A quick scan of Twitter is proof enough that preserving Christian unity among a diversity of opinions is a serious challenge. Whole accounts and websites are established to taking down the "enemy" across the screen—and that's just in our Twitter niche. We throw around the word "heresy" and question people's commitment to Christ so casually. Whether on social media or in person, these discussions can drive us away from one another—and at their worst, away from the truth itself.
Personal conviction and church autonomy have long been distinctives defining who we are as Baptists. That means each church is going to have its own flavor and make it's own decisions. And that's a good thing! Much like the mouth-watering blend of foods found in Houston, we can build something better together because we are different. When we're unified by the truth of the gospel, our different perspectives and approaches can help us innovate well.
But how different is too different? Does unity in the church have to come at the cost of orthodoxy?
Not if we do it right.
Some Divisions Matter
When it comes unity within the church and church collaboration, our worship style, generational differences, race, political leanings, culture, and third-tier doctrines should not keep us from advancing the gospel together.
“Our worship style, generation, race, politics, culture, and third-tier doctrine shouldn’t keep us from advancing the gospel together.
What matters is the message of Scripture itself.”
What does matter, however, is the message of Scripture itself. How can we possibly advance a gospel we don't agree on? So, false teachings are real, and the Bible doesn't mince words about how we should respond. Just take 5 minutes to read Jude. It's only one chapter, and I'll be here waiting when you're done...
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I’m serious, go. I'll wait.
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As you can see, differences regarding the necessary life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus are non-negotiable. But as intense as Jude is about false teaching, he also exhorts:
Have mercy on those who waver; save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.
Jude 1:21-23
Some things are worth addressing swiftly and decisively with disregard for the possible backlash. However, there are lots of opinions and preferences about which we can amicably disagree while holding to the larger unity within the body of Christ.
As Christians, we must find a middle ground between a total disregard for truth and an unhealthy suspicion of anything that seems "other." I’m mostly focusing on the latter here.
The Dangers of Divisiveness
We need to proceed with caution regarding those differences that really aren't important. As one whose heart beats for evangelism and discipleship as much as theological clarity, the all-or-nothing landscape we find ourselves in concerns me for several reasons:
1. We're impeding good collaboration.
These days, Christians—from pulpit to pew—are having to ask hard questions about worship practices that were once obvious. Should my church building be open? How many people should I let in my house for Bible study? How should I lead others to act in light of the mission of God and the need of the times? It's complicated!
These decisions should not be made alone. We're #BetterTogether, and that means we should take time to learn from one another. If your friend has an idea about worship that you think is foolish, be willing to have a good discussion about their pros, cons, and rationale. Collaborate for the benefit of those you lead as well as those who they may be leading. Church leaders need extra prayers and support as we consider how to love our neighbors and congregations well.
2. We're alienating those with questions.
Often, there are those figuring out their faith by asking questions and getting things wrong along the way. Take any number of celebrity conversions as an example. Do I know if Kanye West is a true Christian? No. Should I take his every inaccurate statement or action and use it as proof against his genuine belief? Probably not that, either.
When we write off everyone who is asking questions as dangerous, we might also be estranging someone who is seeking the truth. Who else do they have to turn to if we don’t engage them? I know several Jehovah's Witnesses who would jump at the opportunity to listen and address their questions.
We should educate people and hold to sound theology, but we shouldn’t miss an evangelical opportunity because of the way we fight suspect ideas. Instead, we should allow seekers and believers alike to ask hard questions in a safe environment and constantly point them to biblical truth.
3. We're missing opportunities for discipleship.
When I committed my life to Christ, it was in my bedroom, praying alongside a certain televangelist with all kinds of wacky ideas. In time, I gathered many wacky ideas of my own. I'm so thankful for the people in my church who were willing to walk alongside me, listen to me, and challenge me to find the actual truth in God's Word.
“Our first response to questionable and even downright flawed ideas and practices should be discipleship, not divorce. ”
Instead of smearing the person in your church who doesn't share one of your hard-researched ideas, consider it an opportunity for dialogue and/or discipleship. Have the humility to listen to their convictions and respond with your own. Our first response to questionable and even downright flawed ideas and practices should be discipleship, not divorce. That's what leaders do.
Christianity is not so weak as to be in danger from some hard questions. This is what apologetics is all about. At the end of the day, we must have faith, but it's also ok to have healthy dialogue in the gray areas without estranging our friends too quickly.
4. We're discrediting ourselves before a watching world.
Unfortunately, a lot of these conversations have happened over social media before God and whoever feels like scrolling by. Instead of being known by our love, we’re becoming known for divisiveness. And the world watches as we devour one another. If we're not careful, we very well may find ourselves arguing about how many angels can dance on the head of a pin while a world dies without Christ.
Instead, we should use social media as a place for hospitality, to encourage productive conversations instead of constantly preparing for the holy mic drop. Engage people with truth and love. A fun theological discussion about things we won't know this side of eternity shouldn't be more important than the present spiritual needs of those listening.
5. We're missing the opportunity for better praise.
To this point, I’ve mostly been talking about the challenge of navigating differences of worship preference or third-tier doctrinal beliefs. However, I also want to acknowledge that some also have a hard time finding common ground with others who are culturally or physically different. If the goal is to make all the world's churches completely homogenous (whether in exact perspective or physique), those churches are going to be very bland—and not look very much like Heaven.
Revelation 7 tells us that people from every nation, tribe, people, and language will be in Heaven worshiping Jesus around the throne. In the New Jerusalem as described in Revelation 21, it gets even better; God Himself will live with us. He'll take away all the sadness, strife, and pain we have known. His Church will be presented in all her renewed glory, and everything will culminate in splendid worship.
One of my favorite details that often gets lost in the fray is found in Revelation 21:24-27:
The nations will walk by [the glory of God’s] light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. 25 [the City’s] gates will never close by day because it will never be night there. 26 They will bring the glory and honor of the nations into it. 27 Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those written in the Lamb’s book of life.
The redeemed people of the nations will bring their glory, the best of each culture—without spot or blemish—to worship our God. So, I imagine equatorial mangos, Brazilian dancing, Zambian choirs, Russian ballet, West African drumming, Tex-Mex, and the bizarre perfection of kolaches made by Indian-Americans in Houston all brought before the throne of God as worship. Try not to smile at the thought of that.
That’s what we have to look forward to as we’re advancing the gospel into the darkness and differences around us—a smorgasbord of worship to delight our Father and bring joy to ourselves.
Now to him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of his glory, without blemish and with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen.
Jude 1:24-25
Marie Burrus is UBA's Communications Specialist. She manages, edits, and contributes content for UBA's blog, website, and social media outlets. Marie uses her Master's degree in Intercultural Studies and experience as a missionary in Burkina Faso to write on missions, outreach, culture, and the Christian life.