In the past couple of blogs we have asked why our Christian community is so fractious when Jesus prayed that we should be as one. The first question we must ask is: What does Christian unity mean? Does it require all Christians need to have exactly the same beliefs; are we to adhere to exactly the same doctrinal statement?
There are two reasons why all Christians do not need to have the same beliefs. First, in this blog we have repeatedly emphasized that while everyone agrees we are finite, most do not consider the implications of that belief. One implication is that it is highly likely that some of our beliefs (doctrines) are in error. Christians with differing theological viewpoints can both point to scripture which supports their position. For example, those who do not believe in the doctrine of the trinity have some valid Biblical arguments [1]. So we must recognize that until we get to heaven, there will be differences of opinion about our doctrine because of our incomplete knowledge. God recognizes that we are finite and he will judge us according the light we have and not some standard of knowledge that some Christians establish (Luke 12:47-48 and John 15:22-24).
Second, the apostle Paul recognized that Christians will have differences of opinion and gave advice on how we are to handle those disagreements. Paul, in Romans 14:1-12 tells us that we each are to be convinced in our own minds the doctrines we believe. However, he also tells us not to quarrel with or pass judgment on those who believe differently than we because each of us will eventually give an account of our lives before God. We do not give an account of ourselves to other Christians. [2] It appears many Christians ignore Paul’s sound advice.
Now this is not to say people do not error in their doctrine. We will differ on what are the essentials of our faith. So a discussion about our beliefs is healthy and necessary. The point I am making is that we fail to follow the teachings of the Bible when we become so very judgmental of those whose beliefs are different than ours. We need to recognize God can use people who have different doctrinal beliefs. And maybe we should spend more time evaluating our own beliefs instead the beliefs of others.
We will continue this discussion on the next blog.
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[1] Anthony F. Buzzard and Charles F. Hunting. The Doctrine of the Trinity. Lanham, MD: International Scholars Publications, 1998.
[2] Romans 14:1-12 ESV
As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables. Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.
One person esteems one day as better than another, while another esteems all days alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. The one who observes the day, observes it in honor of the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s. For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.
Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we will all stand before the judgment seat of God; for it is written,
“As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.”
So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.
