Is Christ Divided?
Glenn on Discipleship
If anyone (any Christian?) who has come to a different conclusion than I or my local church, or personal choice of teacher/preacher/theologian is automatically part of "Babylon, a herectic, destined to perdition" then count me in as a herectic. The problem most spiritual gunslingers share is that in the very long history of the Church there have been so few of them that have ultimately agreed with each other!
But the Word itself declares emphatically that "private interpretation" is error. Period. You can have sound exegesis in your own corner and label everyone who doesn't share YOUR personal view "heretical". My standard line for years is 1. The Bible, 2. Church History. First Cor. 13 "NOW I have 'in part'... and- NOW (at the present time) WE have 'in part' or 'partial knowledge'".
Balance, humility, wisdom and experience much less the Word of God (which I hold as infallible) leads me to believe that while there are certainly false doctrines and heretics (what else is new) there is a larger number of individuals in the true Church than some would admit. In the end, God decides who is and isn't. Furthermore, when a Lutheran won't even eat with a Baptist, or a Calvanistic Bible-church minister with an arminian charismatic, how can we expect a black pentacostal anglophile Canadian to sit with a French Catholic Quebec-er and actually minister Truth, life, why... "love one another even as I have loved YOU."???
It is the glory of God that we humble ourselves and look at our brother as a brother or sister first, ask a question, listen a bit, then perhaps think of them as part of our "mission field" if we indeed have anything that might add to their knowledge and love of Jesus Christ and His Word.
I am not saying we automatically agree, nor launch into flaming debate with everyone we think may seem to be the least bit "tilted" in doctrine. Hey, who do I think I am?!!! It is this dogmatic insistance that any one (or gathering of) us has THE "deeper truth/ higher light" and the selfish pride of such that rends the true Chruch to bits in the practical. Usually, the pharisees end up in a ditch somewhere, sadly, one built for their "enemies". They are to be pitied, prayed for and for those called and up to the task, engaged with on their own ground from time to time. I know many who would disagree with me on that last point, but I occasionally find myself fighting "other's" battles (I mean theological) when bumping into these puffed-up judges. It takes great patience, wisdom and love to even bother. But they too are mostly saved, as far as I can tell. And in the end, God will have us all on the scales indeed.
The Word says much about being gentle, etc., arguing, how to deal with such situations and people. I try to apply those verses in the midst of the discussion. Sometimes you just bail, pray for them, and know that God will speak. I typically ask them to pray for me on the issue, and I will for them (truly), and that as God is my witness, I'll be more than happy to repent, change, embrace truth in the Word as I have any conviction that I should. I'm very serious about that, and pray often in just that manner. So Father, speak! Thy Will!!!
Posted 04/12/01
