How Evangelicals Became Over-Committed to the Bible and What Can Be Done About It by J.P. Moreland
Roger over at the A-Team Blog has posted on J.P. Moreland’s recent paper on evangelical over-commitment to the bible. Roger states firmly, “The vast majority of Christians desperately need to be more committed to the Bible, not less.”
I believe Roger misses Moreland’s point. Moreland’s addressing the general philosophical view of the Bible by evangelicals and not necessarily the individual’s study. The problem Roger points out actually makes Moreland’s paper all the more legitimate. When you have a culture of over-commitment to precepts and interpretations as the sole source of knowledge mixed with people who know very little about what the Bible says-only what they are told it says-it is a recipe for disaster.
This topic is exactly what I was addressing with my controversial post and podcast “The Idolatry of Truth.” I believe Moreland uses the word “bibliolatry” to describe the danger of placing the Bible as the sole source of knowledge.
Moreland’s had a change of mind over the past few years. I’ve heard rumors and buzz about it, and now that his book “The Kingdom Triangle” has been released by Zondervan, it’s clear Moreland’s approach is much more balanced. The Church can greatly benefit from J.P. Moreland’s wisdom. That’s something I definitely would not have said just a few years ago. I had serious issues with how Moreland approached the faith. It seems most of these issues have been resolved as J.P. seriously walks out his faith with sincerity and openness.
If I could only approach the faith as well as J.P. Moreland appears (from what I actually know of him, which is not a lot)…
Read his Paper:
How Evangelicals Became Over-Committed to the Bible and What Can Be Done About It by J.P. Moreland
Buy his book:
Kingdom Triangle: Recover the Christian Mind, Renovate the Soul, Restore the Spirit’s Power
Hi Alan,
Thanks for the reference. I don’t believe I missed Dr. Moreland’s point. I actually affirmed that in general the view he’s criticizing needs to be criticized. However, I don’t believe most evangelicals hold that view. Some do, but I think the case needs to be made to support the claim that “over-commitment” as defined by Dr. Moreland is common among evangelicals.
Roger Overton
November 27th, 2007
Thanks for responding Roger. I just feel that there are a lot of Christians under-committed to understanding what they believe, but they still have the same general attitude which Moreland addresses as over-commitment. They just take what they’re taught and then use the over-commitment Moreland speaks of. It’s the same problem, really. An over-emphasis on intellectual learning which does not leave room for holistic growth in Christ.
Alan
November 28th, 2007