Since the advent of the internet, thousands of believers who have never been trained in the most basic principles of hermeneutics have become masters of theology. How is this possible? Through the magic and wonder of Google.
But have they really become adept at handling the Scriptures because of Google? Should "Google" become a rule of interpretation in hermeneutics? Logically, no. But in practice, it's pretty clear that a lot of Christians use it that way.
The problem with Google is that YOU GET EXACTLY WHAT YOU LOOK FOR. If you want to find arguments for or against open theism, enter the right search string and that's exactly what you will find. Writers (some with credentials and most with none) will put together convincing arguments and whether or not they are based on sound hermeneutics is irrelevant as long as the one who is searching agrees with their take on a given doctrine. Google enough pages and you can rip off someone else's argument and make your own look very convincing. It does not matter how much Scripture twisting has gone into either the Googled information or what is done with it. If the argument is convincing, or confuses the readers into stunned silence because they can't figure out what the author of a given post is trying to say, the poster assumes the position of vindication in his or her beliefs. Usually, the poster isn't sure what he's trying to say and paints himself into a corner (into Dan Corner's corner, usually) because he's been putting together a post from a dozen different Googled sources that have a dozen different lines of thought.
The remedy? "To your knees and to your Bibles" and use sound hermeneutics while you are there. And if you find that your favorite theologian is heretical in the process, abandon your favorite theologian. He probably lost his salvation when he became a heretic. ;)
Another problem with the internet is that anyone who has either the financial wherewithal or the knowledge to put together a website and a message board obtains a sort of leadership position, completely independent of the local church, which is God's ordained way of providing accountability and selecting leadership. Digital images and recordings can be manipulated to give the appearance of the second coming (or third, depending on your view) of the Great Awakening. Emails can be sent in bulk to suspecting and unsuspecting recipients and PayPal can fund it all. It does not take any examination of qualifications, it does not take any minimum doctrinal, educational, or moral ability (other than the ability to use a computer) to have a sort of "ministry."
But is it a "ministry" by definition? Ministry means service to others and to God. But isn't most of what we see in these self appointed preachers and ministries nothing less than a spiritualized narcissim? "Look at how great my ministry is, we did this, and this, and this and people did thus and such and we're going to take over the world, so send in your donations now and help us spread the good news about us."
Of course, this would never be said in so many words, but the actions of these ministries speak so loudly that I can't hear a word that they are saying. The goal in these "ministries" is not service to God and others; it is existence. By definition, that is not ministry. I'm reminded of the words of the fallible mortal, Leonard Ravenhill, who said, "Why don't people recognize what precious gifts of the Spirit I've been given? Because you stink with pride, that's why!"
Where are the ministries that are so much in the power of the Spirit that those who lead them don't care one wit if anyone knows their name? Where are the ministries that refuse to share every word that's come out of their mouths in a one-to-one or open-air with a mailing list? Where are the ministries that are content to be known by King Jesus and not to be known by anyone else? There's a lot of talk about being of "no reputation", but a lot of work towards developing one by a whole lot of people.
To Hell with our reputations because that's where they came from. To Hell with believing our own press and the garbage that people tell us about how great we are, because it came from the very pits of the same. To Hell with getting media coverage because the press agents there probably set it all up to promote our pride. To Hell with preaching that's not saturated with Christ because He is the Gospel; if that kind of fleshly, ego-feeding preaching didn't come from Hell, I don't know what does. The Spirit does not exalt men; He exalts Christ.
Brothers and sisters, we all must repent. Repent of phoney baloney theology and hillbilly hermeneutics and repent of ministries that serve no one but our own stinking, filthy, rotten egos. I think that the best argument for the total depravity of man is the very existence of some of these "ministries."
In conclusion, I propose that all internet message boards be shut down permanently and we labor for Christ in absolute obscurity until such time as we are gathered around His throne and He gives us the low down on what we were really all about. Could you be content knowing that Christ is the only One who knows about your last open-air? Your last one-to-one? If not, then whatever it is that you're building is not ministry. It's your own personal kingdom and that, my friends (and enemies) is idolatry.
Sincerely,
Jon