People have often pressed me for my particular views on some of the more sensitive issues in higher theological doctrine; predestination, free will, losing salvation, baptism essential for salvation, infant who die going to heaven or not, and so on. Here is my answer to all of them. If debating high levels of theology somehow brings either of us into a closer relationship with God, makes either of us fall in love with Jesus in a deeper way, or brings unity among brothers and sisters in Christ, then I will gladly discus it with you. If, however, you are arguing to gain spiritual points, or to prove that you have a better understanding of God than another brother or sister, or to win a convert to your faction of Christianity, count me out.
If you are arguing that Christ does not save us, or that one cannot be saved then there is some urgency for that topic. But, if we are simply debating the method by which Jesus does save us, or the mystery behind God’s hand in the world, then I wonder about the immediate need for an answer. The truth is that there are greater mysteries in our faith and bigger issues to which we trust God. Here’s the issue. We would rather argue over the ways in which God could save people, rather than be that means of salvation.
The thing about the debates over salvation is that it is almost always, as far as I have seen, not a debate for one’s own salvation. The debate is almost always whether or not someone else is saved or can be saved or decided to be saved or was destined to be saved and on and on. What I mean by this is that, the argument is always based on the premise that the person speaking is in fact saved, regardless of the method they believe it came about by. So regardless of which side you choose, both sides are believers in Christ—whether they believe that they chose that or that they were destined to be saved, or that they were destined to choose or chose to be destined… Here’s the bottom line: are you now, as this argument is being debated, in a relationship with God? One would assume that the people arguing about it are the ones who have crossed over anyway. If so, stop arguing and trust that the God, who saved your soul from the brink of Hell, knows what He’s doing whether you do or not.
the time it has taken for countless Christians to argue over the minutia of the mystery of how Christ came to save us, I wonder how much good could have been done from your position of having already been saved.
God said love those who hate you and make disciples of all the nations and that He would help you and I do it. I say we do it.
I think you are spot on with this, especially the last line. It reminds me of a conversion story on ChristianityToday that has been floating around Facebook lately.
ReplyDeleteIn the article, the author references John 7:17:
"If anyone is willing to do His will, he will know of the teaching, whether it is of God or whether I speak from Myself."
In many ways we learn doctrine by doing the will of God. I do not discount the need for solid theological training, but it cannot be done in a vacuum. It must be in the context of daily obedience.
As Paul said, if we know all mysteries and all knowledge and have not love—if we do not put hands and feet to God's commandments—we are yet nothing.
One's ideas about God and how He works are important, because they definitely affect the way one views the world and how one plans, etc. But in a way, obedience trumps doctrine. It is almost a shortcut. I may have a pessimistic outlook which stems from a defeatist mentality born out of my belief in a distant God, or I may have a fear of man in witnessing that is born out of my belief that men are not predestined and therefore everything rests on my own words; but if I obey God, I will overcome these weaknesses. God will teach me about Himself as I align myself with His word through my actions.
Sorry for the long comment. I guess I had to talk myself through the ideas your post sparked. Thanks for writing.
P.S. In case you hadn't seen the article, I have posted the link below.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/january-february/my-train-wreck-conversion.html
Thanks Jordan - man, your comments are always so well thought out and constructive! I really appreciate that you read these posts and that you take the time to comment on them. It helps to have thoughtful responses to ideas.
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