For This Reason 9

[HKHaugan]

John Stott hit upon a real bipolar disorder in denominational life, Scripture and Tradition. When an individual needs help in determining what spirituality is all about a Bible believer will send this person to the Scripture and walk alongside him as both seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance. But a denominational liberal or conservative will resort to the company line to keep this person in line. “Yes, we believe in Scripture but we have the best way to do it.’ In another one you may hear, “In fact we are the church that wrote the Bible and therefore we alone have the key to its interpretation.” In yet another, “We have been given a new insight through a special prophet and even have another book to supplement the Bible.” Where the Lord wants a believer to rest his spiritual bones is not for a human to decide. It is up to us to show them Scripture, share what it means to us, help them into some commentaries by scholars and let the Spirit do the rest.

Again, of course, the real bipolar problem is Scripture vs. tradition in denominational life. What is most important is the heart and mind of any individual. And this brings in the question of authority. Who has the best authority to guide a new believer or even counsel a long time believer? Some people are more in need of structure than others so the goal is to help them find their fit. Here is the nub of the authority debate when it comes to being a disciple who disciples others. Everyone needs structure and everyone needs to be able to act individually when it comes to choice and decision in every next moment.

Dependence on Scripture is how the Holy Spirit actuates truth in the heart. It is the place of leadership in any denomination to see their tradition in a secondary position as a support system for Scripture and build a Scriptural base in each believer. This will enable them to reach out wherever they are. Secular culture will attack Scripture seeking compromise from denominations. Softening the use of Scripture will inevitably lead to heresy, power hungry leadership and make people members instead of disciples. Strong dependence on Scripture always keeps structure honest.

One of the bipolar issues that spring from biblical interpretation is picking a verse, a practice or a theme, taking it out of context and building a whole set of doctrines and even a denomination based on that one verse. When it becomes a problem is in the judgment that arises about other denominations. One denomination claims that it started in 33AD and since there were no musical instruments in those early meetings the only authentic worship music is sung. Then too the Old Testament is not used since all that is necessary to know about Jesus is in the New Testament. Another will make the claim that unless you speak in tongues you don’t have the Holy Spirit and therefore are only half a Christian. Again a goodly number will make the claim that immersion is necessary to be truly baptized. Then there are those whose liturgies are built around the Lord’s Supper and extravagant pietistic practices that become more central than the Lord for whom worship was intended. All have something to offer but let the Spirit do the work.

Recently I was at a covered dish get together and the host cornered me about his errant son and how he was not paying attention to him about premillenialism and the thousand year reign of Jesus. He was afraid for the salvation of his son if he didn’t accept that doctrine. He was going back to Ohio and try to convince his son of their importance. What he didn’t quite get was that his son wasn’t a Christian, or a turned off one at best, and he was only going to turn him off that much more if he went. “Oh no, here comes Dad again.”

It’s not that doctrines are bad. It’s the lack of discerning wisdom when it comes to sharing them. That can only come through allowing the Holy Spirit to be the guide to where someone really is, especially if they are not Christians. Casting pearls before the reluctant swine spirits of sin, pride and fear, just doesn’t cut it. Love, acceptance and patience prepare the soil to receive seeds of faith.

Divisiveness happens when human beings claim they and they alone have the truth. We have the Koresh debacle in Waco and the Jonestown mass suicide as examples. Even those claiming to be the most non-denominational can have forms and attitudes that better be followed if you choose to be a member. Actually non-denominational churches are really denominational after all. The fact that they have to declare a belief system and its order as they appeal for people to join them distinguishes them from others.

What we need to have is Jesus’ attitude when told that others were casting out demons in His name. He replied “Whoever is not against you is for you (Lk.9:50).” To use our modern vernacular, “Chill,” God is in control. He’ll set things straight in His time. Just continue to stay strong in Scripture and the Spirit will handle whatever comes along.

My own experience tells me that denominational differences are miniscule in the larger context. I can feel as comfortable in most any Christian denomination from Roman Catholic to Independent when the Spirit moves through the Scripture. The window dressing is nice but it’s the Holy Spirit that saves the day. He always has a way of lifting Jesus as Savior and Lord and you know you’ve been with others that confess His name.

The spiritually bipolar issues of authority and freedom will always be with us. It’s just a reminder of our dependence on the Lord in the Spirit. He has a way of sorting things out so that we learn from every situation wherever we are. It may happen immediately or some time later but as this series has shown be it days or years He will make it all clear. Just don’t let our personal bipolar nature run the show. As we have said previously some people need more structure than others and some need more freedom in mind and heart. There is a place for all in the larger Body of Christ. I can hear the echo of Jesus’ words, “Come unto me all ye who travail and are heavy laden and I will refresh you (Mt.11:28).”