I just sent out an evotional--email version of my weekend message. Just thought I'd share one excerpt from last week's message on The Gray Elephant.
Few things are as frustrating to me as infighting in the kingdom of God over gray issues. It's unhealthy and unholy! And it is a waste of energy--sideways energy. I'm not saying we turn a blind eye to heresy or blasphemy. But there are blog stalkers who spend all of their energy trying to point out how everybody else is wrong. And that's wrong.
The bottom line is this: God-fearing and God-loving people will disagree on gray issues until Jesus returns. Can we agree to disagree on gray issues? Can we love each other despite our theological or methodological differences? Maybe the gray areas are the very places where we can learn to love each other.
About four hundred years ago, a German theologian named Rupertus Meldenius, was frustrated with the infighting and backbiting in the church. And he said something so profound that it has passed the test of time. In fact, it is the preface to our statement of belief at National Community Church.
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
Yes, the church has its theological non-negotiables. Jesus is the son of God. He lived a sinless life; died a substitutionary death on the cross; and was raised from the dead. There is no room for disagreement on essential theological truths. But there are lots of peripheral theological issues about which we'll disagree. By peripheral I don't mean unimportant. But they aren't essential for salvation. And in those areas we need a degree of liberty! And in all things, we need charity. Love is the litmus test. Not our systematic theology!
Confront the elephant.
Few things are as frustrating to me as infighting in the kingdom of God over gray issues. It's unhealthy and unholy! And it is a waste of energy--sideways energy. I'm not saying we turn a blind eye to heresy or blasphemy. But there are blog stalkers who spend all of their energy trying to point out how everybody else is wrong. And that's wrong.
The bottom line is this: God-fearing and God-loving people will disagree on gray issues until Jesus returns. Can we agree to disagree on gray issues? Can we love each other despite our theological or methodological differences? Maybe the gray areas are the very places where we can learn to love each other.
About four hundred years ago, a German theologian named Rupertus Meldenius, was frustrated with the infighting and backbiting in the church. And he said something so profound that it has passed the test of time. In fact, it is the preface to our statement of belief at National Community Church.
In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.
Yes, the church has its theological non-negotiables. Jesus is the son of God. He lived a sinless life; died a substitutionary death on the cross; and was raised from the dead. There is no room for disagreement on essential theological truths. But there are lots of peripheral theological issues about which we'll disagree. By peripheral I don't mean unimportant. But they aren't essential for salvation. And in those areas we need a degree of liberty! And in all things, we need charity. Love is the litmus test. Not our systematic theology!
Confront the elephant.
13 Comments:
Great Post Mark!
Mark,
I agree, but one person's gray area is another person's hill to die on.
As an example (which you curiously brought up), I am currently embroiled in a blog debate about whether the term "Son of God" means "deity" or not. Wise scholars can be found on both sides of the issue.
The issue isn't whether Jesus is divine or not. All sides agree that He is God.
So from my perspective, this is an issue that I have decided to not waste time arguing any more (at least for right now). If we all believe He is God, why argue about whether the term "Son of God" means "deity" or not?
But of course, for some, this is the the debate of the century since your view on this subject will effect your understanding of the Gospel of John and therefore, your evangelism....
But I'm not going to get into it.
Great post. Keep 'em coming.
A very big hearty amen to your post!!! There is something about the endeavor of just trying to be 'right' in these long-winded theological debates where it is somewhat akin to straining a gnat that is not very Christ-like. When you see these kinds of people, would you be attracted to the gospel? It's a huge turnoff and needless energy, brainpower, not to mention God's time is wasted on these fruitless endeavors. These are the types of people when asked by God what did they did with their life for His sake would reply, "I kept my theology and doctrine pure."
Mark
Great post. Great blog and I love your heart.
You are a gift to the body of Christ.
Keep telling it like it is.
Wrecked by Grace.
John Bishop
Good post.
It's possible to be right in a really wrong ways and for us to have a head full of biblical facts and miss following Jesus.
It would seem that our debate can be toxic to a searching and skeptical world. Jesus' prayer for us in John 17 would implore us to become one so that the world would know the love the Father has for them.
So, in our conversation, dialogue and debate, we must ask ourselves -Who does this benefit? Because the church is only the church when it exists for others.
Later.
Ben.
Mark - You hit the nail on the head on your "Gray Elephant" post. We tend to rate sin - of course, the sins we do not commit are always the "bad" ones:), and the ones we do commmit, many times we seem to minimize. Sin is sin, and God hates sin. We are all on equal ground here, since we all fall short of His glory. It also confuses things when churches focus on legalistic issues, many times elevating these issues to higher importance than actual sinful issues clearly stated in the Bible. Once again thanks for sharing your heart, and reminding us what God's word has to say about these gray issues.
YES!
God has given you a great platform, you are using it wisely to edify the body!
"You have chosen wiiiisssllllyyy."
- From Indiana Jone
Hi Mark,
What "Grey Areas " are you talking about. When I am working with some students where I live in England, some Anglicans do not believe that Jesus is the only way to the Father. Some would want to call, that a grey area, I don't. Speaking in tongues, the rapture, etc.... a real grey area for me. But many things are not Grey areas.
Tim
I appreciate your positivity... it is contagious. And your boldness to "keep the main things, the main things". The quote you posted is healthy. Sounds like we need to lead people into understanding essentials & non-essentials. And we all can use some practical schooling in "charity".
Thanks for your words Mark. I have been feeling pretty beat up this week by a few "blog stalkers." It really made me want to give up, but then my wife asked me how many guys I was talking about and I realized it was only a couple. Why is it always so much easier to focus on the negative?
I couldn't agree more! My take is if it doesn't make an eternal difference why do we spend so much time on it.
I loved the Grey Elephant email. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who spend too much time arguing and not enough time focusing on doing what God called us to do.
Mark,
One of our leadership team forwarded me your message from Sunday. Thanks for a positive approach to a complex issue.
Butch Frey
Mexico City, Mexico
Mark,
This past year we had to let go of a staff member that was our elephant in the room. That is something that we don't talk about or do anything about. For us although it was tough but much needed. The bible says if we know to do right and don't do it it is sin. Sometimes we hang on to people even though they are holding us back with the excuse that we should show mercy. We need to make sure that we always keep the right people inthe right place.
Tim Chambers - timchambersblog.com
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