“Theology is meant to be temporary
Theology must be at its essence, confessional. It is not enough to simply say what is (or really how we see it to be); theology must come from the life of the one who holds it. We may well have a dead theology, not because the ideas are dead, but because the people who passionately held them and the reasons for their conception have passed. Because theology is connected to real life, answering particular questions, concerns, and opportunities of the day, it will be ever-changing. If it is not so, then it may well not be theology – it may be dogma, history, or a collection of random facts, but not theology. Theology is the living understanding of the story of God in play with the story of our lives.” (121)

-Doug Pagitt, Listening to the Beliefs of Emerging Churches

Response by Mark Driscoll
“Perhaps most concerning are Pagitt’s declarations that “what we believe is not ‘timeless,’ ” theology will be “ever-changing,” and that “complex understandings meant for all people, in all places, for all times are simply not possible.” I am left to wonder if his pleading for love is something he also believes should be “ever-changing,” an that some future evolution of Christianity could embrace violent injustice yet remain faithful?

In conclusion, Christians are to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints” (Jude 3 NIV). Therefore, the truths of Christianity are constant. But the methods by which truth is articulated and practiced must be culturally appropriated and therefore constantly changing (1 Corinthians 9:22-23). If both doctrine and practice are constant, the result is dead orthodoxy, which Pagitt is reacting against. If both doctrine and practice are constantly changing, the result is living heresy, which Pagitt is contending for. But if doctrine is constant and practice is constantly changing, the result is living orthodoxy, which I propose is the faithful third way.” (146-147)