How quick we are to categorize and assign people a title. We hear five words from someone and say, "Ah, you are a __________." Lutheran. Papist. Missional guy. Confessional. Hyper-Euro. Congregationalist. Neo-Evangelical. American Evangelical. Baptist.
On and on it goes.
But applying a label is not doing theology - it's in fact the opposite. It's throwing up a short cut so that you don't have to think or analyze something. If you say X and I don't like it - I can chalk up a title against you so I can excuse not listening to you. Or perhaps the other way (Oh, this guy is a good _________, so what he says must be good).
Don't run to a title, don't run to a term and try to fill in the blanks -- and I do this often enough myself. Consider what is being said... and consider it not on the basis of the historical formation of groups and factions - but view it in the light of the Scriptures.
Even if what you hear is wrong, if you are thrown to the Scriptures in considering it, it will be a benefit. (Now to feed the kiddo)
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