Google’s Approach

Last fall while surfing the net, I stumbled upon a video from a recent Google conference introducing their new product: Google Wave.  Having long joked that Google was going to “take over the world,” I’m always curious about their new developments.  As I watched the developers describe the new communication website, I was intrigued.  The design seemed awesome: user-friendly, incorporating of many different elements, and overcoming several problems I’ve experienced in email.  I was glued to my computer screen, eagerly watching the presentation of what this new communication platform had to offer. But I think the thing that most captivated me about this was the creators’ statement of its development: The question that sparked this project was simple: “what might email look like if it was invented today?” From there, these developers threw out all prior knowledge, history, and traditions of email and started from scratch, utilizing today’s technology and addressing today’s communication needs.

My Recognition

I’ve come to recognize that many areas in my own life–be it attitudes, opinions, ways of doing things, responses, or philosophy of ministry–have been greatly shaped by experiences and traditions of key influencers.  Maybe some of these have been good, and some not so good.  But the fact is that I, much like the developers working for Google, recognize the need for a fresh start, the need for my thoughts, attitudes, and ways of life to be made new.

Several months ago I began to intentionally re-examine things, asking myself self-reflecting questions like, “If all I had to go on was God’s Word in this matter, what would my viewpoint be?”  As I did so, I began to recognize the far-reaching extent to which my worldview is not based on Scripture, but rather my own cleverly devised schemes or philosophies of man.  I began to pray for renewal!

To the Word and To the Testimony!

I respect the centuries of Church fathers and theologians who have laid a foundation of understanding Scripture and fought (and even died) for key Biblical doctrines.  My endeavor to return to the drawing board, so to speak, in my own understanding is not to throw these out, but rather to evaluate everything under the careful scrutiny of Scripture, to accept nothing just because “that’s the way its always been,” but rather to seek to develop a comprehensive Biblical Worldview.  My desire is to avoid becoming guilty of the sin of the Pharisees and scribes that Jesus talks about in Matthew 15:6 when He says, “For the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God.”  I desire everything from my knee-jerk reactions to circumstances, to my overarching approaches to life, ministry, and education, to have their firm foundation in the word of the Lord.

Additional Scriptures also indicate that we are to be on guard against simply accepting the teachings of others, or traditions handed down to us, or even our own immediate opinions on issues:

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.” Colossians 2:8

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

“We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5

A Fresh Start

Taking this approach creates a true fresh start with joyful possibilities.  The Psalmist writes “I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.” (Psalm 119:45).  God’s Word teaches us how to live as He created us to, and His spirit enables us to do so.  This is great freedom and has become my personal goal.

What about you? What areas of your viewpoints have you allowed to be shaped by traditions of man rather than Gods’ Word?  Will you join me in this endeavor and allow our minds to be renewed by His Truth?