In our current climate of polarisation and division, we are spotlighting a helpful 2 part series on gospel unity by Professor Gerry Breshears –one of Chris’ seminary professors! The 4Ds he presents are helpful for us as we think through how to partner with and be unified with other churches in HK even if we disagree with areas of their doctrine or practice.
“Wise Christians know that the main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing. They have a nose for significance and create a climate of unity around central issues while moderating and directing discussion over secondary issues. They see how seemingly insignificant matters may undercut the central points of the gospel, even though they may appear benign, cultured, or loving. Wise Christians understand that some issues, which may seem fundamental, are actually seeds of division planted by the enemy of our souls.
Mature churches understand Paul’s admonition to “Avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless” (Titus 3:9) but also know to “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him” (Titus 3:10).
How can we discern which battles to fight? Is there a way to differentiate between wolves in sheep’s clothing and sheep in wolves’ clothing?
In navigating divisive issues, I have found it most helpful to distinguish levels of certainty. Then I can differentiate what is essential from that which is merely controversial. For me, this breaks down into four levels: First are things I would “die for.” To deny them knowingly would demonstrate that you are outside the boundaries of gospel orthodoxy and perhaps not in living relationship with Jesus.
In navigating divisive issues, I have found it most helpful to distinguish levels of certainty.
Second are things I would “divide for.” We are Christians, fellow members of the body of Christ, but we won’t be in the same local fellowship. Third are things I would “debate for.” Here, we are in the same church but we will wrestle (sometimes heatedly) with these issues. Fourth are things we “decide for.” These issues contribute to the rich diversity in the life of our church. Let’s discuss each in turn.
Die For
This category contains the foundations of the faith once delivered to the saints for which we contend earnestly (Jude 3). If necessary, the truth of the gospel incorporated in these propositions are things for which we would give up our life. They include the inspiration and authority of Scripture, the Trinity, and the incarnation of the second person of the Trinity as the God-man, Jesus, including his virgin birth, sinless life, substitutionary atonement, bodily resurrection and personal return. Also included is justification and regeneration by grace alone through faith alone which is lived out in gospel centered good works (Eph. 2:8-10; Tit. 2:11-13;3:3-8), the Spirit’s personal indwelling believers constituting the one body of Christ, and the final judgment leading to hell and heaven.
Calling a person who knowingly denies essentials of the faith a brother or sister in Christ for the sake of “unity” truly denies the unity founded on the truth of Jesus Christ. We see a growing progressive wing that calls for humility and broadening the definition of gospel orthodoxy to include universalism. Humility concerning such items can never be a virtue. Some truths are worth dying for.
Divide For
Everyone who affirms the essentials in word and life is a fellow member of Christ’s body, one whom we call brother or sister in Christ. However, other important issues are so foundational to our life with God that we will divide fellowship over them. In ancient times it led to the division between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:39). In modern times, these are the foundations of the denominational differences.
Arminians will divide from Reformed over the extent of God’s sovereignty and election. Both may divide from Pentecostals over the nature and timing of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Is baptism the sign and seal of membership in the covenant community appropriate for infant children of believers or is it a sign of personal confession of Jesus as Lord appropriate only for believers? Should the mission of the church include promoting justice in society as a major ministry focus along with winning the lost and worshiping God? Separate churches will form depending on whether women can be elders or pastors and if the Sunday morning church service should be liturgical, expositional, or celebrative.
It seems to me that such divisions may be legitimate so long as the overall unity of the body is affirmed and the dividing points are truly central issues.
These divisions become problematic when the dividing walls are so high that there is little contact between different groups, when we devote blogs to what is wrong with the other group, or when arguments between the groups drain significant energy from our worship of God, building godliness or proclaiming the gospel.
When we recognize that these are “divide for,” not “die for” issues, we can pray for each other and cooperate in issues of Christian life, justice ministry, and evangelism.
In recent years, we have reduced the number of issues in the “divide for”category. Often this is because there is an attempt to look for unifying points and see the differences within that light. When churches emphasize the power of the Spirit’s work and the fullness of the gifts, the evidentiary significance of speaking in tongues that used to divide Pentecostals and Charismatics is much less significant. As we affirm strongly the centrality of Scripture, fewer will divide over the question of whether God speaks today only through Scripture, or if He also speaks through prophetic revelation.
When the unifying truth of a whole-person spirituality (including mind, will,emotions, body and spirit) is emphasized, churches balance careful teaching of the Word and the expectation of a gospel-centered, heart-level obedience.
Jesus calls us to unity and so we should pursue gospel ecumenism, a spiritual unity that still respects these important differences. This kind of ecumenism promotes true understanding between instead of caricatures of the other groups. It speaks first and primarily of our unity in Christ and addresses others as fellow believers.”
For part II, see our next blog.