Quoting Tim Keller (Redeemer Pres. NYC)

Tim Keller says:

"An idol is something that we look to for things that only God can give. Idolatry functions widely inside religious communities when doctrinal truth is elevated to the position of a false god. This occurs when people rely on the rightness of their doctrine for their standing with God rather than on God himself and his grace. It is a subtle but deadly mistake. The sign that you have fallen into this form of self-justification is that you become what the book of Proverbs calls a “scoffer”. Scoffers always show contempt and disdain for opponents rather than graciousness. This is a sign that they do not see themselves as sinners saved by grace. Instead, their trust in the rightness of their views makes them feel superior."

Daniel Mann, member of Redeemer Pres., responds:

I certainly agree that whenever we exalt anything to the stature of God, we are committing idolatry, but doctrine/truth is the vehicle He has given us by which we savingly attach to Him. We can’t touch Him, we can’t see Him. Instead, believing His truth becomes the substance of our relationship with Him.

Of course, we can make an idol out of the doctrines of the Gospel, but we can make an idol out of anything. We certainly can convert our ministries into idols, our good works can become the source of pride and arrogance, even our prayers can serve to make us more spiritually “worthy” than others. The problem isn’t with doctrine; it’s with us. Although we often abuse doctrine, as we do all things, this shouldn’t become a reason disdain doctrine.

I think that Keller needs to further explain the distinction he makes between God and doctrine. (Isn’t doctrine required to set God apart from my next-door-neighbor? To know God? To trust Him?) It is unclear whether he is writing against the abuse of doctrine – to which we must all plead “guilty” on occasion – or the use of doctrine, the very vehicle that He has ordained to bring us to Him.

Keller then defines a “scoffer” as one who disagrees with a spirit of contempt. He is correct to point out that this attitude of heart contradicts the essence of the Gospel and is something that we have to be diligent about repenting of. However, we all disagree with others on occasion. Keller himself is taking issue with those who rely on doctrine, while we are taking issue with him. This is of course legitimate (Jude 3).

However, Keller is making a difficult judgment call. He suggests that those who exalt doctrine are unrepentant “scoffers” while he isn’t. (Meanwhile, he is promoting his own doctrine.) Perhaps he’s right, but I don’t see how he can determine this.

The Gospel without doctrine is a cup without sides. A God without truth or teachings is as meaningless as a dictionary without words. I pray that Keller will see that we do have legitimate concerns and that we will be able to demonstrate these concerns in love.

www.MannsWord.blogspot.com