Most folks don't know this but my wife has 2 degrees in theology. What makes that great is that by and large she is more Biblically knowledgeable than most church goers and it makes for great late night conversations when there is little to watch on the TV. For years we have had some of the most interesting theological discussions sitting around the living room. We have often said that one of the reasons our marriage has grown over 29 years is that we always have something to talk about.

Our last conversation was over the concept of consistency in our beliefs and then ultimately our actions. It is amazing how much of people's belief system exists that is theologically inconsistent and therefore causes them as a believer to live inconsistently as well. She came up with a great phrase...SITUATIONAL THEOLOGY. (A close cousin of situational ethics)

Case in point: There is a valid scriptural doctrine of the security of the believer, however many people have developed it this way...My family member (son, daughter, dad, mom, or favorite aunt) passed away unexpectedly in a state of practicing rebellion. Since I cannot imagine them in hell I have decided to ignore certain passages of Scripture concerning this and only focus on the ones that seem to justify what I want. That is called...SITUATIONAL THEOLOGY.

Or how about what Charismatics have done for years by emphasizing PROSPERITY and BLESSING, but ignoring SACRIFICE and SIMPLICITY? Or emphasizing the NOW aspect of the Kingdom in neglect of the THEN aspect of the Kingdom? Or how it is all about blessing ME in neglect of the passages that call us to reach out to ONE ANOTHER? Or the passages of personal WEALTH and POSITION to the neglect of being POOR IN SPIRIT and a SERVANT? It is called...SITUATIONAL THEOLOGY.

Situational theology is when we adapt, change, amend, ignore, or otherwise overlook what we know to be true because the situation we are in is more conveniently handled or understood by compromising the precept. We all have probably tried to doing it on occasion. Hopefully, most of us found ourselves convicted by the Holy Spirit and got back on the right track. It's an easy thing to slip into because of the carnal heart. We have to constantly monitor our scope of selfishness, but monitor it we must.

Some years ago now I found myself as a Pastor slipping into situational theology. I found myself reading "around" certain passages that were challenging, abrupt, hard, or even corrective. When you are enjoying what many called success or favor, you don't want to do anything to mess that up (like you had anything to do with it any way). So, you parse every word carefully and make sure you don't rub any listener wrong and after awhile you carefully avoid any subject that could "mess up the momentum". Find that hard to believe? You shouldn't...it is done regularly by many servants of God. Even the servants of Lord are subject to deception due to the carnal heart. Sometimes we avoid the correction or conviction by saying, "We aren't called to talk on that subject" or "That's just not my personality or anointing", but really we are just avoiding what is inconvenient for the moment. In Ezekiel's day, the prophet prophesied against shepherds and prophets who spoke "flattering divination" and "false vision". These were genuine prophets and shepherds of Yahweh, but they had slowly amended their ministry to only include the things people liked to hear. Don't misunderstand this point...they were using the Scripture...but only parts of it. That is called...SITUATIONAL THEOLOGY.

I am not sure that anyone can claim perfection in application when it comes to the whole counsel of God, but I do think we need to ask ourselves on occasion whether or not we are in good faith attempting it. I can clearly remember the day so many years ago when I was literally looking at myself in a mirror and the words came out of my mouth, "What have you become?" I saw a preacher who was more concerned with his earthly success and reception, than with God's endorsement and affirmation. It was a turning point. I believe the Bible calls that...repentance. You see, you cannot have true Divine blessing unless you are willing to follow all the Divine pattern (Bible). We cannot compartmentalize what we like and don't like. We either take it all...or leave it. I don't see much room for negotiation with the Almighty.

You may have heard the old saying, "It takes one to know one". The reason I can write on this is because I can so clearly see it operating in the people and pastors of American Christianity. Saying that is not judgmental...it is simple observation. It doesn't mean that EVERYONE has this malady, it simply says that we are being conveniently ignorant if we believe that situational theology is not around and that it doesn't happen.

The answer? Maybe it is waking up tomorrow morning and spending some time in the mirror and taking a long candid  look at yourself and asking the question, "What have I become?" Perhaps you will sense the affirmation of the Lord (Praise God!); but if by chance you sense Him unveiling something a tad bit inconsistent...why not own up to it and get back to everything you know to do. There is something amazingly peaceful when you embrace the whole thing.

Planting a Cross

Pastor Baird