The truth is I fully understand the negative reaction. If one has been entrenched in a model such as age segregation for so long and then for someone to question the practice and put forth that it is unbiblical will often engender an adverse reaction. In my seminary training age segregation was taken as a given and in all truthfulness was accepted because of worldly psychological theories rather than any biblical commands. If there was a biblical conviction it was that we needed to share the gospel and so we need to do what ever was necessary to do and since psychological theory said we learn best being in our own age group that is the model that was accepted. I truly believe that the best intentions were put forth but as has been said before; the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Good intentions are not what we are held accountable to but scripture is. We need to seek out in all we do to be true to scripture 2 Tim 3:16-17 says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” Is it tough to give up the practices that have been so drummed into us over the many years of use, yes. But that is exactly what we need to do. We need to return to not only proclaim the sufficiency of scripture but to actually seek to live out that claim. To do this one needs to truly believe that scripture is sufficient for all of life, and let me assure you that the word of God, all of it, is just that “SUFFCIENT.”
There have been some that have tried to argue that the Hebrew children were segregated for teaching or that the Puritans separated out their children for training. Without dealing with the validity of each of these statements the issue is not what others have done, as helpful as that may or may not be, but what scripture says. The actions of those before us can help inform us but our actions need to be directed and driven by the word of God. When we face God for our actions we will not be able to use the actions of others as an excuse when we have the word of God so available. Again, this is not to minimize those that have gone before us but often we not only learn from their successes but also from their failures. Man is fallible and prone to error but God is not and neither is His word and that is why we are called to follow God and not man.
At the end of the day the issue at hand is the sufficiency of Scripture and age segregation is just one of the results of not holding to Scripture as sufficient for all areas of life. One needs to ask; if the professing church gives up the sufficiency of scripture in the area that the movie Divided touches on what is next. The Gospel is grounded in an all-sufficient scripture not a somewhat sufficient scripture. The Gospel is grounded in the word of God that was given to His people so that they could worship Him in all they do and how we disciple youth is one area we are not glorifying God as we should because by and large the professing church is telling God we know better. So let us return to Scripture for all we do including how we disciple.
The Divided site has a number of FAQ to help deal with questions about the movie. Also, here are some other reviews of the movie:
- When Man's Traditions Collide with God's Law - Corban and Sunday Schools – Kevin Swanson
- Response to Tim Challies Review of Divided Movie – Fred Wolfe
- A Review of "Divided: the Movie" – Buddy Hanson
- Tim Challies’ Harsh Review of Dividedthemovie.com – Scott Brown (this also includes a link to Tim Challies review of Divided)
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4 comments:
Tony, thanks for the comments. This debate has really hit home within our community as of late. The sufficiency of Scripture is the ultimate issue, not just for discipleship and education, but all spheres of life. Reformation, as I understand it, is really being "conformed to the image of Christ" in all we do. It is ironic that so many "bible believers" really only believe the parts that are comfortable to them.
Sola Scriptura!
Hi Devin:
I agree, the issue is by what standard does one conduct ones life. This is not to be restricted to just one day a week, and even there it seems there is a question in the professing church, but in every sphere.
I heard James speak on his show that there had been discussion of this subject. I pray the discussion is fruitful and at the end fo the day they all revolve around God's word and seeking His glory. I will pray for your body as this is a difficult area for many that have been entrenched for so long in humanism and the culture of individualism. But the great hope is that God is greater than our sin and can change desires and affections.
Thanks for your concern and prayers. I'm afraid the other side has stopped their ears at this point in time, but my prayer is that reformation will continue as God has his way in the lives of his people. We are thankful for all He has done and are continuing to press forward in obedience despite the depressing times in which we live. I am praying for the attitude of Nehemiah and those who helped him, "Let us rise, and build..."
Devin:
The great hope and we have is that if we seek to obey His word in all we do we are then doing what most glorifies Him. Trials and tribulations may surround that obedience but our call is to obey and it is not a call to comfort. What I think is hard is that often the most resistance that is felt comes from within the church from professing believers and not the outside world. I will continue to pray for you and James and that reformation will truly continue.
Grace and Peace,
Tony
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