Part IV  narrated some of the criticisms against modern Evangelicals. Critics complain that the latter are unlike their forefathers, who were known as pro learning. They believe that the descendants left universities, public arenas, and crammed themselves within the four walls of the church, and became activists for only two moral issues- abortion and gay marriage. This in turn left the 21^st C generation to label the church as out of touch and irrelevant to address the challenges of this difficult era.

This is not the position Jesus wanted His church to be. Jesus commanded His disciples to become light and salt to the world. For this, He trained the twelve and commanded them to reach out the world with His message by acting like the yeast does to the dough. How on earth a church that is judgmental, builds fences around, and isolates itself from the heat act like yeast? The yeast interacts with the dough and turns it, whatever big its size may be, upside down and transforms it slowly and gently but surely.  It takes to love the world (because He loved it and died for it), go out boldly, and relate with it. However, when we see where the church is today, one may wonder whether the prediction of Jesus came to pass. He warned His disciples that if the salt loses its saltiness, it will be thrown out and men will tread up on it.

If you would like to read the full article, you may click here …

As I conclude my personal pilgrimage to understand why we modern Evangelicals failed our forefathers, I would like to leave you with hope. Though there is an embarrassing anti-intellectualism attitude among many Evangelicals and state of the church is saddening, it looks like new breed of Evangelical leaders are coming. You have already read it from the result of my research. On top of this, I personally know a couple of Pastors who could have settled where they were like their peers but enrolled at universities to learn more and lead their congregations with excellence. Still, I am not saying that everybody should go to school. What I am saying is that, as leaders, they should commit to study hard and approve themselves before God and men.

The END!

Introduction

Looking at the universe filled with interdependent creations and life-sustaining galaxy like ours, it is self explanatory that the Creator had thought strategically and planned it well. “God is a thinking God, and as such must be coming up with new ideas constantly”[i]. In Genesis 1: 26, this thinking God created man after his own image. Therefore, mankind should also be skillful in thinking and planning as like begets like.

In Part III , I shared with you the reservation I have had concerning some man-made doctrines and dogmas that undermine age-old wisdoms and principles. I also lamented that the results and achievements of past revivals shouldn’t be abandoned altogether and individual ministries within the Evangelical denomination should buy into God’s business of building the Body where each and every ministry and individual should have a part to play. The latter takes to genuinely acknowledge and appreciate one another’s gift, calling, and wisdom for the sake of harmonious and healthy functioning of the Body. Most of all, modern Evangelicals shouldn’t desert the legacy of the founding fathers of the faith. One of their heritages was their pro education and learning attitude.

Unfortunately, in the past couple of centuries, Evangelicals have been deviating away from learning. There is a big discrepancy one can easily notice between the reformists- the founding fathers of our faith, and we- the modern evangelicals, when it comes to learning. I was shocked, especially during the first few years of my conversion and as I was trying to fellowship with some Evangelical friends, to learn that there is a deep-seated hatred for innovation, thinking, creativity, and science.

Of course, at first, I felt a déjà vous because this behavior- though mild, was there among some of new convert Orthodox friends who tried to talk me out of pursuing a higher education. Nonetheless, the behavior I observed here among Evangelicals was radical and combatant. So many times, I was rebuked and ridiculed- both directly and indirectly, for my little efforts to innovate and strategize (of course, I am the least among creative and innovative people).

I remember attending a sermon where a Pastor angrily preached against intellectuals and learned people within his congregation. He mockingly declared that “What we need is those with big hearts, not big heads”. This and similar sermons are common to note among some Evangelical churches. Because of poor exegetical analysis of some scriptures, many of them think that God is against the learned, science, creativity, excellence, the mind, thinking, and so on.

Many fanatic religious people think that these and similar activities are the functions of the mind and the things of this world. They forget that the founders of the faith- the reformists like Martin Luther and Calvin were pro education and encouraged the use of the mind. Europe has been enjoying the results of reformation these great leaders initiated. The same with the Puritans- the forefathers of Evangelicals in the US.

The Puritans left their homeland in search of religious freedom and founded the US. They were pro learning. Today’s big universities like Harvard, Preston, and Yale were established to train clergy men. The influence of the Puritans is very visible whether it is on the Bible like Constitution of the US or the culture that favors education, creativity, and innovation. Now, the conservative base- most of whom are Evangelicals, are blamed of leaving learning institutions and of reducing the legacy of the Puritans into two issues- opposition against abortion and gay marriage! I have read some books written by Evangelical authors and also personally encountered with some zealous American Evangelicals who have observed that modern Evangelicals are leaving public arenas and cramming themselves within the four walls of the church. This worries many because, in their new found position, Evangelicals are far from influencing public policies and are becoming less and less influential. Some people express their sadness as they witness the legacy of the Puritans shrinking and at the verge of extinction under the watch of Modern Evangelicals.

Coming back to the poor exegetical analysis of scriptures some Evangelicals are using to promote their anti-intellectual agenda, they use Jesus’ and Paul’s words to undermine learning. They quote Jesus out of context when He said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure” (Luke 10:21, NIV). Someone has to carryout proper exegetical analysis to interpret this statement of Jesus. There should be lots of factors one should consider before making conclusive remarks and use this scripture to attack the learned and wise. The least interpretation I expect; however, God is against the wise and learned. It is a very sarcastic generalization.

When we look back, yes many called wise and learned rejected the simple truth of salivation through Christ. Since the then learned guys despised God’s gift, they were barred from enjoying its benefits while those who had child like faith entered into the Kingdom of God by believing the teachings of Jesus. However, this doesn’t mean that God’s pleasure is always hiding His will and salivation against the learned ones. I cannot picture God vowing not to save and/or use the learned and wise people. I cannot also imagine God erecting a pillar of fire to separate the wise and the learned from knowing His agendas. I am also far from thinking God entering everlasting covenant exclusively with unlearned. By the way, I am not yet learned and this is not self defense at all J lol As far as I am concerned, God loves people regardless of their educational background and I don’t think that there is simple demarcation like “God is for or against this or that group of people” and based on their educational background!

However, we should be reminded that God is not against wisdom or wise or learned people. Jesus Himself, who aired the above remark in Luke 10:21, had been praised not only by the public but also by His foes as a wise teacher. Paul called Jesus the power and wisdom of God. By no means, the above statement of Jesus should lead someone to think that God is against wisdom or wise and learned people. His call for salivation is for all regardless of their education level. Education should not be an issue to become Jesus’ disciple. Jesus had both learned and unlearned disciples. Some of them were laymen while some where accomplished learned men among their peer. Two of the four Gospel writers- Matthew and Luke, were learned individuals. Luke was a physician while Matthew was an accountant.   

They also misquote Paul who said, “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise” (1 Corinthians 1: 27, NIV). Mind you, Paul didn’t say God chose foolish people. True men and women of God have astonished their generation by their extraordinary wisdom. For that matter, the Bible says, Moses the law giver “was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action” (Acts 7: 22, NIV). Think about the kind of professors assigned to teach the young Moses, who was supposed to become the next Pharaoh of the then super power country! And think about the diverse and intense education he was provided! No wonder why God intentionally sent him to the palace. God was smart; He used the Egyptian, their personnel, and resources to train and enlarge the outlook of His giant servant J  lol

Apostle Paul himself who wrote the above note was taught by Gemalia, who was a celebrity among Jewish scholars. If there was formal education, Paul did his PhD in Philosophy under the supervision of Gamalia. Think about it and without bias: God used two pro learning servants, Moses and Paul, who were pillars of the Old and New Covenants, respectively. Think about the implications of Judaism and Christianity without Moses’ writings? Think about Christianity without Paul who wrote the two-third New Testament books?

Remain tuned for Part V (Final)…

From Part II , you could easily be able to appreciate the discontentment I have had since my conversion to Evangelical denomination, for almost more than a decade. I took ample time to make sure that I am not blindly discrediting the denomination or not yet again seeking another conversion in search of better spiritual experiences. Rather, I tried to show you a balanced view of how all religions have their own version of imperfections where Evangelicalism is not exceptional.  I also complained that the problem many people don’t want to join Christianity or left it because of man-made doctrines and dogmas, not because of Jesus or His teachings.

I presume that, part of the problem why we see mushroomed doctrines and dogmas that have been burdening the people of God so heavily is structural. There is no check and balance. No accountability! Unlike in other denominations such as Catholics and Orthodox, individual ministry has the freedom to adopt its own doctrine and dogma. I am not blaming the organizational flexibility we Evangelicals are enjoying because this same flexibility allowed many ministries to reach out and preach the Good News to the world without bureaucratic hindrances.

Of course, there are many responsible servants of God who first passed through the learning process by going to Christian colleges and universities before they try to interpret scriptures to come up their own version of new dogmas and doctrines. I believe that, even if someone alleges that he had heard from God to serve, he should have taken adequate time to go to school (or seat down to make intensive research and thinking), learn how to make proper exegetical analysis to interpret scriptures, study the history of how his denomination came to picture, and the servants of God who have come before him, and many more.

Since many bypass this stage of wilderness/preparation/study, they undermine the big picture, try to act as if they are the Body, and institute their new revelations by overriding past achievements of many men and women of God. I am not despising anyone here or acting disrespectful. I am clear about one thing- God had been sending His servants throughout our history with unique insights to resolve crises and challenges. We call these interventions revivals. Since revivals are the results of God’s intervention, I am respectful and appreciative of them. I honor and exalt these leaders who obeyed God to carry out those revivals that brought lots of healings, freedom, and fulfillment into the Body of Christ.

What I am not comfortable is when someone misunderstands the continuity of God’s refining work to edify, prune, and lift the state of His people; when someone overrides preceding revelations and suggests damping the fruits of previous revivals, and discrediting age-old wisdoms and principles. The trouble is when one thinks that he knows God more than past great men and women of God and/or when he thinks that he has already knew what he should know about God and His agendas; and most of all, when that person becomes judgmental and tries to impose his new discoveries on everyone as commandments.

I have difficulty with this notion. First, God is in the business of building the Body of Christ where each part plays important role. However, no one part or person is indispensible in the expense of the rest. Second, God has never been a God who starts new foundation; He builds on what had been already there. Before He set His Hand to initiate the creation process, He had seen the end and had the big picture in His mind. The New covenant is the continuity of the Old covenant. Even if Jesus had the authenticity to create His own new laws and burden people with heavy dogmas and doctrines, and act as if no one right had come before Him as a prophet, He said that I didn’t come to abolish the Prophets and laws; rather, to reinforce them. What a humble personality?!

While writing this part, I remembered the parable of the blind men and the elephant they touched to learn what it is like. Each of these blind men touched a different part of the elephant such as the side or the leg or the tail or the tusk. They then compared their observations to learn that none of their notes completely agree. Surprisingly, none of them called that creature Elephant based on their partial touch of his parts! This is a popular story used as a parable concerning the fact that people have a tendency to know only a tiny segment of truth and then extrapolate all manner of dogmas and doctrines from which they claim that their version is the right one.
 
It is beyond the scope of this commentary to explain doctrines and traditions within the Evangelical denomination, I consider unproductive, unscriptural, and most importantly in contrary to the original intend and belief of the very founders of the faith. I am here to share with you one of them. Of course, I am not here acting like an expert or a man who knows the full extent of the problem. I am also here raising a question than suggesting any final resolution. I am not here to teach you anything new but rather provoking you to think and reach your own conclusion while reading my sacred pilgrimage to understand why there is a huge gap between us- the modern Evangelicals, and the founding fathers of this faith.

Remain tuned for Part IV...

I genuinely believe that everyone thinks his religion- be it Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and so on, is the right one. Even atheists who don’t believe in the existence of God or those who never associated themselves with any form of religion or ideology believe that where they are right now is the most comfortable place to be or else they would have already made conversion. Of course, there are exceptional cases where some people in some parts of the world couldn’t make that conversion because of many external factors beyond their will. Except in the latter cases, the majority of us could convert to a religion which we think is right. I am privileged to have that choice in 1993 and again in 1999.

Though my parents were from Orthodox Christianity and I was taken to church once in awhile, throughout my child and boyhood, I was unable to take time and seek God by myself. I never read the Bible. I could say that, I didn’t have a religion of my choice. For that matter, I wasn’t exceptional- almost all of my peers and relatives where in the same boat- we weren’t acquainted to the Bible or God though we were classified by birth as Christians of a particular denomination. I presume that, this trend had been there for centuries and I am not here complaining and/or accusing any one in particular.

However, in one fateful day, I was introduced to a congregation that was a result of revival within the Orthodox Church. I am not sure the exact date or month but I assume that it was in 1993. For the first time, I came to know that there was the Son of God who came on earth and liberated us from Satan’s bondage. Without taking much time, I had shown such a great interest that I dropped other commitments to pursue God and His calling in my life. Looking back, I still wonder how that kind of revival was initiated and sustained within a very conservative denomination. I and many young guys formed a kind of youth fellowship in our village and carried out a revival of our own. It still surprises me to know that we were well taught about Jesus, healed sick, and casted out demons in His Name. Many idols of our parents’ were burned and we brought our own parents to the Bible, which they never had read before.

In the middle of this revival, I got a passing grade and should enroll at Addis Ababa University. A few of my friends tried to talk me out while some questioned whether I should leave that powerful revival since I was leader of the fellowship. Though I didn’t know whether the Holy Spirit resides within us when we accept Jesus as our savior, there was a voice that told me not to camp there. With lots of prayer and fasting, I moved on. It was hard to let go off such a successful movement and register to become a student but, looking back, it was one of the defining moments in my life.

Of course, there were many interesting stories and happenings around that time but I would like to share with you one feature of newly converts like me in those old days. When we were introduced to the Bible and Jesus, most of us abandoned what we were doing somewhere else. Some of the ‘A’ students started to score ‘C’ and even ‘F’. We almost thought that we should forsake everything we were doing including learning, following news, wearing good and stylish clothes and shoes, and so on. We thought we found our destination and tried to create radical and unique community of converts. That was why leaving to the capital city to pursue my education was perceived as a backsliding act and a disloyalty to the faith, and my peers.

With our little life experience and limited spiritual information, training, and mentoring, we shouldn’t be blamed for our short-sightedness and radical behaviors. Rather than seeking further wisdom, knowledge, and principles, we thought we figured it all and acted as if we knew it all. Of course, I later learned that many members of that group went to get diplomas and degrees. Still, some of them got converted into the Evangelical denomination, pursued theology, and are serving.

Remain tuned for Part II...

We are at the end of one year, a couple of days away from a new one. What a privilege to get another chance. Many wanted to see this season but couldn’t. We should be thankful and happy. However, we should also be accountable for the chance we are given. How we become accountable, you may ask? It can be achieved by being prepared to exploit each day allocated in the coming year. The question is, “Have we ...