YOU MIGHT BE A THEOLOGICAL SNOB
A couple of years ago, I got to meet Jeff Foxworthy. Foxworthy became popular years ago with his stand-up comedy routine "You might be a redneck if..." Today, everybody has their favorite redneck joke. As a country boy who spent his formative years in the south, I can attest to the fact that everything Foxworthy says is true. For example, if you consider pork and beans to be a gourmet food, I truly understand how that might make you a redneck.
Unfortunately, as a pastor, I've also learned what a theological snob looks like. On a regular basis, I meet with a friend in ministry whose life has been dramatically changed by what he likes to call "theological snobs." He's come to the conclusion that theological snobs can be spotted a mile away. I would argue it's closer to about five miles...depending on where your church is located. (In other words, you can find theological snobs in EVERY church). We can ALL suffer from this kind of snobbery if we aren't careful. Snobs come in all shapes and sizes. They can be pastors/elders, Sunday school teachers, doctors and even engineers.
It's also important to note that you can be a leader and NOT suffer from theological snobbery. I've met these servant leaders and they have what I like to call a "humble orthodoxy." They don't wear their theology on their sleeves and they certainly don't judge others when they refuse to adopt their lofty opinions.
So after spending a couple of years listening to my friend talk about how his favorite theological snobs have conducted business, I've asked for permission to share his extensive research. So here goes...
You might be a theological snob if you over-complicate the simplicity of the Gospel.
You might be a theological snob if the number of preachers you listen to can be counted on just one hand. Listening to a large number of preachers from different backgrounds makes theological snobs VERY nervous.
You might be a theological snob if your frequent criticism of others is expressed to everyone EXCEPT the person you're criticizing.
If you've ever given your wife tulips on special occasions like birthdays, wedding anniversaries or Reformation Day, you're definitely a theological snob.
If you get your panties (or boxer briefs) in a wad when another preacher doesn't agree with you or share your opinion, you might be a theological snob.
You might be a theological snob if you have a hard time saying "well done." Telling someone that they've done a good job obviously takes all the glory away from God.
If you're quick to exercise church discipline on the "big sins" yet tend to pass over the "lesser sins" (i.e. Gossip, white lies, anger, laziness, jealousy over another person's blessing, idle talk or over-eating) you might be a theological snob.
If you refuse to take responsibility for any pain or embarrassment that your patronizing spirit causes in someone else, you just might be a theological snob.
You might be a theological snob if you're only open to new ideas...that happen to be your own.
You might be a theological snob if you think the only way someone can truly understand the Gospel is if they are SUPER smart. (Having a theology degree from a "highly esteemed" reformed seminary also helps).
You might be a theological snob if you believe the only way to communicate the Gospel is through an exegetically sound sermon that has been pre-approved by a council of elders who revere certain unnamed reformed theologians.
You might be a theological snob if you cause disunity & ruin ministry collaboration...all for the sake of your cherished preferences. (Yup)
You might be a theological snob if you treat the Bible more like a text book to be memorized than the Word of God to be obeyed.
If you rely on your proper exegesis & expository precision more than the Holy Spirit, you might be...nope, you probably are a theological snob. (You definitely don't want to risk being called "charismatic" by other snobs).
You might be a theological snob if you act like a sermon is heretical when it sounds more like it came from the book of James than from one of Paul’s epistles.
You might be a theological snob if you SAY you cherish the Bible, yet refuse to follow what it teaches (especially on issues pertaining to unity and reconciliation).
You might be a theological snob if a church "insider" feels more comfortable listening to you speak than an "outsider" does. Using words that most people don't understand and quoting theologians that most people have never heard of helps.
If you've ever called Rick Warren a "heretic" and Andy Stanley a "light-weight" you might be a theological snob.
When your past life as a Pharisee dictates how you presently deal with your brothers and sisters in Christ, you might be a theological snob.
You might be a theological snob if your GIANT soap box includes anything you've ever heard your favorite theologian condemn in his books, sermons, podcast, or blog.
You might be a theological snob if you express "holy indignation" for teaching that over-emphasizes silly things like application, God's love, or human responsibility. On the other hand, you might be a theological snob if you spend more time talking about God's wrath than you do His grace.
As you've noticed, theological snobs regularly use their understanding of grace and the Gospel as something to brag about, but what they fail to remember is
that the Gospel is the very place where theological snobs go to die.
Earlier, I told you that I met Jeff Foxworthy a few years ago. I was a contestant on a gameshow he hosted that tested your Biblical knowledge. Before the game began, there was no question in my mind that we had this thing in the bag. There were two reasons I was absolutely certain we would walk away champions. 1. Everyone on our team had attended Bible college. 2. At the time of the filming, I'd been a pastor for over 25 years. DONE! There's no way anybody is going to beat us! Well, guess who got beat by three humble chefs from Alabama? You guessed it...the theological snob. (Speaking for myself, not my teammates). Theological snobbery begins when we think we're better than someone else.
For the record, there's nothing wrong with having Biblical knowledge. There's also nothing wrong with letting people know what we've learned. That's a good thing. It's like a parent displaying their children's good grades on the refrigerator when they come home from school with a big smile on their face. That's not pride...it's discovery and celebration. The truth should be humbly celebrated. The problem is when we use the truth for self-promotion, or to boast and demean others. Regardless of your age; six years old or sixty, humility should be our mode of operation when it comes to our theological knowledge. We HAVE nothing and we ARE nothing apart from the cross of Christ. If my theological position, preaching style or methodological preference makes me look down on others and treat them poorly...something is desperately wrong.
So, how will others know that you are in love with the Gospel and the Scriptures without coming across like a snob? Attending another conference with the word "Gospel" in it just isn't enough. It's really simple to spot a life that has been radically transformed by the cross of Christ. It is a life that is marked by humility and love. Wouldn't it be awesome to live in a world free from theological snobbery?
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor. (James 4:10)
Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him. This is real love- not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other. (1 John 4:7-11)
(Photo from: http://startupcamp.com/podcast/4-signs-of-wisdom-with-jeff-foxworthy/)
