Faith and Disagreement

We live in a very contentious age. There is almost an addictive quality to it.  Sometimes people seem more drawn to controversy and being right, than to finding joy in life and developing meaningful relationships. The Church is not immune to this. In fact, we often mirror this culture. We have disagreements over politics, social issues, economics, etc.  Then we add Bible passages to support or defend our various perspectives. Sometimes we Christians become so entrenched in our opinions that we live defensively--as if our mission is to guard our positions.  Even worse, we justify rude and destructive behavior, all in the name of being right.  It weakens our ability to build lasting relationships with people and it slowly erodes our discipleship. 

In light of this, here is a basic truth I live by: no matter how right I think I am, how

I disagree will be a reflection of my faith. Do I disagree with the heart and grace of Jesus? Do I take time to consider differing points of view? Do I refrain from judging before I understand? Above all, do I disagree with the commitment to “do no harm”? Jesus once said the one who can learn to love (not convince, disprove, or even defeat) the enemy/opponent shall be called a child of God (Matthew 5:43-48).  Does the way that I disagree show more, or less, of God’s love?

At the core of discipleship, we are united not by agreement on divisive issues, but rather by the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ. This allows us to treat those we disagree with very generously. When we become obsessively focused on social disagreements it tears down our witness to God’s grace. Our common call as Christians is not to be doctrinal police officers, but ambassadors for God’s radical ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). Anything that takes us away from that mission works against our calling. True Christian character is not right opinion, it is love in action.

Jesus himself said the criteria for eternal life is simply loving God and loving neighbor (Luke 10:25-28), not having all the right opinions. Maybe that is what led John Wesley, the founder of our Methodist Movement, to say in his pamphlet, The Character of a Methodist in the 1700’s, “… as to all opinions that do not strike at the root of Christianity, we think and let think.” In the end, faith and disagreement may be more closely connected than we think. Conflict will reveal the character of our souls and the nature of our faith. It will ask us to become more like Jesus, or less like him.  Which do you choose? 

Together, we are the hands and the feet of Jesus,

Brett