When Christians Disagree

The issue of disagreement amongst Christians has come up a couple of times in the last couple of weeks in fairly high-profile ways, causing me to re-examine some things and of course go to the Word to try and wrestle through it. 

One event was Halloween, where I watched with sadness as Christians hurled accusations against each other, with those who are at peace with the holiday calling others legalistic and controlling, while those who oppose it accused the other side of being worldly and celebrating demons.  As I personally took my kids out to a few houses, I was less-than-gently rebuked by a few who felt that I was failing in my role as pastor, setting a poor example, and confusing my church (I should add that these voices were very few). 

The second, more important event was a conference, where a well-known and brilliant Bible teacher with decades of wonderful instruction to the Body of Christ held a conference to promote his new book, in which he claims Pentecostals/Charismatics are demon-inspired, blasphemous non-Christians who worship a false Christ and believe a false gospel.  He says this because he believes that spiritual gifts no longer function in the Church (go and Google "cessationism"), and because of that conviction, he condemns those who disagree with him to hell.

 

Romans chapter 14 is an absolutely fascinating read in times like this.  The early church had a real struggle on its hands - what to do with the Old Testament Law?  The OT was the only Bible that they had, and it commanded them to follow the Law, abstain from certain foods (keeping "kosher"), celebrate certain festivals and holy days before the LORD, etc.  Yet, Jesus was also ushering in a new age and a new covenant - a time of freedom - and the early church struggled with what exactly this meant.  Now that they were free in Christ, did they need to keep kosher?  Did they have to follow the festivals?  Paul deals with these questions in Romans 14.

 

What's fascinating in this passage is Paul's message: Loving and helping each other is more important than even the truth when it comes to "disputable matters." (v.1).  It really says that!  Now just to be clear, there are subjects in Scripture that are very plain: statements about God, Christ, salvation, sin, holiness, Scripture, etc.  There are truths that are worth standing up for and defending fiercely. 

 

But apparently, there are other areas – even truths – which are not.  There are matters which are in dispute - such as "Should a Christian participate in Halloween?", or "What is the proper understanding of the gifts of the Spirit?"  On these “disputable matters,” Paul has something very different to say.

 

When it comes to such issues, Paul says, "Don't quarrel." (v.1)  So....we're not allowed to do that!  What's amazing is that Paul knows on some of these matters that there is a definite right answer and a definite wrong answer.  He makes very clear that, on the issue of food, we no longer need to keep kosher (v.14).  That is the truth, and Paul does not deny it.  However, he also says that if someone's personal conviction is that they must remain kosher, and does so out of faith in their walk with God, then they are not to be judged in any way (v.5, 6, 14).

 

Do you see it?  On disputable matters, love and acceptance of our brothers and sisters is more important than being "right!"  Paul doesn't teach a wishy-washy commitment to truth - he teaches a freedom in Christ that allows us to act in freedom, according to our own conscience and conviction of faith, when it comes to issues that are not clearly laid out in the Word. 

 

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another," he says (v.13).  The one who feels at peace about Halloween is not allowed to call the one who stands against it "legalistic."  The one who opposes the holiday can't accuse the other side of "wordliness."  The one whose understanding states that the spiritual gifts have passed away shouldn't call the Charismatics "blasphemous."  And the Pentecostal shouldn't accuse the cessassionist of close-mindedness.

 

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (v.19)  Are we making "every effort" to accomplish this?  Or are we just getting mad at those who don't agree with what we believe, spending our time arguing and bickering? 

 

If a preacher today were to preach the way Paul does here, he/she would likely be accused of being weak on truth.  And yet, here we find it, right there in the Word of God for all eternity.

On essential matters, we are called to stand for the truth, defending it without compromise.  On non-essential matters, we are called to hold to our convictions without passing judgment on those who disagree with us.  And in all matters, we are called to be loving, patient, gentle, and kind to all, regardless of whether they agree with us or not (Gal 5:23-24).