What should I do with this?
So I haven’t posted in quite some time.
The reason: I read this blog. To Summarize, I’ll throw a couple of quotes below:
OK. I’ve come to a decision. I’m stopping blogging…I believe blogging is contributing to the erosion of biblical authority within local churches and within the Church Universal. Everyone thinks if they have an opinion that it is worth airing, even if completely cock-eyed, short-sighted, poorly thought out and with little biblical substance or support. I think it was James White who said that blogs were aggregators of ignorance. In a wide variety of locations this is sadly true.
He goes on to say:
Furthermore it has contributed to an increased democratisation of the Church, where pastors called and gifted by God are “verbally chastised” by folks who have neither the experience nor theological knowledge to really know what they are talking about and who have never been recognised or called by any local church, and indeed on occasion could never and would never be permitted into a pulpit…I am committed to the biblical authority structures of the local church and cannot with a good conscience continue to be part of something I fear is seriously damaging that structure.
I don’t take as strong of a stance as this pastor does and I don’t believe that my blog has created ‘unbibilcal’ debates, but I do feel that I am not trained / equipped to make as strong of a stance as I do in many of my posts. I am not sure that I am a qualified teacher and would like to pray about my future in this forum.
What do you all think? Where is the place for laypeople writing about their study? Is there a benefit to the church of theological blogs by laypeople or are they adding to the demise of truth in our society?
And on a more personal level, what should I be writing about? I’m not looking for validation or accolades. I started this blog as a place to think out-loud, but it has gotten a much larger following than I expected and I’m looking to see if maybe there is a better purpose / focus in what I’m doing here. What have you been most encouraged by? What have you ignored? Should I continue to “review” books or just write about what I’m learning?
I have been praying about this one for a couple of months and have an idea of where I want to take this blog, but would like to use your feedback to help me sort out my thoughts.
Thanks for reading and praying for me and my family.
June 1st, 2009Topic: Personal Tags: blogging
June 4th, 2009 at 12:58 am
this is a tough one my friend. First, I would definitely miss your posts if you were to discontinue blogging but if you truly feel the Lord is leading you to end this adventure I certainly won’t stop you.
I think many of your points (taken from Paul Wallace) are valid. However, I do believe that the internet (and especially blogging) is merely a forum, or medium, in which to spread good or evil, truth or lies – not much different than the ancient world’s marketplaces, Aeropagus, or even synagogues. There are many who abuse, misuse, cheat, lie and lead astray with this new medium. There are many who preach truth, edify, exhort, encourage and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ via blogs as well. I would definitely say that a decision one way or the other (to blog or not to blog) comes down to the individual.
I will say that in the case of your blog I don’t think I have ever not been encouraged, exhorted or at the very least roused into thinking. It does help that I get to interact with you outside of this forum as well!
I definitely think taking a step back from any project and re-evaluating is a great decision. I do believe most blogs benefit from focus, something that is lacking from many and probably the reason for much of the drivel, non-sense and lies all around the blog-world. Perhaps yours could benefit from such a step back. Think about why you started the blog, what its become and why you would want to continue. Think about who you want to be writing to. Blogs are much more than just journals as they have the ability to create conversation and discourse. Without focus that conversation can become diluted, unfocused and distorted.
If the issue is with the lack of ability to teach perhaps a good chat with an elder about the quality and content of the blog would be in order. God has given us mentors and leadership within our church who are profoundly blessed by His grace through wisdom and insight. Sharing our pursuits and endeavors with them can never be a wrong decision, especially when we are attempting to teach the gospel through those endeavors. At the very least having an elder (or elders) “check up” on your writings may be of great benefit to you, your readers, and the world at large.
I do agree that lay-people writing publicly can be a serious issue however if they have fellow brothers and sisters (from their own local church) and especially their church leadership reading their writings might they have the checks and balances necessary and then benefit from their own public writings?
Have not all sound Bible teachers started as lay theologians? But then most did not allow the entire world to read their inner musings, thoughts and struggles. Perhaps a private blog open to only a select few is the best place for these type of writings. I don’t know. I’ll be praying for you.
June 4th, 2009 at 12:59 am
I apologize! I just realized my response might have been longer than your original post!
June 14th, 2009 at 1:08 am
like the new direction and am thankful for the new layout. looking forward to seeing where this goes. thanks for all the fun!
June 29th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Well Matt –I personally will miss the “musings’ on your studies with Jonathan and some of the other bits and pieces of life within your family — –
— so it’s the “family” stuff I will miss –
Your theological writings , while I’m sure they are very good — are probably most often , way above my understandings
(Maybe one blog – more personal? – about everyday life at your house?-such as Jenna and Sarah do?) But then — whatever you are led to – - –
With Love and Prayers —
Grandma Joni
July 1st, 2009 at 2:33 pm
I appreciate your honesty and humbleness! I’m sure some of your peers and those in leadership around you could speak into your life about this. There are probably also some safeguards that you could have for yourself in order to avoid wrong teaching- praying over a post before putting it online, waiting a couple of days before the final post, asking someone trustworthy to read it first, etc.
But I also know that this has potential to be a great blessing. I pray to that end.