So and So

“There is no defense against criticism except obscurity.”  – Joseph Addison

With at least 38,000 Christian denominations worldwide do you think there are some significant differences of opinion on a wide range of doctrinal topics?

Does a 10 lb. bag of flour make a really big biscuit? Is the Pope Catholic? Do one legged ducks swim in circles? Does Windows have bugs? Did Clinton have sex with that woman? Do Bears….. howl in the woods? Is Ed “Too Tall” Jones too tall?

Clearly there are essential beliefs that define and unite those committed to the Lordship of Christ and the truth of The Gospel. Those truths are so core that to not believe them is to posture one’s self outside the circle of Christianity.

In addition to these essential beliefs are lesser issues or nonessential beliefs that believers may differ on. As the thousands of Protestant denominations attest, there are many… literally thousands of issues that Christians disagree on. Most of these are non-essential areas of belief and practice (important, passionately held convictions… but not definitively essential to the Christian faith such as the sequence of events preceding the Return of the Lord, the age of the earth, the role of women in the church, baptismal preferences, a wide range of life style issues, style of worship music, many political positions, etc.).

Differences among Christians have always existed; however, most Christians ascribe to the maxim:”in essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things charity.”  Or as Paul put it,

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. – Paul, Ephesians 4: 2-3.

But some Christians don’t ascribe to that maxim.

A passionate man writes me wanting to know Ransomed Heart’s doctrinal position on….. so and so. He writes that, while he would like to attend one of our conferences, he will not give his time or money to any organization that doesn’t believe… so and so.

Now, I genuinely respect a person’s convictions and passions. Some would criticize me for being too gracious, and while cheering on the diligent study of God’s Word and the formation of a Biblical Worldview/theology, I can get ruffled over the arrogance, mulish pharisaic spirit and the unloving posture some of us take over issues that are nowhere near the orbit of Christianity’s essential/core beliefs. (Note… i once was that guy!)

I respond to his “concern” in trademark kindness and patience receiving an immediate curt reply from him rebuking my heretical minimizing of this issue.

Breathe deep; come God… forgiveness, mercy, patience and humility fill me.

Are there really thousands of essential… cardinal beliefs we must hold to hope for the salvation of God or to bear the mark “Christian”?

Is it hundreds of non-negotiable doctrinal positions we must hold to? Is it scores of doctrines that, if not ascribed to, justify the hatred, cursing and judging of another under the guise of pursuing doctrinal purity?

I think not. I think there are far less than many of us propose. The Apostles Creed or The Nicene Creed refer to relatively few... each essential, each to be held to passionately and defended vigorously, but in total, few in number.

”In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things charity.”

Love God, live free! – Craig McConnell

 

(for those familar with my blog… I’m mightily resisting the inclusion of a bunch of notes…errrr, “footnotes” here…)

Comments

[Brian Roberson]

Bless you, Craig! I find Psalm 1:1-2 a good point of reflection.

And mockers don't just exist *outside* the church. Truth is, I hate doctrine debates, and they seem even less attractive than a root canal. Doctrine is often a one dimensional view of the truth. And we know that God isn't one dimensional by any means.

When I hear the hashed and re-hashed debates about theological talking points, I'm reminded that God isn't a God we can put in a box. I want to scream when others seem more interested in sharing the fear of Hell rather than the love of Christ. Love one another, not scare one another. Without it we are nothing more than noisemakers.

A quote I once heard stated, "Those with the most closed minds usually have the most open mouths."

[Stew Carson]

Totally with you Craig! Very well put.

Years ago Ted Haggard put a framework together about 4 categories of agreements for followers f Christ:

1. The absolutes (the rock bottom truths of our faith we can agree on - very small in #);

2.'Interpretations' (our particular slant on scriptures);

3. 'Deductions' (comparing verses & coming to conclusions about them); &

4. Finally the last category that includes 'cultural norms, subjective opinions, feelings & personal preferences'.

We ought to be getting less dogmatic & more charitable as we move away from the absolutes. Otherwise we end up with what you write of...

[Jennifer]

How interesting that I should read this at a time when I'm asking a lot of questions and wondering what is fundamental to my walk with God. Because of His amazing work, I'm learning that there is a lot I never knew about what a Christian life really means. I think you're right -- it's a LOT simpler than we often believe. And the day I stop striving and start relaxing in Him, will be an amazing day.

Still tossing you up in His arms.

[Rocco]

This is so timely!
.
I just got "Bible Bashed" for a statement I made on FaceBook about whether Jesus was capable of sinning or not. Some dude posted 4 long posts, full of proof-texted scripture condemning what I said. After talking with God about it all night, I woke this thought:
.
"We could argue till we are dead (some do) about Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit. Who can understand the fullness of God? I know, whether we agree or not, that God loves us, desires to have a relationship with us, and delights in our desire to know Him more."
.
(Your guys mission statement is the best ever!)

[jill dyer]

The realization that there truly is NO condemnation in Jesus has been a theme in my life recently. Honestly, if you would have asked me last year if this was something I lived under or held over others I would have said "no." Unfortunately, that is untrue. It has been freeing to be able to pray against condemnation and to turn away from it while turning into Jesus. I have seen over and over WHY God is doing this NOW. He is very kind and very wise. So yes, come Jesus and show us your very heart for others and for ourselves so that your paradoxical love can breach our very core.

[Doug Bryan]

Craig, so right on! Your "musings" are so relevant. Days ago my wife introduced me to a recent work by Phyllis Tickle that speaks to some of your insights and questions. My reading brought to the surface, once again, issues of faith, which I have been struggling with for over 20 years. Now, there is a bit more clarity as too why. To realize that I am not alone in the dialogue is refreshing. There is a bit of exhale knowing that as I walk with God and others I am not crazy.

[David Felts]

Craig, while I have shared many of my beliefs with many Christian friends, I have been bashed, slammed, accused of being a rude person who wouldn't know the love of God if it bit him on the butt, and so on.

At first I would attempt to persuade these people to my way of thinking, all doing so with the attitude of wanting to share something of my life that was so core to me. I have since learned that it is not always possible to do that and not come away without losing a friendship in the process.

I have chosen to share my beliefs, if they are batted down, or whatever I just drop it and move on with the person by praying for them to see what I was trying to show them. What I don't do anymore is try to continually bring this up with them. Life is really too short to miss out on the possibility of a friendship just because we don't always agree doctrinally.
The love of Christ compels me to help others, but first I must work on pulling the plank out of my own eye...strength and honor for the Kingdom and the King!

[charles kemp]

Craig
I believe that the most import things are Faith in God, Do No Harm to anyone, Do Good to all, and to Stay in Love With God.

Charles Kemp

[Frank]

I know what you mean. I recommended Wild At Heart to someone on a plane trip and he started to rip into its "theology".

As to the point: my line in the sand is the "ones" in Eph 4:4-5 -body (Church), Spirit, hope, Lord, faith, baptism, God and Father of all. Everthing else falls into Romans 14, or like the quote you use, "in all things charity".

[Darrin Koone]

I thought the small circle I grew up in was the only one that used ”In essentials, unity; in nonessentials, liberty; in all things charity.”

Craig, You ruined it for me.

Funny, we said that and treated everyone who wasn't "us" like they were satan himself....

[Bill]

I find great grace in the reading of your doctrinal statement and the prayer that follows, knowing that "The Daily Prayer" itself had undergone various tweaks.

My own theology may change, moment by moment, as I pray and Father woos my heart nearer to His own. My own orthopraxy becomes more descriptive of my orthodoxy than my words and writings could ever express and too much is argued that never becomes action. A pharisectomy is never a "once-for-all" surgery.

Much parrying over words has become a shield over the true issues of my heart seldom allowing my heart to be observed (examined) by others or myself.

[Vern Hyndman]

I hate to bring this up, my dear brother, but you open yourself to criticism by the company you keep... as long as you insist on hanging out with long haired Saquatch lookin dudes, your footnotes are just gonna be discounted. You insist on walking around with no mask, like you think the real you is better than the facade... maskless men are only slightly less worrisome than those with "the lean and hungry look"... just never know WHAT such a man is likely to do.

Back in the 60's, streaking was the rage... and wouldncha know, RH comes up with the millenial version... running around otionally nekked.

"yes they called him the streak, fastest thing on two feet... and I yelled ETHYL, don't look, but it was too late, she already got a free show"

[Vern Hyndman]

Note... "otionally" = "emotionally" to a fat fingered dude on an iTouch.

[Craig McConnell]

“Over a two-thousand year period, but especially in the last two hundred years, we have jerked and tugged the Christian faith out of its original soil, its life-giving source, which is an honest relationship with God through Jesus the Christ. After uprooting the faith, we have entombed it in a declaration of adherence to a set of beliefs. The shift has left us with casual doctrinal assent that exists independent of a changed life. We have made the Cross into a crossword puzzle, spending out time diagramming Byzantine theories of atonement. How did the beauty of Jesus atoning work get isolated from the wonder of restoring an authentic relationship between God and humanity?” - Leonard Sweet

[jill dyer]

How did the beauty of Jesus atoning work get isolated from the wonder of restoring an authentic relationship between God and humanity?” - Leonard Sweet

mmmhmmm.

[Michael Dyer]

Leonard needs to change his last name saying stuff like that...

[Freeman]

I have recently made some good friends with a couple of Catholic Priests. One, a Franciscan monk and Psychologist is a classic, cuddly “Friar Tuck” type. The other oversees about 35,000 families and serves a large congregation as well as 10 other local parish churches. Being an ex-charismatic pastor and a current evangelical leader of men... with Episcopal roots (egad!), I am also on a quest to find the common ground of faith between the factions in Christ's Body (WHAT A TERRIBLE WAY TO PUT IT!). One thing I know...men are men...and if there is a spiritual spark, they are drawn to truth and authenticity...and yearn to be better men and fathers and husbands. Our ministry (core300.org/blog) actually uses the Nicene Creed as out doctrinal position, so I love Craig's challenge here!

[Craig McConnell]

Brian,
Why do we forget that, as you put it, "God isn't a God we can put in a box"? What do we think we gain by doing that?

[Craig McConnell]

Rocco,
There are hills to die on, there are many more to pass by from a distance. As has been said, you can win a battle and lose the war. Pick your hills wisely.

[Craig McConnell]

Vern... I love your gift, pass my greetings onto ETHYL! - Craig

[Bronco]

Not long ago... I wrote a letter, to Craig, requesting to know the exact position of RHM on a certain subject. Ok, I'll go ahead and say it... their position on Young Earth Creationism. I do not believe Craig was referring to my email above - I was much more gracious in my approach - but he easily could have.

So let me get this straight. RHM believes that... "[ideas]not definitively essential to the Christian faith such as the sequence of events preceding the Return of the Lord, the age of the earth, the role of women in the church, baptismal preferences, a wide range of life style issues, style of worship music, many political positions, etc." Do not matter?

Well, the "enemy" or "the world" sure takes these "negotiable and irrelevant" matters quite seriously.

Preach creationism in a public place, and see what happens to you. Or denounce CNN as feminist. You'd be lucky if you avoid a severe beating and jail time for violating "hate crimes."

As far as these "negotiable and irrelevant things that we can all just disagree on" as Craig would say... allow me to quote a real Christian soldier, like Chuck Baldwin, in his latest column (substitute the word "evil" for "power" below for more clarity, but that's not necessary)...

"If history teaches us anything, it teaches us that power always craves more power. And there are only 2 ways to check power: internally, through self-discipline and humility; or externally, through equally determined and equipped counterforces."

http://chuckbaldwinlive.com/home/?p=1095

You see, that's the difference between "us" and "them." Christians are supposed to compromise at every turn not only in the face of the enemy, but amongst themselves. The enemy does not compromise - especially in these matters of faith and culture (Is RHM so foolish and naive that they do not believe evolutionism is a faith and a counter-culture?).

I'm sad to say that this blog is little more than an echo chamber for mealy-mouth Christians. Quite shocking for a ministry that sponsored books like Wild at Heart and Waking the Dead.

P.S. The "Captivating" ministry at RHM is a disaster. John E. has complained many times that his book The Way of the Wild Heart did not do nearly as well as expected. I know many MEN who thought RHM would get the "woman question" right... THE QUESTION right... and they got it spectacularly wrong and thus gave up on the ministry. If anything, that's why this book has done so poorly. Don't blame everything on Satan.

[Brian Roberson]

We *want* to know God. Intimately. Desperately. But we lose sight of Isaiah 55:8-9. We try to know God as we can comprehend Him. Since all that we can fathom is in the realm of human perception, we tend to place the humanistic qualities upon God. I know that we are made in God's image. Too often, by trying to simplify God until we can wrap our silly little minds around His greatness, we end up remaking God in our own image. We don't set out to find the anthropocentric heresy, but end up there because we can't even imagine the destination, let alone find it on a map. It's Shangri-La, really. We know in our heart of hearts that it exists, but since it is not on our map and Tom-Tom can't find it, we have to settle for South Carolina or Steamboat Springs or St. Louis. All nice places- but not quite Shangri-La.

Instead, we must accept that His ways are higher than ours by embracing Isaiah 55:8-9. We must trust the Spirit to reveal to us what we need in this life, as described in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16:

'We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. No, we speak of God's secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" —but God has revealed it to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.'

I reflect upon this passage and weep. I imagine Eternity. All the streets of gold, walls of jasper, and Saints of Old won't matter. God doesn't have to give me a mansion because it's not like I will want to retreat or rest there. I imagine, the deepest yearning of my heart, just lying in the Arms of God Himself, while He tells me His stories-- just a prodigal son, hearing about the "good ol' days" from his Father. And the stories.... my, oh my!

[Vern Hyndman]

Hey, great Len Sweet quote... Len is a great guy and a personal friend. Check out his advances, they rock... he jiggles my grey matter and all sortsa stuff pops out.

Bronc... reading your post was such a blast from my past... your position and the one I came from look very similar. I'd like to offer you something if you're open to it...
I found out that fear is like cold, or like dark... fear is a void. Cold is not anything but the absence of heat, and dark is not anything but the absence of light, and fear... fear is the absence of love.

Darkness has no influence on darkness, and cold cannot defeat cold, but the smallest candle at the 50 yard line defeats an entire stadium of dark.

Fear does not defeat fear. Love displaces fear. Fear has no defense to love.
So rather than offering the world your interpretation of what God says about creation, why not offer them love? Because in the end, the creation argument is just that, and argument... and trust me, it is endless. I live a few minutes away from a place that tried to take over the school district to force ID in the curriculum. The fruit of their action is distrust, and hurt, and a resolve to keep Christians as far away from the school as possible. There was no love on either side, just a mad desire to win, even if it meant throwing others under the bus to do it.

The gospel is not furthered by the best arguments... the gospel lives in the hearts of people, and argument is a small part of what it takes to offer life.

Christ has transformed my life, and Christ lives in me, and you and I still don't likely agree on the interpretation of scripture... we don't have to agree to be brothers. We do, however, have to love each other.

In assessing anything, we're told to look at the fruit. What comes of the things we do? Love? Trust? Healing? These things are good, and they are the fruit I have seen from RH and also from Captivating. What is it about the fruit of these things that bothers you?

[Brian Roberson]

Well put, Vern.

issues such as HOW the earth was made are not as important as WHO made the Earth. The Bible tells us nothing about how, but an incredible amount about WHO. More than we can digest in a lifetime.

The Bible itself tells us THAT creation happened, and who did it. "How" or When" are not for us to know. For it is written in 2 Peter 3:8-9 ‘But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.’

Who knows what God's time frame is? Isaiah 55:8-9 states '"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'

God's time is God's time. For us to use the time frame of Creation as a point to prove the existence of our Creator or the accuracy of the Bible, we miss an incredible opportunity: to love one another-- as Christ loved us. We win souls by spreading the love of Christ. Spreading fear may scare a few souls to Christ, but it turns a lot away.

In Matthew 28:16-20, Jesus says to make disciples of others, and teach them to obey what He has commanded. The most important two commandments are love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.

Do people follow judgment? Do they follow fear? They follow love. They follow the other fruits of the Spirit that Vern mentioned. Healing was available to me at Ransomed Heart, and in the boot Camp I attended. I'm not a disciple of John Eldredge. I am a disciple of Christ. John Eldredge's work just facilitated that. Trust me. there is not religiosity and "holier than thou" at Boot Camp. It is real. It is honest. And it is about, unequivocally, GOD.

[David Elliott]

“There is no defense against criticism except obscurity.” – Joseph Addison

Well, you sure ain't walkin' in obscurity, Craig. You're a good man. Courageous. Brave. Saying what's on your heart. I admire that about you. Thanks for setting the pace for us younger men.

Fear of man is one of my albatrosses that I'm learning to die to. I'm tired of the smell.

I'm grateful that Jesus and Paul didn't put up with the crap of the Pharisees. They fought for us--the simple, the children.

Bronco, I doubt you will be reading this blog anymore based on your response above, but if you do, I will not say to you some of the things that Jesus and Paul said to the Pharisees because I do not trust my motives at the moment. God has used the ministry of these men and women to reveal to me his love for me in ways that I had forgotten and not experienced for too long. My "Christian" life consisted of trying to work/minister in order to earn God's love and approval. Through RH, I was reminded of the true message of the gospel.

But, Bronco, I will say this: watch out! Your response to Craig's blog reeks of condemnation and judgment. I know because I have a sinful nature too. I urge you--get off that road and get back on the road of grace and love.

[Craig McConnell]

Bronco,
I receive a wide range of correspondence and phone calls regarding issues related to Ransomed Heart. You rightly presume that it was not you or your letter I was specifically referring to in my blog. In your emails to me you graciously expressed your passionate concern and strong disagreement with me on the issue of the age of the earth. I thought you were notably charitable. I hope I was.
As with most Christian ministries our Statement of Faith/Mission expresses what we, as an organization, unite around and feel important to express to those interested in our Christian beliefs. There are many issues we don’t, as an organization, express a view on, that we, as individuals may feel very strong about. (See my blog entry for link to our Statement)
In your response you misquoted me both in word and spirit. I didn’t say, nor do I believe that many “non-essential” issues are "negotiable and irrelevant things that we can all just disagree on". Creating a straw man to score a point doesn’t do your argument well. What a man or woman must believe to be a Christian is a relatively short list, hence my reference to The Nicene and Apostle’s Creeds. A person’s view of the earth’s age, whether or not women’s heads should be covered in church or their position on illegal immigration is not on that list. Never has been, never will be.
Again, I cheer “on the diligent study of God’s Word and the formation of a Biblical Worldview/theology” that would certainly shape and inform our convictions and passions on all matters of faith, life, morality, politics and practice. It’s the “unloving posture some of us take over issues that are nowhere near the orbit of Christianity’s essential/core beliefs” that was my concern in the blog.
Bronco, thank you for the back and forth. I admire your passion and conviction. Our ministry, my life and this blog site may not have your respect or support. I get that. May you find your niche!
My Holy Week prayer for you and me is that we would more fully and deeply embrace Christ’s death for our sin and freedom, that we would behold the power and life of the resurrection in our own lives, and the we would fight with fury in the name and authority of the ascended Christ all enemies of the beauty, power and truth of the Gospel that has brought us life!
- Craig McConnell

[John Moorhead, MD]

I spent 35 years as a physician, much of it in ICU. I was taught that understanding was essential to healing, so I was obsessed with it. Knowledge is good; obsessing is not. I had no love for my patients other than getting them well for my sake. Consistent with that mindset, I worshipped the Bible, not loving the author, believing that if I tried hard enough, I could understand Him. About ten years ago I gave that up, and looking back, I smile and shake my head at my naivety and arrogance. Now I am walking with God, and though He does give me wonderful insights from time-to-time, I mostly just trust Him with my unanswered questions. Life is a lot easier now.

[Amy]

I know I am coming late to this post but thank you for writing it.

I became a Christian as a teen. I was saved for eternity but it also kept my "head above the water" in this life - in a very difficult family growing up. I am not sure how to express this - I did have a person at that time in my life who truly encouraged knowing God but I also got a lot of "attention" from other people for being on the "right side" of issues. To a teen longing for something, I took it in.

Do not misunderstand, I too believe in knowing the truth of what scripture says on issues and holding that biblical worldview. But knowing them - being able to espouse them - arguing for them - "feeling" you are right in them - does not bring healing - does not restore. It does not because it does not equal a relationship with Christ. That is what I needed then - a relationship with Christ - and what I still need.

Not sure how to say this either but I sit in church now and listen to Christians being praised for being on the "right side" of issues and it hurts to hear. And not because I do not agree with them on the issue but because I know "that" is not enough for me to know Him and I suspect not enough for many others sitting in the same room with me to know Him.

I hope this made sense. I am really "slogging" through all this right now. My husband is in a ministry position and for me to express this publicly would unfortunately immediately label us. It saddens me
Thanks again.

[Richard Hardesty]

I'm wondering what are those few beliefs, The Apostles Creed and the Nicene Creed? These Creeds focus only on belief in God, in Jesus, in the Holy Spirit and the latter speaks of only one church, and one baptism so why are there 38,000 denominations and multiple methods of baptism? The former creed pronounces belief in the holy Catholic Church, with the exception of the Lutheran version which changed the wording to holy Christian church and doesn’t speak to anything which Christ taught regarding entering in at the strait gate to walk the narrow path that leads us back to God. This is why so few will find it because of teachings like the Apostles and Nicene Creeds.

Why are they not the teachings of Christ? Have Faith in Him, Repent of sins, and Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins by those who have the authority to administer as John the Baptist had received it from his father. So the count is three things now, next receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, again by someone who has that authority to administer in God's ordinances, but this time has to have a higher authority than John's as he said, He who comes after me will baptize you with fire. In other words He will have the authority of the Melchizedek Priesthood as Christ had. So last one is, once on the strait and narrow path, stay on it and fight the good fight to win the prize. To me that is 5 things required by Christ to receive his Atoning Sacrifice. Mere belief in the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost is not enough as even the devils believe and tremble. Faith is a combination of belief and works. Just having the seed and not planting it doesn't get you the fruit. Cultivating the soil first gives the seed a good chance to grow, and then there is necessary weeding and watering, if needed, because of the climate. God does the rest until it's time for the harvest. Maybe applying some insecticides or herbicides to keep off unwanted critters would also help. (A personal choice to protect the crop and yield more fruit.) This is my understanding of the word of God. The creeds of men are just that, of men.