The Sword Room

It is one thing to hold strong theological convictions. It is another matter entirely to not know which issues are non-negotiable core essentials. As the old saying goes–in the essentials unity and in the non-essentials charity. We would all doubtless agree that the gospel is non-negotiable, as are doctrines like the deity of Christ, justification by faith, and the inspiration of Scripture. We would also reject beliefs which float on the loony-fringe of the faith, such as numerology, open theism, and name-it-claim it.

Where we run into problems is those areas where true believers with firm convictions differ. For example the time of the rapture relative to the tribulation. I happen to not hold to the dispensational scheme at all, having long-since opted for a preterist amillennial view of eschatology. I do not believe in infant baptism. I do not speak in tongues or hold to the Pentecostal doctrine of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Of course there is the Calvinism-Arminianism debate, and you all know which side of the fence I stand on there.

To be sure I believe my dispensational, Pentecostal, covenantal, and Arminian brothers are sorely mistaken. But to call them heretics would be a real mistake. Heresy is something that historically has gotten you burned at the stake. I gladly fellowship with genuine believers who agree with me on the gospel and what we mutually consider to be the core essentials of the faith. I do not believe things like Arminianism and Calvinism can be resolved into a sort of hybrid Calminianism. Oil and water do not mix, no matter how hard you shake the bottle. But the basis of Christian fellowship is not verbatim agreement on non-essential doctrine. If you believe the gospel and the word of God I will give you the right hand of fellowship any day and twice on Sunday.

Some of you younger studs need to ratchet down your misplaced zeal a couple notches and stop bashing the brethren. Disagree vigorously over an open Bible, but do not label someone as a heretic just because they do not ride the same hobby horse as you. There are already too many morons on youtube spouting idiocy into the webcam from their trailers or studio apartments.

Don’t be one of them.

Behold how good and pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. It is like precious oil upon the head, coming down upon the beard, even Aaron’s beard, coming down upon the edge of his robes. It is like the dew of Hermon, coming down upon the mountains of Zion: For there the Lord commanded His blessing–life forever (Psalm 133).

In this psalm unity among brethren is likened to rare and costly fragrant oil dumped lavishly over the head and running down onto the clothing. Reminds me of that episode in the gospels where the prostitute anointed the Lord’s feet with the costly perfume. The point seems to be that moments of unity are few and far between–so milk them for all they are worth when you can. For the writer of the Psalm (David) unity among brethren was not a surplus item. Most of us would agree that true spiritual unity is a great thing we never seem to get enough of.

Elsewhere I have likened this kind of special fellowship to fresh peaches. Once you have had them, canned peaches taste syrupy and sickeningly sweet. The real flavor of the fruit is barely present. Yesterday I drove down to Seattle to enjoy a relaxed breakfast with an old friend from my first band of brothers. We actually disagree on a few items of theology, but we are in harmony where it counts: We both trust and love the Lord Jesus Christ. You just can’t beat that kind of fellowship. Fellowship, by the way, means sharing together in a common focus, so unity is implied. You really can’t have fellowship without unity.

In His prayer in John 17 Jesus prayed that His followers would be one even as He and the Father were one. But how is this possible? The members of the godhead share in all the same attributes. They are sinless. Not only that–they are in total agreement theologically. How in the world can believers be one in this sense? I can’t see it happening this side of heaven. Personally I have never seen this kind of unity and oneness lived out dynamically in an organized church setting, except for rare snippets in small groups or one-on-one situations like yesterday’s breakfast in Seattle.

One answer would be to focus on the core of our faith–the true essentials. The gospel and the person of Christ. This is what my buddy and I did yesterday. We also agreed, I think, that no matter how much we disagree over peripheral issues, we will not let it impede our fellowship. Again, this is a wonderful thing, but it is difficult to envision it on a grand scale this side of eternity. There are reasons for this belief of mine, mostly rooted in the flawed structure of organized churchianity. That whole theme will need to wait. I could and probably will write an entire book on the subject. In fact I know I will.

For now I will savor those moments, like yesterday in Seattle, or in the Wednesday night Fight Club, where the oil of unity cascades over my bald head and drenches my beard with its pungent aroma.