Biblical Interpretation and Offense in Church — Dean Taylor — Ep. 176

“There is nothing, nothing harder to do in my life than church.” Dean Taylor responds to audience comments on deep disappointment with Anabaptism and on difficulties in understanding the Bible due to textual complications and lack of historical context. We will often be surprised at the results if we are willing to be humbly and honestly up front with our church leaders. Dean also argues for the trustworthiness of what is known as the “Majority Text” or “Byzantine Text” of the New Testament.

In a previous episode Dean responded to questions about Baptism, Communion, and taking the Bible straightforwardly.

This is the 176th episode of Anabaptist Perspectives, a podcast, blog, and YouTube channel that examines various aspects of conservative Anabaptist life and thought.

The views expressed by our guests are solely their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Anabaptist Perspectives or Wellspring Mennonite Church.

[MD-effl]

An excellent video. Enjoyed listening to Dean's thoughts. I appreciate his zeal for learning, his mention of Gelassenheit, and graciousness toward the latter comment.

[Benjamin-jorf]

This looks like it was recorded awhile ago in the Sattler College office. It's nice to hear from Dean anytime but I'd really love to hear from him now and see how's he doing. May the Lord be magnified.

[Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Communication is Seems to me to be a cultural thing to have awful communication. I've even heard 2 mennonites say to me, they thought why even bother trying at relationships because it's not going to make a difference anyway. So of course there is no communication about any frustration with habitual awful communication.

[justinchamberlain]

10:50 "anabaptist implosions in practice"; but what churches havent?? "More in common w/ pipe dreams than working theology" but whose theology is working? Calvinists have many sheep swapping but no church is seeing an real number of sinners getting sounding coverted;
14:01 "golosinheiht"
15:45 such a great point on john the baptist

[ruthgoebel]

The problem is we want to interpret the Bible, how about we just do what it says? Interpretation says"This represents my blood". The Bible says this IS my Since God is omnipotent and all powerful, He can make Himself in the piece of bread, or hide Himself in the wine (oops, grape juice). If we say that cannot happen, we are now calling God a liar, that He can't do that. No one will explain this to me. Same with John 6:35-65. Never once has these passages been preached at a Communion service. Why? Does it refute the practice of 'symbols/emblems'??? I have often told the ministry that it is much harder to be Mennonite than it is to be Christian.

[Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Church shouldn't be that hard. The fact that it is means that something is wrong. To be offended isn't bad - it means engage conversation, and work it out and come out better. Do you think it means try never to get offended by anything because no one will care or try to help you get to a better place so you might as well just bottle everything up nice and tight? That's the feeling I've been getting from 2 years experience with mennonites. Not healthy! It shouldn't be this hard!

[Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

In my 2 years of experience, it seems to scream cult to me.

[glennbalkin]

If it was not, it was not realy church

[Volleyball_Chess_and_Geoguessr]

Wow there are some deep things going on in the mennonite world. Never be upset about anything (no one will care, so you learn not to speak up), and we call it instant forgiveness. So never speak up for yourself or you're bitter and can't forgive! Glad I got out of there. Turns out, you can find a Christian community without the long list of rules and poor relationship skills.