The Cage Stage in the Digital Age
Wisdom says to let a newfound belief mature before qualifying one for influence. But this is counter-cultural in an age of instant expression.
There’s a phrase that’s often used about a Christian who discovers reformed theology, the tradition that includes folks like John Calvin, Huldrych Zwingli, etc. It’s called “a cage-stage Calvinist.” The late RC Sproul explained it this way: “those newly minted Reformed believers who are so aggressive and impatient that they should be locked in a cage for a little while so that they can cool down and mature a little in the faith.”
This experience among reformed folks is real. But it’s not a problem exclusive to one group of Christians. The “cage-stage” can apply to converts of any type, and in a digital age, the accessibility of communication platforms makes it way too common. Folks who five minutes ago were low-church non-denominational evangelicals, suddenly converting to Anglicanism and snobbishly lecturing their former church members about liturgy. Politically uninvolved pastors suddenly opining like pundits on every single issue and blasting pastors who don’t tweet or podcast all day about minute political issues. Hedonistic influencers converting to Catholicism and taking on the Pope and every Catholic bishop before they’ve even been confirmed. Celebrity converts headlining Christian conferences while still wet from their baptism. Perhaps the worst offender might be a newly minted seminary graduate ready to correct all the failures of their home church.
The temptation is real. I know it all too well. In my younger days, I enjoyed arguing and sparring with folks, usually after I’d discovered some newfound truth. My dad was wrong. My friends were wrong. My pastor was wrong. How could they not see it?
We need to understand that zeal is good, especially zeal toward good things. I never want to dampen the spirit of a new believer who understands that Christ died for their sins and rose again on the third day. I want to welcome that person and set them free, like the women at the well, to share that good news with their unbelieving friends and family. I don’t want to discourage believers who “study to show themselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15).” Theology is the study of God. Getting it right matters. Folks who newly understand key doctrines of the Christian faith are a blessing. I also don’t want to throw cold water on believers who become newly aware of important issues and take their citizenship seriously. I mean, I wrote a whole book about this!
However, we should heed Paul’s words to his protege Timothy. In his Holy Spirit-inspired words of Scripture, he urges the young pastor to avoid elevating a new convert to a position of influence and authority in the church: “He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil (1 Timothy 3:6).” The King James translation labels a new convert a “novice.”
Paul here isn’t discouraging conversions. He’s not even saying their stories shouldn’t be told. What the Bible is telling us here is that elevating a novice into a position of authority and influence is dangerous, both for the soul of the novice and for the health of the church. Being right is a toxic drug without the leavening of time and community that produces maturity. There is a reason that every single passage about leadership in the New Testament urges the cultivation of character traits such as sobriety and gentleness. Proverbs 19:2 warns of “zeal without knowledge.” And even knowledge is dangerous without humility because it “puffs up” (1 Corinthians 8:1).”
Sinful pride can take knowledge and use it as a weapon, rather than a humble attempt to persuade. It can elevate the messenger instead of the message. It can lead to “the narcissism of small differences.”
I don’t want to discourage youthful zeal. Paul, in another part of his letter, told Timothy to “let no one despise your youth (1 Timothy 4:12).” Youthful passion for what is true, and good, beautiful is a delight. Yet a season of maturity, of seasoning, of time spent in the community of the older, the wiser, the mature is healthy before one assumes significant leadership and influence. There is a reason every significant figure in Scripture endured a season of waiting before being handed power and influence. Moses languished 40 years in the wilderness before being tasked with leading God’s people out of Egypt. Joseph suffered in prison and obscurity before God elevated him to second in command in Egypt. David was anointed king by Samuel as a young man, but he spent many years running from Saul before he became king.
This is difficult in an age where everyone has access to a megaphone via social media. Where hot takes and extremism are rewarded and platformed. Yet we can still show discernment in who we ourselves elevate to a position of influence and leadership. We should rightly rejoice in a testimony of conversion or the discovery of wisdom, but that doesn’t mean we must give them immediate authority in their newfound community. It actually stunts growth to raise a novice like this. This is Paul’s point. He wants to protect them from the temptations of the enemy; they must endure a season of maturity and growth.
Notes:
A reminder that my book, Biblical Wisdom for Everyday Life releases next month. If you missed it, I share here why I wrote it and the everyday ethical topics it covers.
As you think about the 4th of July, you might have questions about the way our love of God shapes our love of country in my book, In Defense of Christian Patriotism.