I have been thinking through a lot of questions lately. Are we no longer a society that can agree to disagree? Can we respect a person without agreeing with all they believe? Can the Christian community discuss the works of people whose theology differs from us? Can we endorse the conversation without compromising our position? How many issues within the Christian faith are truly salvation issues? Therefore, can we invite opposing viewpoints to the table without questioning each other’s salvation?
The Christian life for me is summed up in justification, sanctification, and glorification. The first and last are but moments. The first takes us from death into life; the last takes us from life into death. Sure, there is much that leads up to the moment when we surrender our lives to Christ, and there is an eternity that follows our finally being perfected. Yet looking at our life here on earth, the vast majority of our Christian life is found in the sanctification.
Sanctification is the Christian walk. Therefore, it seems to me that discussing our spiritual journeys seems like it would be of value to our personal growth. If iron sharpens iron, are we engaging in discussion, reading opposing viewpoints, and speaking openly of our doubts, questions, and struggles? How else do we move forward if not the one foot stepping forward followed by the opposite foot making its response? If only one side is moving, then we can only go as far as our legs can stretch.
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Proverbs 27:17
How do we grow if we read or learn only about our side of a debate or issue? If we only read news bent towards our political stance than we are most likely failing to see the broader and dare even say, truthful point of view. This is just as true with faith. Unfortunately, it seems that many Christians are content to be one-sided in both their faith and politics. That is a great loss for the Christian community.
I’m not suggesting that we should surround ourselves with people and literature that will lead us into sin or temptation, but can we make a concerted effort to read a book by an author who we don’t fully agree with, and trust our intellect and the Holy Spirit that resides within us to discern the good and bad points. Then, let’s not stop there. Let’s find others from various backgrounds to read and discuss the book’s viewpoints in order to more fully understand that various sides of an issue. Can we love an author for 75% of what they say without calling them an unsaved heretic for the 25% with which we disagree? Can we gather across lines of gender, race, politics, economics, and faith backgrounds to have open discussion about the way we should be living as Christians in this world?
My commitment to the journey is to stretch myself to grow by seeking out various viewpoints and engaging in conversation regarding those views. I know my tendency is to read books that reinforce my views but to only occasionally read an article that disagrees. I need to be more balanced. I want to be part of the conversation not just a critic of my opposition. I hope you’ll join me.
My first foray into this decision will be the incredibly long Rediscovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood (redesign): A Response to Evangelical Feminism by John Piper and Wayne Grudem. I am a fairly strong egalitarian and the original version of this book topped the list of books in support of the complementation perspective. As much as I hated to spend money on this, it wasn’t available at the library. So if you are interested in joining me for a discussion on this topic, shoot me a message and we’ll try to set up a coffee dates.