Daring Not to Be Doggedly Dogmatic (But Not Dogmatically So) About Doctrinal Distinctives

There are many Christians who believe that all of theology is just one big slippery slope.  If you question any aspect of a certain set of doctrines then the end result will be a loss of belief in miracles and the divine nature of Jesus.  (Now, I find it interesting because some who worry about this already believe that miracles and spiritual gifts by and large don’t happen today; they were only for what they call apostolic times.)  Many who feel this way also believe that it is important to separate oneself from those who believe differently about issues of doctrine to ensure “doctrinal purity.”  And, as they discuss this it seems Jude 3 (“contend for the faith”) is often quoted, even though Jude focuses primarily on license and the deity of Christ. 

The conclusion drawn by those who are of such opinions produces works like this article written by a theology professor at a large denominational seminary.  I’ve been thinking about and praying about this thought process a lot lately, especially because I have believed similarly much of my life.  I’m not the only one to notice the article, and you can read others Christians’ comments and posts, here, here, and here. 

One particular set of comments really got me thinking and questioning.  I will edit his comments only to make them not refer to any particular denomination.  He wrote:  I agree about the nonessentials [of Christian beliefs] not dividing Christians, but are there not secondary tiers [of beliefs] that would still divide and cause a person not to be considered [a member of our denomination]?  Are there not secondary tier issues and beliefs that would cause us to say, “We love you, God bless you, but, you are not [qualified to belong to our denomination given that belief]”?

In response to that question and comment I wrote in part, “What makes a given denomination want to tell someone they aren’t [qualified to be a member]?”  Why are you so concerned about making sure everyone agrees on every issue [so long as we are all truly following Jesus]?”  (Understand I mean Jesus as He described Himself in the Bible: as Son of God, Son of Man, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Word, fully God and fully man, One Person of the Trinity, the Creator, the Savior, in Whom all things consist, the Way, the Truth, and the Life, I am, and so on and so on.)  He also wrote the following:  “I would not want to join with T.D. Jakes or Benny Hinn in a bible conference.”  (I think this was brought up because some considered it (bad) news that a “conservative” (whatever that means) pastor of this commenter’s denomination plans to speak at a bible conference with Jakes and Hinn). 

To that comment I wrote this:  You are so sure of your knowledge of the truth but you wouldn’t want to speak with those whom you are sure don’t have a complete understanding of that same truth at a bible conference? Using that reasoning, what you are saying is that you would rather leave all those who attend such a bible conference without anyone speaking for the truth than to be sharing a stage with people with whom you disagree on some issues of doctrine. I find that interesting. I don’t understand it. As I continued to ponder these comments and my responses, these questions came to mind:  Why do we often feel a need to tell other people they don’t belong [in a particular group]?  And, this is all the more concerning among believers in Jesus, who are all a part of the Body of Christ.   Romans 12:4-5  tells us we belong to one another.  Why would we tell other believers, to whom we belong, that they don’t belong with us?  It would appear, in light of Romans 12, that doing so is unbiblical. 

Why would we chase people away?  From what are we chasing them?  To what are we chasing them?  The commenter wrote, “We love you,” but is separating and walking away love?  Aren’t we called to draw people to Him?  To what end would it be that we would want to separate?  What are we accomplishing by persuading Christians that their beliefs disqualify them from being a part of a group of Christians and disallowing them from assembling together?  Why, when God gave us a great desire for relationship and shows us He is a relational God and that it is not good for man to be alone do we seem to push everyone away?  Did Jesus surround Himself with others who were sound in doctrine to do His ministry or did He simply endeavor to disciple those who would follow Him?  Doesn’t it seem that those who are strongest in the faith would be least worried about working with people who may not be as strong?  In fact, wouldn’t they long for opportunities to do as Jesus commanded them: to make disciples?  If we believe that we could in some way do damage to God’s reputation by our participation in ministry with someone who believes differently about baptism or speaking in tongues then are we thinking too highly of ourselves and too lowly of God?

As I pondered these questions, knowing that I was the chief of sinners in this regard all too many times in my life, I realized that when I participate in such it seems that I am more about drawing people into my own image than I am about drawing them to the Risen Savior and God of the Universe.  I’m taking on the role of the Holy Spirit in the lives of others, trying to be a spiritual blacksmith (as one of my pastors, Steve Pulliam, would say) by pounding and forging others’ spiritual lives and convictions into the image of my own.  I also realized that if I start to take a judgmental attitude against those who don’t agree with my thought process here or who think it is very important to maintain a myriad of doctrinal distinctives, then I am even more guilty. 

I also struggle in these thoughts because I don’t mean to say that all denominationalism is bad or that forming groups is bad.  And I am struggling with that because it sure sounds like I am.  (I will admit I don’t see any evidence for denominations in the Bible, however, and Paul definitely didn’t like all the Corinthian division.)  People also legitimately question how you judge what is essential to being a Christian and ensure that truth is taught in the church…But I suppose what I am saying at a minimum is that whenever we are more concerned about our “group,” whatever that group is, and its beliefs, or our version of the truth, particularly when those beliefs and “truths” are more traditional than biblical, then I would daresay we are fixing are eyes more on a set of traditions than we are on Jesus.  Moreover, when we feel compelled to proclaim our way as THE way it would seem to be a usurpation of the authority of God.  And, that clearly is wrong.  And I know I have been guilty of it, am guilty of it, and hope, by the grace of God, will not be guilty of it in the future. 

Have you pondered these questions?  What do you think? I may post next on Jude and contending for the faith… any thoughts on that?  How much does Romans 14 come into play and its discussion of disputable matters?