Over at Eternal Perspectives, Mike Russell makes a case for self policing the Christian blogsphere in “The Vast Godblog Wasteland”. You’re probably not a card carrying protestant if you don’t agree with Mike about the lack of biblical understanding in the blogsphere, since we all claim we have a better understanding of Scripture than anyone else.
For the most part, those men and women who have dedicated their life to the study of Scripture do have a better understanding of hermeneutics and biblical principles than those of us who have to get up and go to work everyday and only study the bible as a hobby. However, maybe those of us who get up and go to work everyday have a better understanding of the application of Scripture than those who only study under other scholars.
Mike may not have intended to sound like an elitist, but he does. Could a Christian Leader sound any more elitist than this?
“Lest you think I'm playing favorites, I don't agree doctrinally on many issues with any of these bloggers. But I do respect them: they have either paid their dues and sharpened their skills through seminary, intense personal study, or both. (Actually, seminary without intense personal study isn't worth much; indeed, it can be worse than no seminary at all.)”
And this:
“Or maybe we need another "exclusive" blogroll, one populated only by those who adhere to some yet-to-be-determined evangelical litmus test. A kind of doctrinal Shibboleth not unlike those required of professors by Christian colleges and seminaries. Nothing that would exclude solely on the basis of denominations, but one that would include only those in agreement with some foundational beliefs shared by most denominations.”
What about those who have paid their dues by actually living a life of submission; shouldn’t they also have a voice in illustrating biblical application?
Mike then goes on to say:
“But for every one blogger who is genuinely endeavoring to rightly divide the word of truth, there seems to be ten who are either careless in their study, with their words, or both. Fortunately, most of the above enjoy a wide audience; sadly, so do some of the less-than diligent bloggers.”
I haven’t been in a church in 15 years where the pastor didn’t claim that all Christians have a responsibility to spread the Gospel. I wonder if Mike could clarify because now I am confused; Is it our responsibility to spread the Gospel, or is the Gospel to complicated for us common folk?
Mike finishes his post with more elitism by declaring that he doesn’t want to have anything to do the common folk:
“Personally, I'd just like to have a good place to go to read good scholarship. No politics or other hobby horses allowed. Sort of like a theological reading room. A place for an irenic exchange of ideas. A place of mutual respect and grace. A place where it's OK to be wrong, but a willingness to re-think a position or statement is present. A safe place.
And, most of all, a place of love. No name calling, cheap shots, or hit-and-run comments. A marketplace of theological ideas.
Maybe - just maybe - I'm looking for a L'Abri blog. A shelter for serious people wanting to talk about serious things. I wish I knew how to make it happen.”
Of course the blogsphere is certainly big enough for Mike to have exactly what he wants without ever being bothered by the rest of us. However, the blogspere is also big enough for everyone else who believes ideas, and concepts, and beliefs, should be challenged and can be defended.
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