Let's all join the Mennonites!

I have been reading a book lately called “Joy Unspeakable” by Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones. I have listened to some John Piper sermons this year in which he highlights great theologians—some from of old and some from of recent. Jonathon Edwards, Martin Luther, Martin Lloyd Jones, John Bunyan, and Calvin to name a few. For some reason I really like books right now that build up my theological thoughts and help me to understand God more. I love Piper! Jordan can attest to this.

So I bought some here for a few bucks and have begun reading. Among them was the one I already mentioned, “Joy Unspeakable”. The book is about the baptism and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Now, I know what you all are thinking, “Great, Jason has dove off into the deep end and is going to come back speaking in tongues and suggesting that we all join him in raising our hands and shouting to the Holy Heavens.” You don’t have to worry. I read with a skeptic’s mind and an open heart.

I began the book about 2 weeks ago and have read 5 chapters and really enjoy the read. I am not sure what to think about what the author says. I have followed along through scripture as he has referenced it and I have had some great conversations with friends here as I listen to their thoughts. But, I have come to no conclusion yet. I will not brief you upon the contents of the book, although it is somewhat from a charismatic standpoint, but I want to touch on a thought that has sprouted.

It would be wrong for me to quit reading because I might not see eye to eye with Jones, much like it would be wrong of me to just believe without searching Scripture and spending personal research time devoted to understanding and testing his point. But, I find myself wanting to write the guy off simply because what he teaches is slightly different than what I have heard. And really, I have not given any significant study time to be able to back up my side with any crediting evidence. I only know what I know because others believe it to be true and I just believe as they do.

As I pondered and prayed about the things that “Joy Unspeakable” suggests, I have sometimes wondered whether I really need to devote so much time and study to something that might not really matter. I guess I cannot say that it is not important, for the things of the Bible are valuable or they would not be in there, but we all know that there are more important things to apply to our lives and sometimes we can get trapped in the “petty” things.

It is easy to draw distinctions with different beliefs. “Well, the Baptists believe this, and the Presbyterians believe that. The Lutherans are different than me in this, and Pentecostals differ in this way.” In our society it is easy to draw lines and label groups of people. We are good at creating divisions and are sometimes unwilling to be united. I am one who mentally makes divisions all the time. “I am not them, they are different than me. I believe what I do, and they believe what they do.”

As a result, as I read thus said book, I quickly began to try and figure out the group of people who could be associated with the thoughts of the author. I have realized that I am less susceptible to receive the thoughts that are preached if I can associate them with a “certain group.” “Well, I don’t want to be labeled as one of them, do I?”

Sidenote (I hope I don’t lose you): Jordan and I have become close friends with a few Mennonite people from our church. We consider them some of our closest friends here. And we have had great discussions about their beliefs, values, and thoughts. They are not very different from mine. I mean, they hold to the gospel message and live for Christ daily. They only have a few minor detailed differences, and that is nothing for me to let get in the way. They are more conservative and have chosen to live without many of the things we have chosen to live with on a daily basis. They do without most name brand clothes, tvs and electronic gadgets, and many other common luxuries that we would consider part of our everyday lives. Their community is one that promotes purity in all forms. Oh, do we have something to learn from them!

So tell me, what should our life look like? We should strive towards purity and holiness, right? And this would suggest a call to live more like the Mennonites, right? I am not suggesting that everyone sell their tvs and move into huts so that they can become more holy and pure. But, many times we (myself included) live life like the world and allow things to hinder us. (My point is coming soon)

For example, lets stick with the TV idea since it is all fresh on our minds and it is the one that makes since for me. We all love TV and the shows that entertain us (trust me, I had a hard enough time missing college football this year and my current show LOST). But, what is tv nowadays: trash, sex, violence, bad language, and sacrilegious beliefs played out in everyday life of popular tv episodes. I don’t have to convince you on this one. Watch Friends for 3 minutes and you can count on hands and toes the amount of times sex is said or alluded to. But, yet we still watch.

And, if we follow the Mennonite point of view, we should consider living life without this hindrance if it is indeed a hindrance (notice my emphasis). I say this to encourage us to have a “maximized” attitude to our lives in Christ. This means that we “throw off” every thing that keeps us from knowing and bringing Glory to God. Yet, we settle for the “minimalists” view, which poses the question, “How much can I get away with and still be a decent Christian?” This question might be best illustrated by a small child testing his/her parents’ boundaries, a love struck teenager who has found his/her “perfect match” and wants to know the right physical boundaries, or a grown adult who has life “figured out” and just wants to “look good” among other fellow Christians. We have been asking the wrong question. We should ask ourselves how we can best glorify God.

God, examine my life right now and tell me the things that are hindering me from knowing you and bringing you Glory.

On the Mennonite example, I have wondered whether I will get a tv when I return home. I have basically gone 5 months now with hardly any tv watchage (my word). And, I have come to enjoy the fact that I can live without one. Does this mean that I am a Mennonite…or…that I just happen to agree with them on this. Maybe God is convicting me about how I waste my time with such useless, empty stuff? I don’t need to be labeled “Mennonite”, but I need to remember that I am not that different.

I am realizing that some of my thoughts, desires, and pursuits are not far removed from the Mennonites, and nor should I try to separate myself from them. Who knows what God wants to teach us through the Spirit? Are we closed off to certain beliefs because we don’t want to be labeled with a particular group?

I say all this to explain how I came about recognizing in Nepal my similarities with the Mennonites in this one particular idea. At first thought, I was usually quick to distinguish myself from the group, but as I entertained the idea, I soon realized that I cling to some of the same values that they do, thus making me somewhat like them.

So, back to my main thoughts on divisions from before…

We (again, myself included) are quick to say “that’s not me. I don’t believe what they do. I am not Mennonite, Amish, Pentecostal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, Church of Christ, or Baptist.” But, are we really open to what the Spirit might teach us. It is easy for us to just have someone else tell us what to think rather than to devote ourselves to personal study (via the Word and prayer with the Spirit). And we never actually search for ourselves, nor do we ask the Spirit. And maybe, if we did search the Spirit, we would find that our beliefs, values, and thoughts might be more closely aligned to that of the Mennonites, or any other groups’ thoughts and convictions for that matter.

Most great theologians from several years ago can be categorized and separated into different denominations. However, they all have one thing in common; they more than likely sought God over hours of Bible reading, meditation, prayer in the Spirit, and other extended times of study and spiritual disciplines. And we recognize them as great men led by the Spirit and who honored God with their lives, not men who were told what to believe.

Yes, I might finish “Joy Unspeakable” and find out that the theological standpoint that Dr. Martin Lloyd Jones takes on the particular issue that I am reading about is in disagreement with what I know to be true…or…I might come to agree with him. Who knows? But, I must remain open to the Spirit. I remain in danger if I do not.

(I hope this appears more than a jargled mess of words)

“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, and being one in Spirit and in purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others.”
-Philippians 2:1-4

PS>>> I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS. LEAVE ME A COMMENT IF THIS MAKES SENSE AND YOU HAVE AN OPINION.

***Notice***
I highly recommend “The Religious Affections” written by Jonathon Edwards. If you do check it out, you might want to find a copy that has the revised English. This has proven to be a great source to read and see into the thoughts of one of the early reformers of the church.