“How can Christians of differing theological viewpoints cooperate?”

Recently, I was accepted into a Reformed seminary. God has blessed me with a wonderful opportunity to learn and to grow. And I can't wait. The seminary required me to write two essays, and I'm sharing one of them with you. It isn't likely that I will be blogging again in the near future- I'm sure most of you guessed that by my prolonged absence. In the end, I hope this post will be edifying to you and a satisfying conclusion to my blog.

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In every Christian, there is a mixture of truth and error; no man holds the “corner on the truth market.” In Proverbs 27:17, God declares to His people, “Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.” Discussing theology with other Christians can clarify one’s own position, push one to better understand the scriptures, and demonstrate one’s error that was previously unseen. Living along side other Christians and discerning their theology in their lives forges a stronger theology in our own lives. We can learn from their strengths and weaknesses, as they can learn from ours. If not for these experiences, our iron would not be sharpened; we would remain dull indeed.

As Christians, when we deal with one another, it must be out of humility and kindness. Firstly, we must recognize that we did not come to the faith out of our own intelligence; we did not reason ourselves into the faith. Faith only comes from God as a gift. Therefore, any theological conviction, while it may be held firmly, should also be held graciously. We should not despise our brothers for their lack of knowledge or puff ourselves up for what God Himself has revealed. In our conversations with unbelievers, it is often said that we should not add offense to the gospel for it is offensive enough. How much more should we display that restraint with our brothers!

Secondly, the fruit of the Spirit is not a personal preference. In our actions and reactions, the glory of God should govern us. The apostle Paul, in Romans 8, announces that God predestined believers “to become conformed to the image of His Son.” All of our thoughts, words, and actions are to be conformed to the image of Christ – even to the point of lowering ourselves. In Philippians 2, Paul charges believers to “have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Following the example of our Savior, we must empty ourselves and must, as Paul directs further in Philippians 2, “with humility of mind regard one another as more important than [ourselves].” Therefore, in obedience to God, we must “love our neighbor as [ourselves]” (Mark 12:31). This love of neighbor will be evidenced in the kindness we give to our fellow believers in our conversation and fellowship. A mutual dying-to-self will take place in the midst of this cooperation.

However, cooperation must not end in the compromise of truth. We should not cooperate for cooperation’s sake. The truth should not be sacrificed on the altar of unity. In Matthew 28:19 & 20, Jesus commands the disciples, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations… teaching them to observe all that I commanded you." Furthermore, the Westminster Shorter Catechism asks in question three, “What do the scriptures principally teach?” It answers, “The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.” In short, doctrine is important. Our theology is not a trifle to be ignored or swept under the rug. Making an idol of cooperation will not sharpen anyone’s iron. Instead it will curse those who hope in it.

In this matter, as in many others, there is a Biblical tension. We must cling to the truth as it has been revealed in the scripture. It must be our source of theology and doctrine. And, it must be our guide in cooperation with our fellow believers. If we are kind and humble, our discussions with our Christian brothers can be a great blessing; our lives can demonstrate the power of God to one another. True, godly cooperation can result in growth in grace and in faith. And that is a goal for which is worth striving.

*All scripture references come from the New American Standard Version.

A Place for Invective in Polemics?

"Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

Debate. Discussion. Argument. Exchange. Reasoning. Polemic. Exciting words for some. Discouraging words for others. A mixture of personality, experience, and setting can determine our attitude regarding these synonyms. Another determining factor is kindness. Should charity be a critical element of discussion? Remember 1 Corinthians 10:31? "Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." And Galatians 5:21? "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." Obedience to God brings glory to Him. Then, if we are Christians, we must show forth the fruit of the Spirit in our lives whether eating, drinking, or debating.

In history, there are many examples of men of the faith who debated men of the church and men of the world. Luther. Calvin. Dabney. Machen. Bahnsen. Etc. Read any one; you can observe their skill in polemic. Dictionary.com defines polemic as "a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc." or "a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist." In their vocations, God gave them great gifts of eloquence, forthrightness, and wisdom. It is surely not a overstatement that God providentially used these men and their proclivity for debate to witness to the world.

So what circumstance in debate can detract from our witness or the demonstration of the fruit? Consider invective. Dictionary.com defines invective as, "an insulting or abusive word or expression." Martin Luther is famous for his withering insults. Even today, you can let Luther insult you. See this link. Calvin, so I have been told, is not an exception. (Calvin scholars, do you agree? My experience with reading Calvin is limited. Soon to be rectified!) As the story goes, Dabney stated the the ad-hominem attack was the only one a Darwinist would understand. In this modern age of internet debate and discussion, it seems to be in vogue to follow the example of our forebears and verbally abuse our opposite.

But all of these men were sinners. Should we follow the example of Luther, Calvin, and Dabney? Is invective a gift or a curse? What do we gain by mocking our enemy? Or reviling him? Do our points become better, stronger, or more irrefutable? Do our words become more eloquent or better timed? More importantly, did the impassioned derision lift up the name of God? Or did it detract from the witness? Did it sharpen a man's iron while displaying the fruit of the Spirit for the glory of God? That's the litmus test. If words cannot pass it, then they don't deserve to be spoken, typed, or thought. It's a question we would do well to consider before putting pen to page.

In the end, denouncing someone as a willfully-ignorant, monkey-brained wastrel isn't helpful. It doesn't demonstrate kindness, and it doesn't bring glory to God. Our arguments will never regenerate someone for that is God's work alone. Remembering this, we should demonstrate humility and kindness. For our great intellectual prowess didn't bring us here. God, by His grace, did.

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Sing to the LORD a new song

Psalm 96

"Sing to the LORD a new song; Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Sing to the LORD, bless His name; Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.

Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples.

For great is the LORD and greatly to be praised; He is to be feared above all gods.

For all the gods of the peoples are idols, But the LORD made the heavens.

Splendor and majesty are before Him, Strength and beauty are in His sanctuary.

Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, Ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

Ascribe to the LORD the glory of His name; Bring an offering and come into His courts.

Worship the LORD in holy attire; Tremble before Him, all the earth.

Say among the nations, 'The LORD reigns; Indeed, the world is firmly established, it will not be moved; He will judge the peoples with equity.'

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; Let the sea roar, and all it contains;

Let the field exult, and all that is in it. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy

Before the LORD, for He is coming, For He is coming to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness And the peoples in His faithfulness." 

Blest be the Lord

From Psalm 124 as found in the Trinity Hymnal
"Blest be the Lord who made us not their prey: 
As from the snare a bird escapeth free, 
Their net us rent and so escaped are we: 
Our only help is in Jehovah's Name, 
Who made the earth and all the heav'nly frame."

Education in the Scripture

Education is a topic about which I could never tire discussing. Having been homeschooled myself, I cannot take the subject of education for granted. Homeschooling nurtured my relationship with family and developed within me a Christian worldview. God is so good! In this vein, I was pleased to find this sermon. And I hope it encourages you to take the education of covenant children seriously. Enjoy.