Guarding Against Presumption
November 17, 2006
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). Or as Eugene Peterson puts it in his translation, The Message, “Don’t be in any rush to become a teacher, my friends. Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards.” The reason for more strict judgment “is obvious. The pretence of knowledge adds to the teacher’s responsibility and condemnation” (A.T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament). Jamesreminds us of Jesus, who condemned Jewish teachers (Mt. 23:1–33; Mk. 12:40; Lk. 20:47) and said that even our casual words would be judged (Mt. 12:36). Furthermore, Jesus taught that people are responsible for what they know (Lk. 12:47–48). The teacher claims to know and set himself or herself up as an example for the church . . . . How responsible must such people be on the day of judgment! (D.A. Carson, New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition).
James’ admonition weighs heavily on my mind. I post three blog entries on His Evidence each week. I suspect that some readers might accuse me of presuming to be their teacher. In addition, I find myself positioned to lead a small group of highly committed rising Christian leaders through the Servants Quarters Program, the core of which involves studying Christian worldview, particularly as it informs Biblical values of stewardship and servanthood. That leadership role certainly looks a lot like the dangerous teaching positions about which James warns.
Various Biblical commentators have described James’ caution. Believers ought not “hastily” or “too eager[ly]” assume “the privilege of teaching” (Jamieson et al, A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments; M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament). We ought not be “overly anxious to speak up and show off” (Walvoord, Zuck & Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures). We ought not give ourselves “the air of teachers, imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of learners” (Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible). As James puts it earlier in his letter, “Everyone should be quick to listen [and] and slow to speak” (James 1:19).
With these warnings ringing in my ears, I find myself wondering how I got myself into this mess. I trust and hope that I’m here because I faithfully have sought to follow the Lord’s lead. Both of the projects I mentioned – His Evidence and Servants Quarters – result from my participation in the Wilberforce Forum’s 2006 Centurions Program. This program
is designed to develop and equip an ongoing fellowship of Christian men and women . . . trained by Chuck Colson and the Wilberforce Forum to restore our culture by effectively thinking, teaching, and advocating the Christian worldview as applied to all of life.
As a Centurion, I have made a “lifelong commitment” “to find[ ] the truth and lead[ ] others to it,” and “to shape culture by living out a biblical worldview in [my] spheres of influence.” Sounds like a bold and arguably presumptuous project, doesn’t it? (The foregoing quotations are taken from the 2006 Centurions Program description. 2007 Centurions Program information and application instructions are available here.)
Another question I regularly ask myself concerns what I am doing daily to heed James’ warning that not many of us “should presume to be teachers.”
My first line of defense is the practice of spiritual disciplines, including prayer, solitude, fasting, Bible study (both individual and with other men), corporate worship, etc. When I manage to consistently engage in these various disciplines, I more routinely practice the Kingship of Jesus (cf. Acts 17:7). My thoughts, words and deeds better reflect the reality that He is with us (Psalm 139), that we are with Him (Colossians 3:1; Ephesians 2:6; 2 Corinthians 4:16-18), and most importantly, that He is “preeminent,” “before all things” (Colossians 1:17-18). The more I focus on the King, the more I am reminded of the chasm between the Father and me, and of my utter dependence upon His grace to bridge that divide. In other words, when I focus on Him, it is much easier to avoid presumption. (I am grateful to T.M. Moore for the collection of Scripture references, and to Jai Kim for reminding me of the importance of spiritual disciplines as a first line of defense against presumption.)
The very nature of my work naturally creates a second line of defense against presumption. Striving to achieve the restoration of culture produces no, or at most a few tiny, concrete results in the short term. Hence, it is not difficult to conceive of myself as a mere laboring servant, tilling the soil, sowing some seeds for the Kingdom, perhaps watering others, and trusting in God to make things grow (1 Corinthians 3:5-9). The restoration of culture and the manifestation of the Kingdom obviously will be achieved through God’s power rather than mine (Charles Colson, Kingdoms in Conflict, p.292.)
My third line of defense lies in conscientiously seeking the wise counsel, support and oversight of mature Christians in each of my endeavors. For example, entry into the Centurions Program required several letters of recommendation, and I have a mentor that meets with me monthly to discuss my progress in the program. As for Servants Quarters, a great team of at least five dedicated Christians has labored with me to devise this program, and will assist in its implementation. The most important measure I’ve taken with respect to this blog is to enlist the support of the best editor anyone ever had: my bride. My posts must withstand not only my careful, prayerful efforts to speak the truth clearly and lovingly, but also her challenging editorial scrutiny. Having taken these and other steps gives me some measure of confidence that I haven’t “hastily” entered into these teaching positions or been “overly anxious to speak up and show off.” But I wonder, what else ought I be doing?
I’m interested to hear how other teachers in the Church guard against presumption.
Comments
Thank you for your thoughts on this provocative topic. Given the position (platform) on which God has placed you, I understand your concern. Would that all Christians realized the importance of their calling. For we are all called to be prepared to give witness to The Truth with our lives and The Word itself.
Most of us have but a small sphere of influence in which we reside...we think. Through deceit, Satan, convinces us we affect no one, thus we easily live our "own" lives, not that of "The Master". Absorbed with ourselves, unconcerned with those around us, giving no consideration to the positive or negative influence we possess, we fail.
More and more God has been revealing this "condition" as my own. He has been showing me that when I fulfill the main purpose for my existence, which is "sitting at the feet of Jesus" (Matt.6:33) in worship, study, meditation, He's able to teach me, because I'm listening, allowing me to be used by Him. Which is just what you're doing.
God is using your life as an inspiration to me and I hope that He will use me to inspire others, as well.
God bless you in the service to which He has called you.
Posted by: Kate Mason | November 28, 2006 05:08 AM
Your thoughts regarding presumption and the responsibility associated with it are sobering.
Jesus example was to disciple the twelve. He had no other plan to reach the world with His message the Gospel. Paul followed His example and trained Timothy, Silas and others as ministers, elders, leaders in the church to reach the world (the masses) with Christ message. Yes they both preached to the multitudes (groups) however, their main focus was to pour their lives into a few. Jesus had the twelve but in the twelve there was three (Peter, James and John) and in the three there was one (John). Paul poured his life into Timothy and Silas plus several other individuals named in scripture. Jesus command was to “…teach everything that I have commanded you…” Paul’s instruction to Timothy in II Tim 2:2 was to teach others who are qualified to teach others. In that verse there are four generations: Paul to Timothy, Timothy to qualified teachers, and qualified teachers to others. So often the activities of not for profits are designed to reach the masses without the individual commitment to pouring their lives into individuals. Activity without productivity is worthless; Productivity without multiplication is worthless. None of these are of value without accomplishing God’s purpose through the activity. Our charge is to reach individuals not groups or masses and unfortunately that process is often a very slow, time consuming process.
Yes, teaching is a real serious responsibility, but we must assume that responsibility and proceed.
James warning keeps us in check to make sure that we make ourselves accountable to the Spirit and other godly men to make sure our teaching does not become false or off target.
Be accountable, yet grasp the responsibility and proceed.
Posted by: Ron | December 7, 2006 12:14 PM
All I would add is that knowledge of the Enemy's tactics is helpful. He will use pride, desire for the praise of others, and/or visible moral failure/hypocrisy to bankrupt the teacher, especially a teacher of children who lack adults' critical faculties (the ability to realize that the messenger is not infallible so the Message may survive my hypocrisy). Knowing these vulnerabilities, prayer and candid close friends become vital.
In addition, I think James primarily is warning: those who would teach without a thorough knowledge of Scripture, before they have a mature Christian character and reputation, and those who are motivated by vainglory.
Posted by: Steve | December 7, 2006 12:16 PM
After 16 years of leading a ladies Bible Study group, or encouraging others to take the leadership, certain teaching realities have been faced that have helped set personal guidelines for teaching the Bible.
1. LIMITS: My knowledge and expertise in the Bible is limited. I had to admit this to myself and others. I had to stay within my limits when teaching.
2. ABILITY: My ability to teach lies within the realm of inspiration, personal experience, application, and not theology. Most important, did God give me the gift of teaching?? Yes. Otherwise, don’t teach. If He gave me the gift, then He wants me to teach. I accept the responsibility and gladly teach knowing the judgment that comes with it.
3. UNDERSTANDING HUMILITY: Present what I understand and believe and am experiencing in my life, remaining open to new thoughts and ideas from others. Don’t get set in concrete over questionable or insignificant issues that will alienate the student.
4. TRUST: Trust God to guide my preparation and presentation and forgive my shortcomings. Never try to teach without proper preparation and a Word from the Lord.
5. EXPECTATION: Expect God to show Himself through new revelations, blessings and understandings. This energizes the sharing time as others feel the air of anticipation along with you.
* * *
I have never felt that God let me down in helping me to teach. I have been aware that my limitations limited what God could do, but did not keep Him from being able to bless me and others through whatever feeble attempts I was able to make.
Posted by: Betty Ferguson | December 15, 2006 10:16 PM