He uses big, beautiful, intelligent words. Words that send me to the dictionary.
Like:
As a matter of fact, the whole theme of the Sermon on the Mount was a critique of the Pharisees' religion. He condemned their doctrine; their phony approach to practical holiness; their pedantic style of Scripture twisting; and their smug overconfidence. p. 129
I wasn't sure what pedantic meant. I knew that "ped" is the Latin word for foot; I also knew that "pedagogy" is to do with the teaching of children.
The word pedant, according to Webster's, is one who emphasizes trivial points of learning... A narrow-minded teacher who insists on exact adherence to rules.
The Pharisees certainly did that. Jesus accused them of straining at gnats and swallowing camels.
The question is, do you do the same? Do you insist on exact adherence to rules in a narrow-minded manner? (Moms can fall into this behaviour fairly easily, simply by being a parent who is teaching children. Rules are an inevitable method of dealing with a bunch of rowdy little ones. But rules are not all there is. There must be room for grace.)
Oh yes....I need to borrow that book I think.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog through "Teaching Tuck and Ty." I thought your post on Tricia's blog (the woman who lost her husband). Your comment was so sweet and kind and I loved the part where you said, "some of your posts made me snort my tea up my nose." That was a nice thing to say and she probably smiled when she read that. That was a moment of grace I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteI loved this post on leaving room for grace and making sure that we aren't being pedantic. I was raised at John MacArthur's church. I became a believer in 1991 when I was 21 years old and grew up under his wonderful teaching. I am so thankful to the Lord for his grace in my life and am thankful that you are such a sweet sister. Much love to you!
Oh, Starbucksgirl, you are my new best friend. I love Starbucks coffee. I don't take a trip to the big city without stopping at Starbucks for a big, strong, delicious cup of coffee.
ReplyDeleteOf course, the fact that you're a believer who grew up at John MacArthur's church makes me a fan, too! I hope you drop by often. I'll go check your profile and see if you have a blog, too. Thanks for visiting.