Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 10 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
Will the Theologians Please Sit Down  /  Chapter 1 "Doctrianity" Versus Christianity  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 10
The chapter claims many Christians are now afraid to teach without consulting commentaries and study Bibles “for fear they might say something wrong”; what would it look like, concretely, for your group or church to “stand up to today’s theological bullies” while still staying humble, teachable, and faithful to Scripture?
Another way to ask: Many Christians feel they can’t teach without commentaries because they fear being wrong. What would it look like for your church to push back against “theological bullies” while still staying humble, open to correction, and faithful to Scripture?

Direct Answer Concretely, standing up would mean refusing intimidation that says only experts can interpret Scripture, while still pursuing honest learning and obedience to Jesus’ kingdom teachings. Based on Bercot’s teaching, it looks like prioritizing “bearing kingdom fruit” and “Follow me” discipleship over merely “subscrib[ing] to the correct doctrines,” without rejecting study itself.

Support from Transcript:

  • Bercot’s concern: believers are “afraid to preach or teach… without consulting… commentaries… for fear they might say something wrong.”
  • He believes intimidation is harming the church: theologians are “destroying kingdom Christianity from the inside out.”
  • He says, “We kingdom Christians can learn to stand up to today’s theological bullies.”
  • His corrective focus is returning to beginnings: understand “what Christianity looked like in the beginning.”
  • He balances humility and learning: he is “in no way criticizing… Christians who desire to learn all that God has revealed,” but criticizes elitists who deny others the right to interpret.
  • He re-centers the priority: “Follow me” and “bearing kingdom fruit” rather than “Study me” and doctrinal subscription.
Discussion Follow-ups What practices could your group adopt to encourage ordinary believers to read, obey, and discuss Scripture confidently? How can you welcome correction without handing over your conscience to an “official interpreter” class?

Jumpstarter 10 of 10
Back Questions Done