Chlorination

In a recent blog post, Patrick Mead answered a question from a reader regarding how much weight should be given to sources beyond the Bible itself (http://tentpegs.patrickmead.net/?p=1877).  The particular source in question was the writings of the Church Fathers, who were influential Christian scholars in the early centuries of Christianity.  Some of the earliest of these men would have been contemporaries of Christ’s apostles themselves and learned from them personally.

Mead answers the reader’s specific question with his usual grace and scholarship.  In doing so, he also addresses the dangerous tendency of some modern believers to only read among those who already agree with them or are on the reading list approved by their church leaders.  One particular quote really stands out: “Reading only writers already approved by your denomination or with whom you already find yourself in broad agreement is a form of intellectual incest. After a time, you will develop spiritual faults because you have cut yourself off from fresh material and broader community. Every gene pool needs a dose of chlorine from time to time and that includes spiritual gene pools."

The point isn’t that all other writings are on a par with the authority of the Scriptures.  Mead goes on to say: “The value in reading the church fathers and great reformers, restoration leaders, and contemporary writers is in broadening your community. There is no reason to read them as if they were authoritative on a par with Paul or John, but you might learn a great deal about Paul and John by opening yourself up to those old dead guys (and the new young guns of theology)."

Faith grows and matures in the context of community, even those parts of the community that disagree with me.  Exposure to different viewpoints might reaffirm my commitment to what I already understand the Bible to say.  But it may also reveal some flaws in my understanding.  It may cause me to see something I had missed in my study.  Either way, it is a valuable process.

God loves you!

Mike