Theological Issues I’m Having Trouble With

September 28, 2006 by
Filed under: Religion 

I’m having trouble with a few theological issues.

First of all – my theological background.  I was once a fairly involved member of a Presbyterian PC(USA) congregation.  I was also a religion minor at Rutgers University, and I took several classes on Christianity and the Bible.  I have not gotten any farther than that as far as formal theological education.

Biblical Inerrancy

One thing that conservative Christians (often calling themselves evangelical) list as one of their core beliefs is the idea that the Bible contains no errors.  This is explained by stating that the authors of the various books of the Bible were inspired by God, and therefore there could be no errors.  This leads to the logical conclusion that we must follow every instruction in the Bible.

There are some problems with that.  In some places the Bible directly contradicts itself.  (For one glaring example, take a look at the different accounts of creation in the first two books of Genesis.  For an entire list, look HERE).  Other times, the Bible prohibits things that we clearly allow today (check your clothing – is it made of mixed fibers?).

It gets worse when people start interpreting the words.  I had a very conservative on-campus Christian group tell me once that 2 Corinthians 6:14 (“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do
righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can
light have with darkness?”) meant that I should not be friends with Jews unless I was actively trying to convert them.  Others believe that this passage says that Christians should not marry non-Christians, or even form business partnerships with non-Christians.

Almost all forms of Christianity today pick and choose different instructions that are supposedly from the Bible.  I have yet to find a church that preaches that eating shellfish is sinful.  However, some admit it and others do not.  The PC(USA) is officially a Confessional church – meaning that there are documents called Confessions that the PC(USA) has adopted as official interpretations of Scripture.  Most of these are historical and go back decades at a minimum, and centuries in many cases.  These contradict each other as well.  Presbyterians are exhorted to study the Bible and the confessions and so gain both the tools to make their own interpretations of scripture and the decisions that have been made through the consensus polity of the church.

The problem comes when Person A’s interpretation differs from Person B on an issue that either person considers Very Important.  This could be divorce.  Or homosexuality.  Or how often to celebrate Eucharist/Communion.  Or whether or not the altar is behind the choir or in front of the choir.

Once upon a time, these differences erupted into actual violent conflict – complete with armies (both of which were the Army of the Lord).  Today, it’s fought with words and fought with money.  It’s fought with words like apostasy and intolerance.

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Diversity of Belief vs. Purity of Belief

With the late unpleasantness in many Protestant denominations many people are concluding that “I can’t stand being in a church that doesn’t believe X”.  Some are using a different form, saying “I can’t stand being in a church that doesn’t accept me as I am”.  I can understand the latter – it goes to personal identity and staying in a place where you are clearly unwanted (or part of you is unwanted) is a bad idea all the way around.  So I’ll concentrate on the former.

Personally, I believe that our beliefs should be challenged.  We must be exposed to different ideas in order to continue to grow spiritually.  Some of those ideas will be tested and rejected.  Some of those ideas will be interesting but “not for me”.  Others will be accepted and become part of our spiritual makeup.

A church where homogeneity is mandated, where the Bible is made into a rulebook rather than a message, in that church the challenge is not there.  Everyone who chooses to be part of that church may be comfortable, but nothing is changing.  Beliefs are the same, year in and year out.  There is no new light.

I would much rather be part of a church where people who hold opposing views are not just tolerated, but encouraged.  Where people can debate the various ideas that they have, and learn from each other.  Chemical reactions happen when atoms build and break bonds, moving from one form to another.  That is my picture of how faith is built – through constant interaction with new and different ideas.

There is a point where it can go too far.  There is a place for a core set of beliefs and behaviors that are tolerated.  But even then, there is room for those who disagree to be present and part of the community.

Put more simply – how can you learn and grow in faith if you aren’t exposed to other beliefs?  How can you spread your message if you don’t associate with those with whom you disagree?

I would much rather belong to a church that chooses to include a few people who don’t check off all of the church’s belief-system check boxes than one that chooses to exclude them.  If I (and others) don’t agree with their beliefs, my faith is strengthened by understanding and rejecting their ideas.

Or maybe I am the person without all of the checks on the list.  Who has 100% of the checks?

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