" God Given, Sanctified Common Sense"

The phrase I used in the title of this post was picked up from I don't know who. I heard someone use it on a christian talk radio program sometime back and has stuck with me ever since. As I cruise around several different christian blogs and websites, reading and listening to different christian talk radio shows as of late, this phrase "god given sanctified common sense" just keeps running through my mind like an old reel to reel tape recorder. Now a lot can be said for all the really intelligent folks out there in the evangelical landscape, whether it be blogs or radio shows, but at times I am amazed at how often the seemingly endless brain power they posses on certain doctrinal and theological issues seems to be devoid of common sense. I also find myself lumped into this category way too often. Not the category of "the seemingly endless brain power". More like the category of lacking "God given sanctified common sense". As I study different issues such as the gifts, repentance and such, I read commentaries and articles on various theological issues and subjects, I often find two things happening.
(1)Some will dig so deep into a passage, in an attempt to push their pet doctrines into certain texts because of an emotional attachment, that it taints the meaning or interpretation. Kinda like someone try to plant pansies in the the garden in the front yard with a caterpillar driven diesel front end loader. Just a little too much effort that can cause a mess, and really damage the entire front lawn.
(2) Often some do not dig into a text or issue at all. They avoid using commentaries, advice and the writings of more gifted individuals than themselves. They fall into the ditch of not taking advantage of God's gifting of certain men with the ability to teach. They may be afraid because, what they thought they knew, they really didn't know. They are happy and satisfied just going with the flow of what others in their "group" believe. They are like somebody trying to dig a swimming pool in the back yard with a small screw driver.
Sometimes an issue is like a "scratch and sniff". You know the "dealy bob" on a piece of paper that you scratch with your finger and you can smell some type of fragrance. Wow, I just realized I may have hijacked one of Todd Friels phrases, victim of too much Wretched I guess.
You see, effort needs to be applied, but sometimes not too much. We just need to use "God given sanctified common sense." The meaning may lie just under the surface or maybe, right on the surface. Maybe, just maybe, a lil scratch will sometimes do.

One of these "common sense" issues is this Manhattan Declaration that came out a few weeks or months back. I know I am late to this little shin dig of conversation. I have seen it all over the blog world, heard it all over christian talk radio land. Honestly I really never took much interest in it one way or the other. But, as of late, conversations have come my way about would I sign and what do I think about those who did sign? I really had not formed an opinion on the subject. So, I took time to read the responses from people on both sides of the issue, as well as taking the time and reading the paper itself. Last night I listened to a response from Ligon Duncan on the Knowing The Truth radio program hosted by pastor Kevin Boling, on the reasons he signed it.
He had some valid reasons as to his motivation for signing the thing. He argues the fact that the general public was not privy to any of the behind the scene discussions of what it took to come up with this document. He states that those who were evangelical signers never agreed with the Roman Catholic view of what exactly is the gospel. I say so what! You signed it anyway. If you look at the Declaration itself and count and read each sentence that includes we,our and us, those words link agreement to everyone who signed that document to every sentence that includes such words. It says that you (those who sign and or signed)are in agreement on the gospel. This document does not need anyone to come along and whip out a caterpillar diesel front end loader to exegete the wording. This is a "scratch and sniff" issue, if you will. The social issues discussed are valid, and need to be addressed. But, we can't afford the social issues to be imported in at the expense of the meaning of the gospel. The fact that men like Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and Wayne Grudem have signed this thing is probably the main reason why someone of Reformed or Calvinistic theology would even consider signing. To be honest their signing will most likely not bring any difference to our world socially.
How much brain power does one need when you are approached by Chuck Colson to sign a document he has been involved in drafting? After all, he was behind the E.C.T. I would be scared as an employee of his to even sign a pay check he issued to me.
The only reason I can think of for someone signing this document is they, at the time of signing, lacked discernment or "God given sanctified common sense."