it use to be neck ties and dancing

"I do believe that we must come to terms with the sin of autonomy that dominates our practice."

autonomy
au·ton·o·my
Pronunciation: \-mē\
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural au·ton·o·mies
Date: circa 1623
1: the quality or state of being self-governing; especially : the right of self-government
2: self-directing freedom and especially moral independence
3: a self-governing state

I think it dangerous to even use the term autonomy in relation to the church because it is quite the opposite of New Testament teaching.
Dr. Ron Duncan, A Needed Conversation paper (page 4, paragraph 1)

The first quote is from a church of God blogger I enjoy following. So extreme that the image of all those mormons pulled out of Texas in hopes of rescuing their childeren- big hair, glassy eyes, lock step, came to mind.

The second quote, sadly, was apparently given much thought, read over by a number of instructors at the church of God's school of theology- put in my time there -and even vetted through leaders nation wide before it was sent out in desire to begin "A Needed Conversation" supposedly among peers. It didn't bring to mind images of cult like behavior... it reminded me of a book from the '90's... 1990's... think it was titled "When Managers Become Leaders." It may have been an essay.

Desperate times.

I've never sat down and talked with Dr. Duncan- but giving him the benefit of the doubt -guessing he's just like the rest of us, doing his best day in and day out. Just can't stand it when someone decides they're opposed to a certain way of doing something, then they suddenly have a collection of Bible verses to back them up. Mind you, generations went before them with their very own stack of Bible verses on why something was The Only Way God wanted it done.

It's a tough way to begin "a needed discussion." "I think we should talk about this practice in the church- it's a sin -it's dangerous -it's quite the opposite of New Testament teaching... let's talk about it."

Sound's like someone's fishing for a fight. I'm not in it. They can fight on someone else's time. I've got work to do.

"Free moral agents" I always liked the term... made me feel a little like a ball player. "Free will," pretty well accepted theology- plenty of Bible verses to back it up. Autonomy... wonder why we'd want to be anything but autonomous? Just imagine the churches in Ephesus, Corinth, any of the New Testament churches... without the letters of Paul we have almost no idea how they governed themselves... and Paul's letters didn't exactly get there by fax, phone or email... they were probably years apart. What happened in between?

We don't know.
God watched over things.
Godly people did their best.

At the heart of this "needed discussion" hope that's still what's happening. Hope people still remember that's how God's always built His church. I hope.

Both of my grandfather's were buried without neckties. They were early leaders in the church of God reformation movement and they considered all "outward adornment" a sin. Kind of like those mormons in Texas... without the extra wives. Their zeal and early enthusiasm for The Kingdom has always been an inner motivation... and one more good excuse not to wear a tie... even if I'm pretty sure their idea of New Testament "TRUTH," like that of those pushing the current discussion, might have been a bit misplaced.

There are so many more important battles to wage. Loving, serving, sharing... this is where I plan to spend the rest of my life, the rest of my ministry. I've got a clear Biblical mandate- like the old song says: "from Genesis to Revelation... I believe it all." If Dr. Duncan wants to spend his time on the "sin" of autonomy... you go brother. No worries from me. In fact, this might be my final word on the subject... but I doubt it!

sorry for the late night wandering thoughts... believe it or not, started my morning on the same subject. I've given it a day- good enough.

blessings,

Eric