Is the Christian faith a counterpoint to the chaotic worldview of postmodernism, it is cohesive, coherent, historical, just, affirms the truth and reveals itself, was it transmitted by the phenomenon of kerigma, of preaching?And I call it a phenomenon because its liberation and application are the work of the Holy Spirit of God?and also through the practice of pastoral education, church teaching and Christian families, catechism.
The Puritan Thomas Watson (1620-1686) opens his “Corps of Divinity”, a work that has become a classic in the important work of instruction of the Christian in the important doctrines of Scripture, with the following statement:?It is of the utmost importance It is important that Christians be educated on the foundation of religion. Is it the duty of Christians to stand firm and trust in the doctrine of faith?
- Basing his work on the Brief Catechism of Westminster.
- Watson felt.
- With the precision typical of the Puritans of his time.
- The essence of any theological instruction: “To be firm and based on doctrine and faith”.
- On the basis of this premise.
- It goes on to demonstrate the importance of theological instruction for a mature Christian life and a robust faith.
- Capable of resisting the trials of a false teaching and capable of bringing the Christian to the growth and firmness of faith.
There is much wisdom in Watson’s instruction, which in his words follows an ancient and successful tradition that has established itself as the most effective method for transmitting theological teaching to God’s people: catechism. The body of Christian doctrine is transmitted by the shepherd to the flock, through well-designed questions and answers and broad biblical bases. As a general rule, the basis of this theological body was the Apostles’ Creed, the Our Father, and the Ten Commandments. The pastor visited the faithful, strengthening their faith with exhortations to devotion and encouraging them to cling to the message of Scripture.
The practice of catechesis gained new vigor from the 16th century Reformation. The need to educate Christians in the faith led Church teachers to produce catechisms and confessions of faith that formed, at that time, one of the richest bodies of Christian doctrine. An example of the successful practice of catechesis was seen in Richard Baxter, a contemporary Puritan pastor of Thomas Watson, who was a great teacher of catechetical ministry. During his ministry in the small town of Kiddermister, in the interior of England, profound changes occurred due to Baxter’s pastoral zeal. It is said that when he came to town, we could count on the fingers of one hand those who were truly pious, but at the end of his ministry in this town that had just over 3,000 inhabitants, there was not a single house. where there were no believers. It is said that when a traveler passed through the streets of the city at a certain time of day, could the song of praise that was pronounced in the houses of that town be heard in the distance? [one]. In his masterpiece on pastoral activity, Baxter pays special attention to the catechetical work of the pastor, saying the following:
Our pastoral concern must be with the whole flock, with the whole community (?). We must focus on the people of the church; we need to know each manager, because how can we deal with them if we don’t know them?(?). Our job consists of: confirmation, progress, conservation, restoration and consolation [2].
In Baxter’s pastoral practice, his purpose was to “teach the fundamental points of doctrine, for the building up of the Christian and his progress in faith and truth”.
For centuries, theology has developed in the Church through pastoral requirements and an applied and disciplined study of scripture and theological knowledge has spread to Christians through preaching and intentional pastoral catechism aimed at the needs of God’s people. Our generation must remember this effective age and principle.
While the Internet and blog can really offer a good word to the reader or listener, solid instruction will be routine, pastoral, on Sundays, implying an investment of time and attention to the real problems people face. need to be monitored and blogs can’t do it for them. The virtual shepherd will have a virtual sheep.
From church to outside: some criteria for combining blog and theology
Having said that, I must admit that the Internet offers advantages for theological reflection. We do well to use this powerful tool. But we need goals, judgment, wisdom, and discernment if we are to offer content that blesses and builds God’s people. In the latter part, I would like to offer 15 tips to the Christian blogger to use as a principle in his texts and publications:
1. The blogger must be aware of the dangerous and independent environment of the Internet and, therefore, be very careful with choosing the content and language chosen to present it to his readers.
2. La production of theological reflections must be derived and motivated by love and zeal for the Word of God. He must work on his text to bring him back to Scripture, pushing him to develop a bereal spirit.
3. La good theology will always reflect the teaching of the scriptures in response to pastoral and ministerial demands and concerns.
4. La theological reflection should be part of ministerial work and not an end in itself.
5. The Christian blogger should remember that the Christian faith did not begin in his own generation, he must seek the support of the long and ancient series of faithful followers of Christ throughout history.
6) You must be humble and seek to work within the framework of your knowledge and ministerial experience (Pv 16. 18).
The Christian blogger must examine his own heart and discern the motivation that leads him to produce his text. What is the result?
8. The Christian blogger must be connected and have a fraternity with a local church. He will have virtually nothing to offer the reader if he himself is not part of God’s visible community on earth, the Church.
9. The Christian blogger must be a mature person in the faith, who elaborates his texts in a balanced, conscious and prudent way, always seeking to build the reader.
10. The Christian blogger should be familiar with theology. Are there many Internet theologians who have acquired their doctrinal knowledge by reading?Internet. Without the deepening of ecclesial life and the Christian academy, it is not appropriate to venture to produce a theological blog.
11. The Christian blogger must be very careful with ethics, especially when it comes to another brother in the faith. You have to treat the virtual player as if you were face to face with him.
12. The Christian blogger must reflect the values of Christian faith and ethics in his texts, seeking to offer a good, funny, true, firm and biblical word.
13. The Christian blogger should be careful not to engage in empty controversies, meaningless accusations, gossip, intrigue and arid discussions (Ephesians 5. 4).
14. The Christian blogger must have discernment not to address certain problems on the Internet. The blog will not always be the most suitable place to deal with the thorniest or most complex topics of the Christian faith, nor a place of exposure to dilemmas. and crisis of faith (this place is prayer and communion with the saints in the Church). You have to be sensitive to the reader who does not master certain topics and to the possibility of tripping over new ones in the faith.
15. The author of the blog must be someone who reads good theological books and is well informed of the theological tendencies and thoughts of his time. Charles Spurgeon, the great British preacher of the 19th century, speaking of the importance of books, said:
“Paulo was inspired by the Spirit, but he still wants books!He’s been preaching for at least 30 years, but he still wants books!You’ve seen the Lord, but you still want books!He was taken to the third heaven and heard things That man was forbidden to pronounce, but he still wants books!He wrote most of the New Testament, but he still wants books!The Apostle said to Timothy and in the same way said to all preachers, “Apply yourself to reading!”.
The man who never reads will never be read; the one who never quotes will never be mentioned. The one who never uses other men’s brain proves that he himself has no brain. Brethren, what applies to ministers is also true for all our people. Let’s read. Give up as many types of artificial readings as possible, but study as much solid theological works as possible, especially Puritan writers and biblical commentary. I am quite convinced that the best way for you to spend your free time is to read and pray. In this way, you will be able to extract a lot of information from the books, which you can then use as real weapons in the service of your Lord and Master. Paulo shouts, “Bring the books. ” Join him in this cry.
The Christian blogger must be convinced that he really has something important to say, that he has good advice to give, that he has a sure direction to point, that his word will be relevant and useful for the building of the Church and glory. .
May the Lord help us do theology with responsibility and wisely use the means at our disposal to spread the immutable truths of the Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ.
[2] Richard Baxter, El Pastor Aprobado (Pes: Sao Paulo, SP, 1996) p. 100; 102
[4] Ligon Duncan?quoting C. H. Spurgeon [sermon 452?Paul?His coat and his books?1882]; Dear Timothy, ed. Tom Ascol. (Faithful Editor: Sao José dos Campos, SP, 2005).
By Tiago J. Santos Filho. Excerpt from the book: Evangelical Blogs; The impact of the Christian message on the Internet 1a. Edition. , Organized by Valmir Nascimento. Glass-centric view: Campina Grande [PB], 2013, pp70-71. Used with authorization.