Arguing Over Doctrine
Some thoughts I posted elsewhere regarding arguing over doctrine among Christians:
I think the weariness expressed in the quoted statement, People are going to hell while you sit here and discuss meaningless doctrines, is pretty valid. How does sitting around getting upset at each other over [doctrine] help our witness?
Not to say [doctrine] is meaningless; however I find it pretty embarrassing to see people get upset over doctrine when they could instead be using it to spread the Gospel.
When do we simply say, "Look here, this is what I believe, and I believe it is what the Bible teaches, and by God, I'm gonna preach his Gospel whether you like it or not" and leave it at that?
If we're being misrepresented and mocked (whichever our position) then further debate is certainly justified, but doesn't there come a point when one just has to say, "Enough is enough, grow up or shut up, and let me freakin' preach the Word?"
Do you have any thoughts on this?
posted by Stephen Newell at 3/28/2006 01:49:00 PM
4 Comments:
When is it right to "argue" over doctrine?
I like theology and the study of doctrine as much as the next seminarian, but you have to keep it in perspective. Theology and doctrine are essentially a big game we play to justify the money spend on our M.Div's. It's what makes like as a Christian interesting.
I think that it is one thing to argue about doctrine when it is being attacked by an unbeliever or a heretic; however it is an entirely different thing when one's opponent is a fellow believer.
Shouldn't doctrine be discussed with an attitude of love and respect for the other's position, and especially with a goal of personal edification as well as the edification and exhortation of the other?
Many of these doctrinal "fights" resemble hardcore steel cage wrasslin' matches, and I find such things in Christian circles embarrassing.
I'm going to take that in the spirit intended, as there are only two such conversations in which I have been involved. The only other instance was one in which I was misrepresented, much like in your comment here.
If you want people who like to argue, go look at any blog that heavily discussed Calvinism or Arminianism. Look at Boar's Head Tavern and IMonk, or BaptistFire, or some other silly place like that. You won't ever find such nonsense here at the Holocron.
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