This tweet popped up in my X feed. Dale Partidge is a senior pastor in Arizona. He writes:
The “small group” movement democratized Bible teaching, gave authority to the uncalled, untrained, and unleashed a flood of bad doctrine. Historically, pastors led all Bible studies. Biblically, few men should be teachers. We must return to these standards.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the pushback in the comments. I was especially pleased to see those pointing out that the Bible does not support what he wrote. Here are some examples.
The bible wasn’t written for scholars, the bible was written for all humans, peasants, scholars, priests all alike the word of God tears through all in the same manner. The idea that some only a few learned people can understand and or interpret scriptures goes against everything God but human reasoning coz God has no limits on how to reach His people through scriptures. If you think you’re smart in the eyes of men and question the way God works you’re prolly working for the other side not God.
1 Corinthians 1:25-27 KJV Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men. [26] For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: [27] But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
Unfortunately for you, God’s Word seems to disagree:
“What then, brothers? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for building up.” 1 Cor. 14:26
“I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.” Rom. 15:14
“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” 1 Thes. 5:11
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom.” Col. 3:16
What Jim says is so true, God’s word just doesn’t agree with what you state. Your logic is what the Catholic Church proclaimed for centuries. The unlearned masses just can’t be trusted to understand the Bible. Professionally trained clergy are the answer, This spread heresy like wild fire.
Someone also linked to a Tom Wadsworth video as I have also shared in How Christians Gathered in the 1st Century | Dr. Tom Wadsworth.
Why is the answer to unqualified Christians doing something to always give more power to a few rather than devote more time to intensively discipling those who need it?
Why is the answer to women doing a poor job of leading women’s Bible studies to eliminate the studies rather than intensively discipling women to understand the Bible well and teach others?
Again, this goes back to the Bible versus traditions of men. Some will argue we should follow the traditions of men and the “Early Church Fathers” when making decisions. But what is to be our guide for faith and practice? The Bible or the traditions of men?
I know I will be sharing the book Pagan Christianity frequently, but I want people to understand where so many of these traditions originated.
Pagan Christianity?: Exploring the Roots of Our Church Practices
Why Does Communion Feel Like a Funeral?
This pastor doesn’t even want “unqualified” men leading Bible studies.
Imagine what he believes about women using their gifts in the body of Christ.
When I say the pendulum is going to way overcompensate, this is the type of stuff I’m talking about.
Will it happen everywhere? Of course not.
But it will be devastating to those who experience it, especially the children brought up under such heavy-handed leadership.
With one specific exception that was a health-related website, I have always used my name on my internet accounts. I see it as a way to be accountable for everything I say and it always makes me think before I post.
That said, I’d love to create an ambiguous Twitter/X account that hides my identify and get into these discussions. Many of these men will not even respond to a woman and many of the men in the comments pile on in the most uncharitable and unChristlike way when a woman questions the acceptable narrative. It’s truly disgusting the way many of them treat women. I can only imagine what they are like in their home, church, and workplace.
It would be fun. But I know eventually the truth would come out (because it always does) and I don’t want to be accused of being duplicitous (see: Josh Buice).
Yep, so unbiblical. Why not train and disciple men and women to teach the Bible studies biblically? In fact, that should be done. People want to grow in the Scriptures and to teach it to others. Discipling and/or growing in our relationship with Christ is part of being a believer no matter who you are.