Sunday, March 05, 2006
Disagree Or Condemn
Jollyblogger looked at the "lens of utter depravtiy" and discussed how Christians disagree with each other. His essential point? - it is easier to condemn than it is to disagree.
I think it springs from thinking we know more than we really do. You see, condemnation is appropriate if really know that the institutional church is beyond hope. But can we really know anything that assuredly?
Now, I find that farily easy to remember, when I have a problem is when the other guy doesn't understand the same thing. When the other guy is so certain of his position, my reaction is to grow far more certain of mine that I may actually be, to try and counter his certainty with greater certainty.
David pointed out one such recent encounter in the blogosphere
You know, the thing I always try to remember when I feel myself being pressed into the condemnation corner is the old cliche,"When arguing with a fool, make sure he is not similarly occupied."
Related Tags: disagreement, condemnation, certainty, humility, pride
When I was at Columbia Biblical Seminary and Graduate School of Missions Ralph Neighbor was there. Ralph Neighbor is one of the big gurus of the cell church movement and he said that the institutional church was irredeemable, beyond hope of revival. Since the institutional church could not be revived the cell church was the answer. Notice, the institutional church does not merely have problems or errors, it is irredeemable and beyond hope of revival - i.e. it is utterly depraved.I must share in David's confession of being guilty in that department.
I think it springs from thinking we know more than we really do. You see, condemnation is appropriate if really know that the institutional church is beyond hope. But can we really know anything that assuredly?
Job 37:16 - Dost thou know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him which is perfect in knowledge?What is the sin we are guilty of when we declare someone else's condemnation? Pride! We assume we have the knowledge of God.
Now, I find that farily easy to remember, when I have a problem is when the other guy doesn't understand the same thing. When the other guy is so certain of his position, my reaction is to grow far more certain of mine that I may actually be, to try and counter his certainty with greater certainty.
David pointed out one such recent encounter in the blogosphere
Since I started this with a reference to Jim Nicholson from the Boars Head Tavern let's talk about them. I have often found that, in speaking of them you are either for them or against them, in or out. They're all good or they're all bad. The same goes for Phil and the Pyromaniacs - you are either for them or against them. There was a time where it seemed as if a good motto for the Christian blogosphere would have been "choose you this day whom you will serve, Phil or Michael." Sometimes it seemed as if it was not enough to agree or disagree with these guys, you had to decide on the whole of their respective characters and theological positions.I steered very clear of that entire mess because it seemed to me there was far too much certainty on both sides.
You know, the thing I always try to remember when I feel myself being pressed into the condemnation corner is the old cliche,"When arguing with a fool, make sure he is not similarly occupied."
Related Tags: disagreement, condemnation, certainty, humility, pride
