Church is messy and a reflection of all the people in it. The format will be rating, the list in question, and my response.

The synopsis: False teaching is a reality we face

Warnings about false teachers and those that would walk away from the faith is something the Bible addresses. There are aspects of the Bible which are hard to take. Relationships are like that. I would not be surprised if pushing back on this list with those who hold to it would do the same thing they call church abuse. Many in the deconstructionist camp act like fundamentalists, they just switched teams. Disagree with their theology (this list) they will label you a heretic (abuser) and tell people to separate from you (fundamentalist). The question I have is why can’t God have boundaries when clearly we do? 

The List: Fear Driven Theology

• Hell is used as a fear tactic to keep you in church/Christian
• Exploring other hell theology means you’re denying God
• “Agree with what we believe or you can find another church”
• Doctrine is pushed over love
• Your salvation can be lost and is dependent on your strict “obedience”

The Response: Truth matters, and we need a positive & negative narrative for change

Much of the New Testament is geared towards false teaching creeping up in the church. Whether it is the legalism of the judaizers of the day or those who deny Christ, the NT warns us to be aware of false teaching. One of the primary roles of a pastor is to guard against false teaching. Do not stand for solid doctrine is to disobey God’s Word. While people have differing viewpoints, not all viewpoints are valid or stand the test biblically. There are areas to disagreement, and there are also areas where if disagreement exists, one is not a Christian.

There are three levels to doctrine. Primary doctrine, or fundamentals of the faith, are those doctrines if you do not hold, you are likely unsaved and for sure a heretic. These doctrines would include the inerrancy of Scripture, Christ born of a virgin, Christ living a sinless life, Christ performing miracles, Christ being fully God and fully man, Christ dying for our sin and rising again on the third day, Christ returning in the flesh, and the Trinity. There is debate on wether or note eternal Hell is a fundamental of the faith, a position I am leaning towards. If a teacher or leader in the church does not hold to these doctrines, they need to be called to repentance and excommunicated if repentance does not happen.

The second level of doctrine are matters of strong agreement. To disagree would likely mean not being able to work together, but I would not use the term heretic or unsaved. They’ll be in the Heaven, but just “wrong” in their viewpoint. These doctrines would include view of the millennium, eternal security of the believer, Spiritual gifts, Baptism, Communion, etc. These doctrine effect how one functions as a Christian and as a church. If one disagrees with one of these doctrines it likely means moving to a church family that agrees. Third level doctrines are important to discuss and study, but should be held loosely. If and when there is a rapture, are we a whole or made up of parts, and in what order did God plan salvation and the fall of man for some examples. Pushing one out on tertiary matters is silly.

Doctrine over love is a double edge sword. Love of who? The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. Paul says we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. There is an element of fear to the Christian faith. The upcoming judgement of God over the whole world and the consequence of Hell also stir up fear. This is what I call the negative narrative of Scripture. We need a negative narrative to push us in the right direction to grow. This is true both psychologically and spiritually. There is a cost to not living a dynamic Christian life. The Gospel, Heaven, and redemption are the positive narrative we need to pull us towards Christ. The negative and positive narratives of Scripture push and pull us towards Christ.

All of us have boundaries we do not let people cross. Why is God not allowed to have them? This is the biggest issue with the list makers. Why does God have to be lesser of a person and bow to our desires? If we were to write 66 books on you, I am sure there would be things that are hard to take. Some doctrines of you would be fun, some would not be. Some doctrines would be essential for accepting you for who you are. Yet, we do not let God be that way? So we craft Him in our image. Biblically that is called idolatry. The irony is the list is doing what the list decries. There is a consequence to sin and not having a relationship with God who made you.