Disputes, and Doctrinal Differences

If I’m being painfully honest, my apologetics need some work. Not for lack of knowledge.. Lord knows, I’ve filled my head with plenty of evidence and arguments and information.. but what is the spirit of my apologetics? Am I running headlong to defend the gospel, or to defend myself? Am I striving to show Christ, or show off? Am I trying to win hearts, or win debates?

“With all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love, be eager to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2-3) Humility, meekness, and patience. Is that what defines my apologetics? Is love and unity really the goal I have in mind, or is it strength and victory?

Personally, I love theology. I love doctrine, and I love church history. I wasn’t born into a religious affiliation, so I have no long-standing loyalty to one tradition or another. I claim a specific denomination because, at the end of the day I believe that denomination is the closest to biblical truth. And honestly, I’ve been pretty hardnosed about that in the past. But recently, God has been softening my heart in this area; revealing to me the vast wealth of teachers and preachers who situate themselves outside of my particular ‘camp.’ This has been a season of growth and maturity for me.. but I’d be lying if I said it was easy. Many frustrated prayers have left my lips ..but God is patient with me.

Sometimes I feel like the disciples, crying out: “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in Your name and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us!” ..and then I hear our Lord whisper to my heart “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against you is for you.” (Luke 9:49-50)

In the 13^th chapter of Matthew’s gospel, Jesus tells His disciples a handful of parables that really demonstrates this to me. At first He explains the Parable of the Sower (also told in Luke 8 and Mark 4) and I immediately notice how we are called to sow the seed without judging the soil. Christ explains the 4 different types of ground are symbolic for the 4 different ways the Word can be received. Some seed falls by the wayside, some falls on rocky ground, some falls on thorny ground, and some falls on fertile ground. What struck me is, Jesus never instructs His disciples to determine the ground type before sowing the seed.. He simply tells them to sow, and reap whatever gets produced. This was a simple but profound realization for me. He never instructs them to toil on the rocky and thorny ground to make it fertile, He never instructs them to run back to the seed that fell by the wayside and pick it back up or chase the birds off ..He only calls us to faithfully sow the seed, which is the Word of God (Luke 8:11) Sometimes we plant, sometimes we water.. but it’s God who gives the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6)

And then Jesus told the disciples another parable, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away.” So we have another agrarian metaphor, but this time the Enemy is sowing seeds of his own. Christ explains “when the shoots had sprung up and produced fruit, the weeds also appeared.” (Matthew 13:24-26) I’m not much of a green thumb, but this sounds like the garden I’d end up with.. unfruitful weeds scattered throughout. What makes it even worse is, it seems almost impossible to discern between the two types of plants while they’re growing. But Jesus uses this story to describe the ongoing spiritual battle that we are participating in.

I’m no gardener; but in my zeal I’m much like the servants of the parable who ask “Will you then have us go and gather them up?” ..but Jesus’ response is what really shocks me; because he just says “No… let both grow together until the time of the harvest.” (Matthew 13:29,30) Let both grow together?! Jesus, you’ve gotta be kidding me! Surely, you want me to trample around your garden and rip up anything I see that resembles a weed, right?? Isn’t that my job?!

It reminds me of when James and John ask Jesus if they should “call down fire from heaven;” and the Lord rebukes them and says “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of.” (Luke 9:55)

And again, I wonder: what is the spirit of my apologetics??

Yes, our mission is the “defense and confirmation of the gospel” (Philippians 1:7) but how do we go about doing that? If we honestly study the New Testament, we’ll see a balance must be found. Our answers are to be “seasoned with salt,” ofcourse; but also “always with grace” (Colossians 4:6) We are commanded to “contend for the faith” (Jude 1:3) and “hold firm” our trustworthy teaching, so we can “exhort” and “convince” those who “oppose our sound doctrine” (Titus 1:9) We should “always be ready to give an answer” ..but not to win the argument or make ourselves look smart. We do it to show others the hope we have, “with gentleness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)

That word “answer” there is the Greek word “apologia;” and it doesn’t mean saying “I’m sorry” ..it refers to a well-thought-out legal or logical argument to defend one’s actions or beliefs. This is where we get the term apologetics. It’s the same Greek word that Paul uses when he talks about “defending the gospel” (Philippians 1:7, and 1:17)

But again, I wonder.. what is the spirit of my apologetics??

“Embrace a spirit of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, and longsuffering. Bear with one another and forgive one another. If anyone has a quarrel against anyone, even as Christ forgave you, so you must do. And above all these things, embrace love, which is the bond of perfection. Let the peace of God, to which also you are called in one body, rule in your hearts.” (Colossians 3:12-15) “Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Do not pretend to be wiser than you are.” (Romans 12:16) “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Do all things without murmuring and disputing” (Philippians 2:3,14)

As I grow and mature in my faith, I’m learning to step back and choose my battles wisely. When I first got saved, I was full of piss and vinegar. Zealous. I thought it was my personal responsibility to go out there and right every wrong, fix every church, crush every heresy and curse every heretic.. but now I’m realizing how much more can be actually accomplished with love. Right before Peter tells us to always have an apologia, he first says “have unity, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8)

A tender heart and a humble mind is the prerequisite for effective apologetics.

“May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Romans 15:5-6) “Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2 Corinthians 13:11) We serve the God of encouragement. The God of love. We glorify Him with harmony and comfort; not with piss and vinegar.

“I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. So that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” (1 Corinthians 1:10, 12:25-26)

I’m not preaching ecumenicalism, but I’m trying to find balance between our denominational distinctions and Christian unity. There are certainly some theological divides that need to be clear; but I’m speaking about Christian groups that share the same gospel and faith in Jesus Christ. I’m not suggesting we dilute core theological truths, or sacrifice doctrinal integrity for the sake of social or political unity.. I’m talking about John 17:21, where Jesus prays that his followers “may all be one.”

One single body, in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12, Romans 12:4-8) “There is one body and one Spirit, even as you were called in one hope of your calling, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” (Ephesians 4:4-6) “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)

I want all men to know that I am a disciple of Christ.

“Welcome him who is weak in faith, but not for the purpose of arguing over opinions.” Paul goes on to give us an extremely practical example from his day, arguing over dietary restrictions. “For one has faith to eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. Do not let him who eats despise him who does not eat, and do not let him who does not eat judge him who eats, for God has welcomed him.” Paul is saying, sure the vegans might be weak but leave ‘em alone (clearly thats a joke, but really) “Who are you to judge another man’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Paul makes it clear that we should be welcoming to people who have a difference of opinion on secondary matters; because ultimately, they will answer to God, not us. “Let each one be fully persuaded in his own mind.” (Romans 14:1-5) This is one of those verses that’s extremely practical and simple to understand, but embarrassingly difficult to live out. Because in our flesh, even if it’s a secondary issue; we want to be ‘right.’

Paul instructs us to “avoid foolish and unlearned debates, knowing that they create strife. The servant of the Lord must not quarrel, but must be gentle toward all people, able to teach, patient, in gentleness instructing those in opposition. Perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth, and they may escape from the snare of the devil” (2 Timothy 2:23-26) So why should we “avoid foolish debates?” ..because “perhaps God will grant them repentance to know the truth.” Titus 3:9 echoes this; “avoid foolish debates, genealogies, contentions, and arguments about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.” I don’t know about you, but I’ve been stuck in plenty of foolish debates and contentions and I can tell you, without a doubt, they were unprofitable and useless. But it’s interesting to note that Paul goes on to write “Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” (Titus 3:10-11) So there’s clearly a balance to find here, between avoiding foolish contentions and rejecting condemning divisions.

The apostle Paul writes; “I urge you, brothers, to closely watch those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the teaching which you have learned, and avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own appetites, and through smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting.” (Romans 16:17-18) Again we see the language of avoiding those who cause division. He takes it a step further when writing to the church is Galatia; “there are some who trouble you and would pervert the gospel of Christ. Although if we or an angel from heaven preach any other gospel to you than the one we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so I say now again: If anyone preaches any other gospel to you than the one you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:6-9)

And for anybody who would just accuse Paul of being a little short-tempered, the beloved John shares the same sentiment: “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house, nor greet him. For whoever greets him takes part in his evil deeds.” (2 John 10-11)

Theres a distinction here to be made between false teaching, and false teachers. A well-intended follower of Christ could get unknowingly mixed up in some wrong doctrine; and that’s when it’s our place to (lovingly) share with them the truth. But a false prophet who persistently rejects the truth, and insists on spreading falsities among the church, that person is to be refused.

“Anyone who teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, to the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to godly doctrine is conceited and knows nothing. He has a morbid disposition for controversy and verbal disputes, from which come envy, strife, blasphemies, evil speculations, constant disputes by men of corrupt minds, being destitute of the truth, and supposing that financial gain is godliness. Withdraw yourself from such men.” (1 Timothy 6:3-5) “Men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, ³ without natural affection, trucebreakers, slanderers, unrestrained, fierce, despisers of those who are good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. Turn away from such people.” (2 Timothy 3:2-5)

Turn away from such people and, withdraw yourself from such men. Those are strong words; but notice how that doesn’t look like endless arguments and debates in public. That doesn’t seem like venomous shouting matches at the dinner table. That doesn’t sound like passive-aggressive pettiness in comment sections. Our apologetics can undoubtedly be strong, but we should always “speak the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) with the ultimate goal being restoration “in the spirit of meekness” (Galatians 6:1) So, what is the spirit of my apologetics?? Am I able to reprove and rebuke “in all patience” as commanded? (2 Timothy 4:2)

Disputes and doctrinal differences will not disappear this side of eternity. “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; but then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12) My prayer is that God continues to soften my heart to those around me; those who are genuine brothers and sisters in Christ, but maybe they see some secondary things differently than I do. I pray that I would strive for unity among the brethren, that I would love the church as Christ does, and that I would make every effort to see from other’s perspectives.

In a church culture that is hyperfixated on “being right” all the time, this isn’t easy. It won’t be. But by God’s grace, we can walk in the Spirit, learn to love our enemies, and love our neighbors as ourselves.

So what is the spirit of my apologetics?? I’d love to tell you, a tender heart and a humble mind. But when we find ourselves in disputes and doctrinal differences, that’s when the truth comes out ..and I’m learning, I’ve still got a lot to learn.