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“Shoehorn" Pastoring
| A shoehorn is used to
force a person’s foot into a shoe. Many pastors see this approach to
questions as a way to get people to stop asking questions. For example,
a person might ask a pastor if what is called “The Great Commission”
was given to Israel or the church. He could respond by saying it was
given to those who were going to be the church. This approach dismisses
follow up questions such as has the church replaced Israel, is there a
future role for Israel, and is this a requirement for every individual
Christian today.
Another verse that can cause one to question is Matthew 21:22 “And all
things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall
receive. “ People who try to apply this and discover it is not
true are often told that it was because they did not have enough faith
or that God does answer prayer but sometimes he says “No”. These
responses are often used to get the questioner to desist. A real answer
is that Jesus was telling those faithful in Israel that in the earthly
kingdom when they are supernaturally changed by God to have the law
written in their hearts (Jer 31:31-33) that they could be trusted to
have their requests granted.
Instead of saying, “I don’t know”, or “Let’s find out”, the common
pastoral reflex is to speak authoritatively to quash the question. This
can be done for convenience, to protect doctrine, or to maintain the
image of one’s expertise.
1. Platitudes. Responses like. “We just have to love Jesus”, are sort
of an “answer” that is selected to prevent further questioning
rather than seek truth.
2. Esoterica. Making a reference to some obscure doctrine, church
father, or theological proposition can create a fog of disinterest that
can quench questioning.
3. Popular convention. In response to the Matthew 21:22 verse a
shoehorning pastor might say, “Everyone knows that God answers prayer,
but sometimes he says “no”.
4. Allegorizing. Jesus tells his disciples that if they had faith they could tell a mountain to move.
A pastor might explain this as a metaphor to refer to solving big problems.
5. Dismissing. A pastor may declare that there is no future role for
the nation of Israel because all of the prophecies for the nation are
fulfilled in Christ. This sweeping statement creates a lens through
which much of the bible can be now disregarded.
6. Heresy. A pastor might respond to an unwelcome question with a hint
that such questioning is a dangerous line of inquiry that threatens
sacred doctrine.
A pastor is supposed to be a shepherd who is apt to teach. Sadly what
is often “taught” is a package of denominational doctrine that is not
to be questioned. Even when twisting scripture to fit a predetermined
package is not needed, it can be done to avoid exposing ignorance or to
appeal to an audience.
2Ti_4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; |
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