I use this analogy when explaining to my students why they have to take positions on difficult theological issues: women in ministry, image of God, election, etc. Every year I have at least some students who don’t want to land the plane. They enjoy reading, thinking, and debating about difficult theological issues, but when it comes to taking a clear stand on what they think, they hold back.
And they often make a virtue out of it: theological humility. They’ll argue that these issues are so complex and have been debated for so long that the principled thing to do is just not to have a position. And they’ve probably seen too many landings turn into crashes—maybe landing the wrong way or developing the arrogance that comes from thinking that you’ve got it right. Bad landings lead some to think that maybe it would be best just to stay in the clouds.
But I make them land anyway.
—Marc Cortez, “Sometimes You Just Have to Land the Plane” (HT: Aquila Report)
R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
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Scott, very good words/advice for all of us, especially for those who would teach and shepherd God’s people.
“Theological humility” – the building block of Latitudinarianism – born of the fear of possible problems, disagreements that can’t be “handled.” One day you look around and realize your church is a nice church, a clean club of sorts, but no longer reformed…
“O Lord, do shepherd the shepherds of your church.”
Yep, Jack, or not even a Church.