Dearest P,
I fear that our little church is about to split asunder. For every 10 people there seems to be twenty opinions. Most of our fights are senseless. And a good majority of them are caused by agitators. They continue insisting on their own way of doing things. They take certain doctrines—often not even rising to the status of tertiary doctrine—and make them a litmus test for faithfulness.
What should I do? Should I enter into this controversy? Everybody is asking my opinion. Every group wants me on their side. I know which side I’m on. If I enter into this controversy I believe that I can be of great use to the Lord. Perhaps we can stop the terrible schism among us. Do you have any advice for how to win this argument, let truth reign, and get on with more important matters?
With Love,
T.
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Dearest T,
Here is my advice in a nutshell:
Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness,and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”
Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
With Love,
P
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Dearest P,
Wait, what?!?! Don’t enter into the controversy? Just keep plodding along preaching? We are about to split as a church. I don’t think “patiently enduring evil” is going to help. After all doesn’t truth matter? You seem to hint that theology doesn’t matter as much as unity, patience, and gentleness. This isn’t the time for gentleness. Doesn’t theology matter?
Confused,
T
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My Dearest T,
You are correct that theology matters. It matters a great deal. This is why I am encouraging you to patiently plod along in “rightly handling the word of truth”. In fact it is because theology matters so much that I have counseled you as I have. I am so passionate about the truth of the gospel that I wouldn’t have it dragged through the mud by the spiritual immaturity of the one proclaiming the truth. Entering into foolish quarrels and controversies is the way of the hot-headed and insecure. It only breeds more quarrels. The way of our blessed Christ is a path with gentleness and meekness. Consider my ways with the Corinthians (2 Corinthians 10:1). I erred—if indeed I erred—so much on the side of patience and gentleness that they accused me of being a weakling.
If you really care about truth and theology—as I believe you do—you will adorn such doctrines with your life. That is my counsel. Theology is so important that it ought not stand alone. Give it your life as well as your lips. That’ll transform your church.
With love and patience,
P
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