Christians disagree a lot, sometimes about the craziest things, and Christians have been disagreeing with each other since the very beginning. It goes all the way back to the days of the New Testament. When you read Romans and I Corinthians, you discover that Christians were disagreeing on things like eating meat offered to idols, on whether or not to observe the Sabbath Day, on whether to eat meat or be a vegetarian. Paul and Barnabas had some words about John Mark going on the second missionary journey. Paul said, “No way!” While Barnabas said, “Give him another chance.” (Acts 15:36-41)
And in the centuries since then…you can summarize the situation by saying that Christians have disagreed on every possible point on which you can disagree…and still be a Christian. No matter what issue comes to mind…if you look around the world you’ll probably find some Christian, somewhere, who disagrees (or at least has a better idea).
If you’ve been around the church very long, you know that people disagree about some things. Here’s just a few:
The movies: Should we go or not?
Watching TV…at all
Eating at a restaurant on Sunday
Eating at a restaurant that serves alcohol
King James Version only
Women wearing pants to service instead of dresses
Biblically divorced men serving as deacons/elders
Tobacco
Cooking with wine (means it has to be in your house)
Long hair on men
Short hair on women
Women working outside the home
Birth control
Should we let our kids go to the Grand March at prom?
Christian schools versus public schools
Sex education
Rush Limbaugh
Halloween
Christians in politics, how far should we go?
Two observations: 1). All of those are genuine issues about which there is genuine heart-felt disagreement in the body of Christ…somewhere. 2). As you read the different items, you probably said to yourself, “Well, that’s silly…I can’t believe anyone worries about that…there’s nothing wrong with (fill-in-the-blank)” And this type of mindset can quickly lead to some heated emotions.
In Acts 15:39 we see that Paul and Barnabas had a “sharp” disagreement. The original word means “violent, hostile, angry, or harsh.” Barnabas knew he was right. Paul knew he was right. So, who was right? The Bible doesn’t say. It was unresolved because Paul took Silas on his journey…and Barnabas took John Mark and sailed west. They “parted asunder” (Acts 15:39)
It’s not a sin to disagree on whether or not to eat at a restaurant on Sunday, or if we should go to the movies, or if you let your kids go to the Grand March. So, who’s right? The Bible never tells us if Paul or Barnabas was right in their conclusion, but they were still fellow workers in the faith (II Timothy 4:11). That’s the point. “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) Only one thing is not okay: Allowing the bitterness of disagreement to be seen over love. No matter how much or how deeply or how passionately we may disagree on things of opinion, we must still show love for one another.
Oh me, Josh. Come here....I'll give you a big ole hug!! ;-)
ReplyDeletenot after i gave you that HGH...
ReplyDelete"The Bible never tells us if Paul or Barnabas was right in their conclusion, but they were still fellow workers in the faith."
ReplyDeleteJessica and I were talking about Romans 14 last night, and specifically came back to Romans 14:22 (which you pointed out in one of your tobacco blogs.) Shouldn't we, as Christians, follow and adhere to what the Bible specifically says is wrong, and for the rest of it keep Romans 14:22 in mind?
"Barnabas knew he was right. Paul knew he was right. So, who was right?"
The message I get is to remember we all have solidarity in the body of Christ, and we should do our best to maintain that equilibrium. Right or wrong, Paul's letter to the Romans came after the events in Acts 15:39, right? So, I see the wisdom of Paul's experience there coming out in Romans 14:22.
What do you think, Preachrman?
"shouldn't we as Christians follow and adhere to what the Bible specifically says is wrong, and for the rest keep Romans 14:22 in mind."
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. there are going to be matters of opinion that will be disputed, but when God says, "Thou shalt not..." then there's no room for an opinion.
as for Paul, later in life he saw John Mark as a vital member of his ministry team. Mark was even with Paul when he wrote Colossians (4:10). guess you can call that a change of heart and mind. good observation about unity. thanks for your comments barry (and jessica).