Over the past few months, I have witnessed a spate of curious memes on the pages of theological groups I am a part of on social media; perhaps you’ve seen them, too. The memes to which I refer are the ones that give headshots of various theologians, amongst which are numbered but unoccupied squares meant to represent seats on a commercial airliner. In short, the text accompanying the meme asks you, the viewer, with whom you’d prefer to sit.
Many theological group members are pastors, wannabe pastors, or at least serious disciples active in local church life and ministry. Admittedly, the group is of a particular theological stripe, and its members thus share many doctrinal understandings and commitments in common. In such groups, it’s easy to run afoul of the group’s ethos and to be derided or seriously questioned for anything that is deemed—by someone—to diverge from that ethos (Such is social media!). Fair enough. But sometimes, this derision is so uncharitable that I scratch my head and wonder if those who deride others are truly God’s children, for their venom is potent.
Certainly, there’s a place for a prophetic voice that proclaims and defends biblical truth. Still, I always find it curious when a relatively young believer—sure they’ve figured everything out correctly—“reads the riot act” to a seasoned saint. Their fervor is commendable, but often, their criticisms are based on little or no information about the older saint. Sometimes, they take issue with how a word is used, unaware of the semantic range of that word, the historical context in which the word was first used, or how a theological term or concept has developed over time. But I digress. My concern is the attitude… Is there a charitable approach to those who have even an informed but different understanding of a term or concept? Back to the meme before I go on.
What I have noticed is this: apart from the humorous responses that are almost always appreciated, most folks who respond to the meme by identifying their preferred seating companion(s) are obviously choosing the preachers, pastors, or theologians with whom they resonate most closely. That is, they choose theological heroes with whom they agree doctrinally or, at least, those whose “sound bites” are in line with their own. The responders may or may not have studied the life and ministry of their chosen seatmates, but—from what they’ve seen—such and such person aligns with their own understanding of doctrinal categories. I get this…I truly do. There are all sorts of theological luminaries in whose light I would delight to bask, up close and personal. But there’s the rub.
Do I steer clear of all whose theological positions I have deemed specious, or simply a bit off the mark? Here I am not referring to truly heretical positions, but secondary and tertiary doctrines about which believers have disagreed for centuries (e.g., eschatology).
Consider the three (four, or five) views on ________________ books like Five Views on Sanctification. These books are wonderful resources for the Church, especially the ones that not only allow each participating scholar to present his or her position, but also give space to responses or rebuttals from the other participants. What a winsome, even-handed approach. Why don’t we gravitate toward such books?
For many years I served abroad in Ankara, Türkiye. One of the greatest turns of phrase that I learned there was this: “Bildiğini okur.” The literal translation is “S/he reads what s/he knows.” In other words, a person just reads material that agrees with his or her own understanding. As someone who has been a disciple of Jesus for over 45 years, let me encourage you to be in conversation with those with whom you differ, and not just to convince them that they’re wrong. You may have settled convictions about many doctrines, but if you are not open to the possibility that your positions could be refined, maybe, just maybe, you’re not really on the side of truth (cf. John 18:37).
Don’t just read the works of George Whitefield but also his long-time friend and conversation partner, John Wesley. These men corresponded affectionately for years, always striving to help the other understand a better way of approaching a theological subject (although it did get contentious at times). Read them both. You may agree with George most or all of the time, but I sincerely doubt that you won’t gain new perspectives from John. If you are mature in Christ and less subject to being deceived by erroneous doctrinal flotsam, why not choose to sit next to the theologian with whom you differ? Reject the echo chamber!
My plea is given with due regard for unchanging biblical truth and with a high view of Scripture. Elsewhere on this site I have encouraged readers to share fences rather than build walls. Look for and focus on common ground, yes, but especially come to understand not only the core doctrines (dogmas) of the Christian faith, but also to the sometimes nuanced differences that distinguish one Christian denomination from another. Give no quarter to error, especially in regard to immutable elements of the Gospel, but realize that your own understanding of some point of doctrine developed over time, in a context or contexts that another Christian may not have shared.
We’re all in process, and will—when gathered around the throne of the Lamb (e.g., Revelation 7:9-12)—be amazed by how many things we got wrong. Be encouraged by the words from the apostle John: “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2).
Remember, if you have trusted Christ as Savior, you have been saved from the penalty of sin (justification), you are being saved from the power of sin (sanctification), and you will be saved from the very presence of sin (glorification). Salvation is a process, not a moment, even though we tend to equate salvation with justification in our speech and writing. Embrace the process but, more importantly, cling to Christ, by grace. Without Him, you can do nothing of lasting value (John 15:5). He delights to bear fruit in and through you, for your own ultimate good and for His eternal glory.
Hallelujah, what a Savior!
Steve and his wife of almost 40 years, Dana, are members of Worthy Redeemer Church in Huntsville, Alabama where Steve serves as an elder. They served cross-culturally in Ankara, Turkey for 23 years; roughly half of his ministry time there was in church planting and the other half in adult theological education and resource production. Ever the student, Steve has three degrees in geology, one in intercultural studies, one in theology, and one in educational leadership. As his day job, he currently teaches Earth Science at Randolph School in Huntsville.
