There’s so much to talk about when it comes to theology, and discussions of theology have often caused divisions among the different denominations that has divided against one another. But I guess, I’m just going to write a little about the different labels that we put up for ourselves, and the need to reconcile to one another in love for Christ sake, though it doesn’t mean we stop talking about these doctrines.
Concerning the different doctrines that we find ourselves having to deal with today, we have often hear the famous quote among the evangelicals, “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity (love)”. This quote was by St Augustine, and later made famous by our ever famous John Wesley of the Methodism denomination. As good as this quote sounds, it also open doors to questions such as, what are the essentials? And what are the non-essentials? What does it mean to be united in Christ? I won’t be addressing as much as I ought to of that as I greatly lack depth in my study of these differences, however, I do want to offer some questions and opinions to keep probing our thought on this subject matter.
In one of the most heated debate among the evangelicals has got to be the soteriology aspect of it. Yes, I mean the Calvinism and Arminianism debate. This topic is often regarded as controversial from where I came from, and because it’s so provocative in it’s nature, that it has caused both Christians and non-Christians alike to ever be debating on this. As a result, we often find ourselves in a situation where we have bunch of people who are unregenerate being part of the discussion, to the point where we find them becoming such knowledge worshipers instead of God worshipers.
This only means problem to the church and to Christians. How often do we find ourselves as Christians, having to deal with elders and leaders rebuking us for being such “Pharisees”? In all honesty, I admit, that as Scriptures affirms that, knowledge do puffs a person up(1 Corinthians 8:1), people get prideful unconsciously when such enlightenment happens, and I’m glad that throughout my spiritual growth I have been often warned by many peers of the dangers of knowledge that has led me to constantly examine myself whether I have been prideful towards others. But now, it’s because of the pride that arises from this argument, it’s often regarded as a non-essential doctrine, some even despise any form of doctrine. People start despising knowledge just because it puffs people up.
You might not think it’s true, but have you heard these before? I said it before. Things like, “I hate labels”, “I don’t care about Calvin or Arminius, I ‘m a Christian, period”. I’m just wondering how much thoughts have we put into it before we say such things. So, I’m just going to put down some of my thoughts regarding this issue.
Number 1, if we really hate labels, Christian is a label too. So, we do realize that we need labels in one sense, and that is definitely not because we have a gap to just fill in, but because of the very reason that Christ saved us, that we call ourselves Christian. Really, how often do we find ourselves foolishly saying, I’m both? Just because we don’t want to engage controversies. Look, some controversies are horrible and foolish and we are to avoid them (Titus 3:9), but that doesn’t mean that we must avoid all of controversies, simply because there are some controversies that we need to address and engage as they are essentials!
Look, I know that labels has a way of puffing people up, I know that we ought to get worry when people start to misuse doctrines. Really, I know. But, our conviction is always going to be this, what the Bible says, we follow. That’s what being an evangelical is about right? (See, another label), we affirm inerrancy of the Bible, we affirm along the great reformers about Sola Scriptura because of our conviction of what the Scripture says, so why are we so afraid of doctrines? Why are we so resentful against labels? Because the only thing that we should be mad of is ourselves for our own sin. Is it not our sin that has twisted the truth, is it not because of sin that we use knowledge and labels to puff ourselves up?
I just want to plead with you to consider such things theologically, I want you to consider this, that learning and gaining knowledge doesn’t mean you’re puffing yourself with pride though we are prone to pride because of the knowledge that we gain, but having a label doesn’t mean pride. Knowledge is important, truth is essential to faith. Therefore, theology should be preached on pulpits, using labels and doctrines accordingly.
Number 2, labels are ways for us to address problems. The same thing can be said about creeds and catechisms. Same thing with certain doctrines you see. Without heresies, doctrine need not to be discussed. If there is no sin, there is no need for Christ to come you see! But these are just fantasies, we need to address problems, simply because they are problems. Our lack of maturity to ignore it simply because it causes division just shows that we don’t worship God at all. Is it not Christ who says that we ought to worship the Father in Spirit and in truth? So, when we say we hate labels, we are ignorant of the Spirit and truth, we are actually embracing problems and refuse to address it, THEN AT THE SAME TIME, we say, we believe in truth, ladies and gentlemen, to be straight with you, there is nothing more oxymoronic than that!
Yes, there are people who just want a label, wanting to identify with a certain group to be acceptable or just people who only see a gap to fill in, but that doesn’t mean label is bad. Label is to express what we are convicted of in Scriptures, not a mere tag to wear!
Number 3, truth of Scripture humbles a man more than the ignorance of it. Don’t ever think that because you don’t identify with any labels that you are less arrogant than one who holds one. Really, anyone can be prideful, anyone can hold on to something, I would call non-labels a label, label and non-label alike, is a label in a way, and anyone is prone to fall into pride not because label is a problem, but because sin is a problem. That’s why we often see that doctrine of grace is preached by the people who are really not gracious at all, myself included! Honest! Anyone can say I know something that you all don’t, therefore, I’m better, whatever that means!
Truth be told, I do understand where people who hate labels are coming from, sincerely, I do. And I do understand that there are people who cling on to these doctrines and worship them as God, or even worship themselves for knowing so much, and I don’t affirm that. But the way to fix that is to preach biblical doctrine, not ignore doctrine! As that would only prove that our loyalty is to the unity among man, not God nor Christ. Ephesians 4, read it. Unity under Christ, as He is the Head, and if doctrine shows that the head is not Christ, division has to happen. And there can be no toleration in regards to church for those who are not under Christ.
So, now, the question comes down to this on labels and doctrine, how do we then regard the essential as essential and the non-essential as non-essential?
So, in my convictions, if the centrality of Christianity is in its gospel, the apostolic gospel, then of course, everything that relates to the gospel is an essential. Read 1 Corinthians 15 and Galatians 1:6-10. We see the gospel is central to our belief. Therefore, any doctrine that would cause us to deviate in our understanding of the apostolic gospel cannot be tolerated. This is not me condemning other doctrines, this is just Scripture telling us what truth is and what truth is not. We know from the Nicene creed, that it was used to address the deity of Christ which is an essential as to counter Arianism. Apostle’s Creed to counter Gnosticism to affirm that Christ was both fully God and fully man. We know in terms of soteriology, that Calvinism was to address that salvation is monergistic not synergistic. That salvation is of the Lord and does not depend on man for we are totally depraved (Though classical Arminianism do affirm total depravity). Anything that operates outside the perspective of the gospel is classified as non-essential, such as the Lord’s supper, baptism, gifts and etc.
So, what is the gospel ? If we can agree on the apostolic gospel, then there is no reason for us to not be united under Christ.
For further readings on truth and unity,
http://www.ligonier.org/blog/it-was-nice-while-it-lasted/
http://teampyro.blogspot.com/2011/10/on-fraternizing-with-rank-heretics.html
