Agreement
“‘That is why we said, “Let us get ready and build an altar—but not for burnt offerings or sacrifices.” On the contrary, it is to be a witness between us and you and the generations that follow, that we will worship the LORD at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices and fellowship offerings. Then in the future your descendants will not be able to say to ours, “You have no share in the LORD.”‘”
Today’s Text: Joshua 22:21-34 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
Right after the distribution of the inheritance of the land, the Israelites found cause for division. We see that tendency in the church today, as well. In a world that has been broken and corrupted by sin, there are a million and one reasons for division in the church. And so the Israelites actually give us a positive model of how to resolve disagreements that might cause division.
First, the tribes on the east of the Jordan took it upon themselves to build a monument that looked like an altar to the LORD. They did this to remind the rest of the tribes that they all worship the same LORD. Their intent was good, but misunderstanding arose because they did not communicate their intent and made the decision unilaterally. I’ve learned over and over again (sadly) that good intentions without good communication will often lead to conflict.
Second, the cause for division came out of a concern to obey the word of God. And that is good. Many church leaders today are not so much concerned about obedience to the word of God as they are interpretation of the word of God. That is why there are so many denominations today. Each denomination has a different understanding of how to interpret the word of God. Those different interpretations lead to different traditions of faith, like the Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, etc. And even within those traditions, there is a spectrum of traditions based on how the word of God is interpreted.
The one point that all evangelical churches (like us) agree upon is faith that is rooted in Jesus Christ, and Him crucified for all of our sins, resurrected for the promise of eternal life, and returning so that might order our lives for His return.
Even then there are disagreements. The group of Christians who are labeled “Reformed” emphasize the theology of salvation in the Scriptures (soteriology). There is another broad category called “Armenians” who emphasize human free will. And then there is everything in between, which have no label, per se.
I consider myself leaning more toward the “Reformed” camp, with some important differences. My emphasis tends to be more on the theology of humanity and the theology of the church (anthropology and ecclesiology). And the reason for that (yes, there’s a reason) is because the Bible is a rhetorical book more than it is a theological book.
What that means is expressed in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In other words, the Bible is given to us to inspire and motivate and change our behaviors. Obviously, our actions are based on our thinking (theology), but what matters in the end are our behaviors (rhetoric).
Ultimately, soteriology has everything to do with what God has done in Christ Jesus to save us. Of course. And there is nothing that any of us can do to change God’s great plan of salvation for the world in Christ Jesus. Nothing. And that is why the Reformed camp tends to emphasize the sovereignty of God and predestination.
On the other hand, anthropology and ecclesiology has more to do with our human response to God’s soteriology. Oswald Chambers said something like, God will not do what we can (anthropology and ecclesiology); He will only do what we cannot (soteriology).
You see, our walk of faith involves both. And so we should acknowledge what we have no control over (soteriology) and act on what we do have control over (anthropology and ecclesiology).
I would never in my life presume to convince anyone to stop attending a church that preaches Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, resurrected, and returning—even if they were a hard line Reformed church.
However, I often find the hard line Reformers teaching that anything outside of their way of interpreting the Bible is borderline heretical, even if they do not use that word.
I have to accept some responsibility in this conflict that may cause division too. Just by talking about this, I am potentially causing division. However, as with the Israelites, it is better to talk about the differences and find common ground, rather than to just insist that my interpretation of the Bible is right.
Father, Your way is the only way that is right. We have only a glimpse of Your way through Your word, and even then, we only see in part. Forgive us for making mountains out of mole hills. Let Your church agree on what unites us and stop focusing on those things that divide. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
