Why does NCAC recommend resources outside the Bible?
Do our church leaders really recommend books other than the Bible?
At Neighborhood Church we are not hesitant to recommend quality, theologically responsible writers and speakers. Recommending these teachers is not intended in any way to replace the supreme authority that the Bible should have in our lives. In fact, we recommend these teachers because of what the Bible itself teaches about God’s plan for equipping His people to display and declare His glory in the world.
What does the Bible say about the role of human teachers in God’s Church?
Paul reminds us God gifted His church with apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers “to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ.” (Eph. 4:11,12) Many of the gifts God has given to the church through pastors and teachers are still available to us through books and in more recent times, recordings and digital media.
When the teachers of Neighborhood Church prepare to expound the Word of God, they often consult the writings of gifted pastors and teachers. It would be foolish, neglectful, and even arrogant for us to disregard the gifts God has given to His Church for the understanding and application of Scripture.
As shepherds, we deem it both wise and caring to point the people of Neighborhood Church to gifted people who accurately explain the Scriptures and who forcefully challenge our sin and apathy. We are all benefactors of these gifts God has bestowed on His church.
How are we meant to evaluate human teachers?
God has blessed His church through teachers like Athanasius, Augustine, Luther, Calvin, Spurgeon, Stott, Packer, Sproul, Piper, Keller, Horton, McArthur, and many more. They, like all human teachers, are
imperfect vessels, but gifted vessels nonetheless.
Whether we are listening to one of our church’s own teachers or reading a book from a current or ancient author, we must always do so comparing their words against Scripture. As Rick Warren suggested, we should listen and read as we eat fish: Swallow the meat, and spit out the bones. Our leadership will do our best to recommend to you authors and speakers who serve good meat with few bones.
How does Neighborhood Church choose whom to recommend?
In order to do that, we diligently look for resources that draw people to the Bible as the true and final authority for knowing and glorifying God. We make every effort to steer people to material affirming the Bible’s teaching that God is supreme over all things, does all things for His own glory, and is therefore the source and center of our greatest joy.
We commend to our church teachers who see the purpose of the Christian life as the joyful magnification of the glory of God through His Son. Such teaching exalts the honor of God and the work of His Son while infusing purpose, strength and joy into the lives of His people. May God continue to be exalted through the gifts He has given His church.