Debating Doctrine

One of the things that I have heard more than once is this, "If you just stopped debating these things, we would have less conflict in the Brotherhood." Indeed, some things we should not debate. However, we need to also realize that there are also things we need to know and stand firm upon. There are those things that we cannot debate without destroying Christianity, but there are those points that we as Christians can disagree upon without changing our core belief systems.

So where do we draw the line? Well, part of that is answered with where we stand in our fellowship with God and the local Church. Those who are in authority in the Church will indeed have to take a more firm stand on some doctrines than the lay members. I know great Christians that never have even heard of Soteriology or Eschatology, yet are warriors for God. There are those who do not know of John Edwards, TULIP, Martin Luther, Jan Hus, or the Moravian Church are often the strongest Christians one will meet. Do we all need to have this knowledge? No. (see this post for more details on this subject) So who does? Those who are leaders do indeed need to have a knowledgable understanding of Theology in order to lead.

So where does that leave us with debate? Is it ever right? I do believe so, under the correct circumstances, with the correct people, and doctrines that can be used to build up the Church. So what are the parameters for debate? Lets start with those whom it is not advisable to debate with or in front of.

I. The Non-Christian We should not debate complex doctrine in front of a non-Christian. To do so shows division in Christ's body. We need to be unified in our ministry to the world. This does not mean we cannot reason with a non-Christian. Even God reasons with us as people (Is. 1:18)

II. The Carnal Christian We should not debate doctrine with a carnal brother. To do so is usually just a way to justify whatever state they are currently living in. They do not want to understand God better; they want to live in wanton sin. We need to be firm on the concept of being sanctified with such a person and not debate other topics with them.

III. The New Converts If a person is new to the Christian faith we do not need to burden them with Theology that will trouble or confuse them. We need to let them grow into it first. Let them start on milk. But no one should stay at the milk stage, either. They need to grow.

IV. The Weak Christian There are those in the faith who are not as strong as others, sometimes through no fault of their own. They are troubled by every new thought and theory and struggle with every new idea. Such a person should not be troubled with debate. Jesus himself says that to those who are given more, more will be required. If a person is given less, than we are commanded not to trouble them. (I Cor. 8:11)

So, debate is limited to mature Christians that are not new converts. They need to be strong in their faith as well. These things are important if we are to be leaders and not just factioning, bickering, backbiters.

So when is it right -indeed, sometimes necessary- to debate doctrine? And what doctrines are up for debate?

There are some things that are not up for discussion. Man's need for salvation, our lack of goodness without God, our desire to serve ourselves instead of God, God's Holiness, Jesus as God's Son and our Saviour, God's lack of sin, man's complete inability to save himself, and the requirement of God's grace that alone can save us are all non debatable parts of the Gospel. But some more complex doctrines, than do not always have a defining point in Salvation itself do bear studying and debating. What is the difference between the teaching of Joel Osteen and John Bunyan? Aren't they both Christians? Do we need to argue between the two? Do we not agree with both because they are both in the Religion section of the local book store?

Some say no, live and let live. Others say yes, this is a defining point of Christianity. Indeed, I too would say we do need to know where we stand with these doctrines. If we do not understand who Christ is and what He has done for us, we cannot understand the differences between these different teachings. We are commanded to test the spirits. (I John 4:1) We are to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. (Matthew 10:16)We are not to be tossed by every wave of doctrine. (Eph. 4:14)

So in order to do these things we must indeed debate some issues. Taking a stance is important in many of these places. However, we must balance out this with the other side of the metaphorical coin. We are not to teach these doctrines as the commands of God. (Matt. 15:19) We are also to avoid foolish rambling as well. (II Tim. 2:14-17) In the same breath, we are also told to accurately handle the word of truth. So to do so we need to know what that is. Some doctrines that we may hold are not essential to our Theology, others are. We need to know which are truly nonnegotiable and which are based in human reason. This is yet another reason that we are not to debate with immature or weak Christians, seeing as some of our Theology is indeed core- yet other portions are not.

Conclusion

In the end, yes, debate is important for mature Christians. But there are many limitations and guidelines to follow. I don't have them all; indeed, I don't know them all. But these are some of them.

Don't debate without prayer. Don't leave the Author out of the Book discussion.