A THEOLOGICAL 'TETE-a-TETE'

THE SCENARIO: We were blessed to have a home Bible study some years ago with folk from the immediate neighborhood in attendance as also some church brethren and even on occasion some non-Christians who were wanting to learn more about our Savior. The attendees varied in age from their mid-teens to the more elderly. On one occasion two of the attendees, who were longtime Christians—one middle-aged, the other more elderly—got into a not so pretty theological showdown over some differences in their Christian doctrinal perspectives. Specifically, one individual believed that:

“Since faith in Jesus Christ garners Salvation, loss of faith, as evidenced by a life of unfaith, can garner loss of Salvation.”

The other individual believed, hands down, that:

“In no way can Salvation be lost, no matter what, because that would suggest a less than adequate atonement by Jesus on the Cross.”

After the dust settled, we lost both of those attendees, and the attendance in general wavered for a bit, before stabilizing at its pre-scenario levels. This scenario complements an earlier scenario entitled “You're Wrong,” though that earlier scenario was not motivated by this one—this scenario is more interested in the sustenance of a Christian agenda in the face of Christian doctrinal differences.

In the outworking of this scenario please consider the following:

1. Each of the persons involved here felt quite strongly about their particular convictions—in speaking with each one afterward we were convinced that each of them felt they were “making a stand for the Lord and His cause.” Our question here is the obvious one: Was our Lord's cause served by either of these persons—either way, please justify your answer Scripturally.

2 This scenario caused us to reflect on the notion of “right doctrine.” How would you define “doctrine” per se (please consider the relationship between the Christian Canon of Scripture and doctrine here). Tangentially, what in the Christian faith is absolutely binding, and what can be considered (indeed, expected) to be varied based on differences in perspective arising due to some leeway allowed by the Canon—please justify your answers Scripturally where possible.

3. One of the individuals stated that “The Holy Spirit led them to make a stand.” How can we as Christians be sure that we are being led by our God's blessed Holy Spirit in scenarios such as this one. Include in your discussion, at least, Gal 5:22-23.

4. Consider the Reformation. The Reformation, at the heart of the matter, finds its beginnings in “doctrinal differences.” Weren't the Reformers absolutely correct in making a stand for their convictions, and aren't we blessed today for their courage and labors and sacrifices? Weigh against this now the issue of doctrinal differences and the so-called splintering of the Christian Church (it would appear almost as though we are sort of engaging the horns of a dilemma here). We have spoken to more than a few unbelievers who argue against Christianity because of its “splintering” (multidenominationalism) and the uncompromising (unChristlike) spirit that splintering suggests to them. Is it not true that they are right only insofar as we justify their suppositions by our actions? Connecting this to the context of this scenario—we were saddened that we lost those two attendees in general, but also because they demonstrated, by their absence, we thought, this sort of unwillingness to work toward an agenda of peaceable disagreement, which unwillingness fuels so many unbelievers' incorrect impressions about our Savior's Bride. May He help us all to always be willing, at least, to work toward a relationship of peaceable disagreement.

5. Our God is glorified when His Church coexists in love and peace because He has proclaimed to all the world that He is the God of love and peace. We, His people, should therefore be loving and peaceable so as to buttress (as opposed to belittle) His claims—we honor our God by reflecting His nature, thereby ministering to the world that He is in fact the God of love and peace who sent His only begotten Son to die for us, because He loves us so (Mat 5:9, Jhn 3:16). We see how our God “acted out” His claims at the Cross. Surely the very essence of Christianity is love and peace, in no particular order—these are hallmarks expressive of His ways. What do you think are the hallmarks of Christianity?

6. Oftentimes a scenario like this will slowly but surely “grow walls” between disagreeing believers, such that it gets harder and harder for a mutual spirit of love and peace to “rebloom” so to speak. Consider the difficulties a pastor is faced with in trying to rekindle a spirit of love and peace for the sake of Christ in a scenario like this.

7. Finally, please consider this scenario against the backdrop of Ephesians 4:1-6.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE LEGEND

TOP