Letter to friend on Darrow Miller's book

Hi Chris,

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply to my theological thoughts. For someone who doesn't like theology, you are very deep in your reflections. What people don't realize is that we're constantly theologizing, we just don't call it by that name. Dallas Willard has a great quote from The Spirit of the Disciplines (p.26). “A thoughtless theology guides our lives with just as much force as a thoughtful or informed one.”

I have also read Darrow Miller's book. I found his perspective puts a damper on those concerned with abuses of the powerful. I don't find any incentive in his "worldview" for those with power to be responsible with natural resources, nor for those getting exploited to seek justice.

I think Venezuelan evangelical churches are also open to holistic ministry more now than in the past. What I find is that they're still stuck in the debilitating language of "social work" which is second class to "spiritual work". I prefer to teach with Biblical language, rather than continue with the imported (non-biblical) categories of "social" vs "spiritual".

Teaching Jesus as Lord and Savior is also a "patchwork" emphasis (albeit much needed) because our compartmentalized worldview has divided what was intended to be unified. Rather than patching together what we have artificially separated, I prefer to use the biblical vocabulary and story-line and aim for a unified call to discipleship. Otherwise we can still end up with "converts" who aren't "disciples" (something the Navegators have taught). (Parenthetically, this is also what John Hayes has modeled so well for InnerCHANGE over the years -- that is, a unified/integrated view of mission and life with God that leans on biblical language and images.)

I so appreciate and resonate with your "despairing for a gospel that adequately responds to the issues you raised" and am glad that we are on this journey of learning together.

Peace from Caracas,

John S