Finding Green Grass Amongst the Brambles
“You’ve got to learn the rules before you can break them.”
I first heard this quote from my college English teacher, but it’s taken me years to really understand its profundity. Before you can get clever with the syntax of a sentence, you need to grasp the mechanics behind how it works. I’ve found that maxim to be true elsewhere, too, especially when it comes to discipleship.
I don’t mean to imply that we “break the rules” in the sense that we abandon Scripture and forge some new path. What Scripture has revealed is binding in all times and all places. But once we’ve laid a solid theological foundation from trustworthy sources (by way of proven teachers and authors with a solid grasp on biblical truth) in those whom we’re discipling, then they may benefit by being exposed to and interacting with sources from less orthodox streams of the faith. In fact, it’s a sign of maturity when new and heterodox ideas don’t sway us from the truth (Eph. 4:14).
I appreciate my professor’s loving correction all those years ago. It’s true in language. It’s true in music. It’s true in art; once a skill is mastered the expert can color outside the lines to make beautiful avant-garde pieces, but the amateur will simply make a mess and lose his credibility.
So, when thinking about discipleship, when exactly should a Christian borrow an idea, a quote, or a book from those evangelicals who tend to color outside the lines?
BUILDING A FOUNDATION
Sometimes we rightly “red-flag” sketchy sources. Other times, we are over-critical about the resources those among us are picking up. The term “cage-stage Calvinist” has been in circulation for more than decade. Older reformed folks coined it to describe those who have just stumbled upon the glories of the doctrines of grace. The irony is that the term describes someone who has a zeal for the Word of God while simultaneously becoming arrogant and judgmental towards those who don’t line up with reformed orthodoxy (excluding, of course, their own foibles).
I introduce this stereotype at the outset not to pick on Calvinists still in cages but to remind them that a journey into theological depth should (hopefully) end with a more robust, charitable, humble faith that is true to Scripture and exudes the grace of Jesus (Jn. 1:14).
Sometimes zeal for the truth overshadows theological humility. Anyone who has ever interacted with someone in this “stage” of the Christian life can probably predict this suspicious line of questioning from the get go:
Older saint: “I just read this great book by Eugene Peterson.”
Younger cage-stager, while looking down their nose in a condescending fashion: “He isn’t reformed, is he?”
What should the older saint do in this situation? I suggest loving patience, grace, and above all, prayer. Guide these younger believers along the path of deep gospel truths that fall safely within the bounds of orthodoxy. Of course, we want to encourage younger believers to exalt truth. Yet we also want them to be able to read widely and discern carefully, even outside of their own theological camp.
Eventually, a thick enough foundation should be laid, that they will grow in the deeper truths of the Christian faith like charity and humility. After all, even those of us firmly embedded in the “reformed faith” would be quick to point out that we don’t own the corner of Christian truth. Plenty of those who we may disagree with on secondary matters (even if they’re wrong!) may very well be correct, and even helpful, on mining the depths of some of the primary teachings of Jesus Christ. We should eventually be able to recognize Jesus’ voice even when found in unsuspected places.
Learn how to feed the young sheep of Jesus the tried-and-true teaching at the center of the Christian faith, and eventually they’ll learn how to find good grass and self-feed even amidst the brambles.
KNOWING WHEN TO STOP
Learning to sift for good grass takes time. Discipleship is not a one-time event. It requires many hours of relational intentionality to bring someone up to maturity in the faith. Setting reasonable goals and setting time limits will benefit both parties well.
In addition, just as much wisdom is required to know when to stop feeding someone as it does to know what sort of menu to cook up for another’s theological diet. Trying to cram too much in will frustrate both the teacher and the student as eventually our minds reach a maximum capacity of new information. Be careful not to turn on the fire hose when those you disciple are only ready for a glass of water.
Over time, though, those we disciple will learn all the “rules” of the faith and grow enough in discernment that they will have the ability to explore new horizons. Just as a parent slowly expands the boundaries their child can explore—slightly farther away from the house each year—a maturing disciple can eventually wander a little outside the camp of the safe and known.
LEARNING TO RECOGNIZE HIS VOICE
A pastor I know is fond of asking other pastors, “What’s your favorite book that you wouldn’t recommend?” The question is almost an oxymoron—and it would’ve made me very uncomfortable in seminary—but I’ve come to recognize it for what it is: a mark of maturity.
As a church leader I try to be very careful about who I quote and who I recommend people read. We have a responsibility to ensure people are not led astray, and there are plenty of books out there that could start someone down the path to heterodoxy. However, it’s a sign of Christian maturity when you can read “outside of the camp” and chew up the meat while spitting out the bones.
We have to know what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and worthy of praise when we take into account what we expose others to (Phil. 4:8). We have to know the authentic truth in order to spot the counterfeits.
The older I get, the more books I read with heterodox theology. I’m not worried I’ll become a heretic because I know where the center of the faith is. I’ve learned how to color inside the lines and on occasion steal a gospel gem from those who color outside the lines.
Sean Nolan is a GCD Staff Writer that grew up in New York’s capital region. He married the girl that told him about Jesus and they have three children together. After three years pastoring in the suburbs of Baltimore he is returning to Albany to plant Engage Church.