There
are very few things in the world to which I would verbally fight for, but when
I “know” I am right, that is one of them.
I’m not so sure why my hackles go up when it happens, but I suspect it
has to do with feeling their disagreement is like they are calling me a
liar. Still, I’ve noticed we, as
Christians, are often so sure of our own stance on issues being Biblically right
that we argue tooth and nail, often even illogically so. Some people even go so far as to quote what
other teachers and authors say, as if it comes close to God speaking?
The
truth is, only God (Father, Son and Spirit) is 100% accurate as to Biblical
truth- the rest of us make mistakes; so no one Christian denomination has it
all right, and no single individual has it all right. The important thing is that the basic doctrines
concerning God’s nature and salvation (the essentials) are accurate. Everything else is secondary, imo.
For I delivered to you first of all that which I also
received, that Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures, and that
He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the
Scriptures; 1Cr. 15:3,4 …our Lord Jesus
Christ. (v.57)
- Jesus Christ died for our sins.
- as it was written in the Scriptures
- He was buried
- He rose again the third day
For now, I
won’t write about the typical debates such as if dancing, drinking alcohol, or watching
movies can be godly, eating pork, acceptable clothing, women in ministry etc,
but will focus on Christian never-ending debate topics: pre-trib. or post- trib. rapture if any
rapture, church organization, elect- predestination or not, the fourth kingdom
in Daniel 2, spiritual gifts, if works are important or not, sprinkle splash or
dunk baptisms, mansions or rooms in heaven, where the anti-christ will come
from, etc. I think often our rules in any
debate are:
- I'm always right.
- If you think I am wrong, refer to rule #1.
Again, Jesus never lies, but we are human and thus prone
to mistakes.
(about Jesus) He who did no sin, nor was guile found
in His mouth, 1Pt. 2:22
for all have sinned* and come short of the glory of
God, Rm. 3:23 (*hamartao-miss the mark, err, do wrong,
wander from God)
When we are
good naturedly debating the non-essentials, then we should stop if feelings are
being improperly stirred up. And just to
clarify, I think it is very poor behaviour to debate non-essentials in front of
non-Christians. It makes them think we
can’t get along or aren’t loving.
Let not any filthy word go out of your mouth, but if
any is good to building up in respect of need, that it may give grace to the
ones hearing. Ep. 4:29
Let your speech be
always with grace, having been seasoned with salt, that you may know how you
ought to answer each one. Cl. 4:6
contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the
saints. Jude 1:3 (-contend for the faith originally delivered)
Our ultimate
goal in any communication shouldn’t be to be right, but rather to further the kingdom
of God
But avoid foolish questions and genealogies and
contentions, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable and vain.
Tt. 3:9