In another thread, there was much discussion about fellowship among believers who have different theologies. I am using the word theology instead of doctrine (although the two are often interchangeable) because how we look at and understand God (theology) affects the things we are taught/learn/believe (doctrine).
A textbook definition of the word fellowship is:
"The sense of unity, community, and participation in the lives of others that emerges among Christians and in the church from the common experience of faith in Jesus Christ." (Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms)
The key word in that definition (which is drawn from the Greek word for fellowship, "koinonia") is "common". In another thread, it was suggested that faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient enough for fellowship and that theological differences cause unnecessary division among Christians and in the church. This thread is about testing whether that assertion is true.
A point I want to make right up front is that just because two people claim to be Christians does not mean they have a lot in common. In other words, not every two Christians become friends. It does not mean they are enemies, it just means that there are no natural bonds of affection between them. Friendship and fellowship are not always the same. I can have fellowship with another believer in my local church that I am not friends with. I know a man in my previous church who has a personality that is 180 degrees opposite of mine. Outside of our shared faith, we have nothing in common. We have different doctrinal beliefs on important issues. We have been in each other's company numerous times and always have pleasant conversations. However, we are night and day apart on certain things. That said, he is a brother in Christ and I stood by him as such. If he ever had a need that I could meet I would not hesitate to do so and I would do it in a spirit of brotherly love. So, whereas we did not have a vibrant friendship, we were able to have Christian fellowship with each other precisely because of the bond of our common faith.
So, what do we do about theological differences in the local church? How does that affect our participation in the church and our interpersonal relationships? To begin with, how important is sound doctrine? Let me make a point by emphasizing what happens when sound doctrine is absent:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
As if to underscore Paul's words to Timothy, in the book of Titus, Paul writes:
Titus 2:1 1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
Sound doctrine is critical for the health of a local church because it is rooted in a theology that elevates truth over error. Truth builds (edifies) whereas error destroys:
2 Peter 2:1 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Is it possible to share a similar theology while disagreeing on points of doctrine? I am an Amillennialist and a Covenant Theologian. My pastor is a Premillennialist and a Dispensationalist. Our doctrine differs sharply. However, we share the same soteriology and he is not antagonistic towards my doctrinal distinctives. He also has a high view of God's word and preaches it with power and conviction. My beliefs do not preclude me from teaching in the church. He has a high view of God and his holiness, something that we both share. Before I chose this church I visited another church that was antagonistic towards my beliefs. The preaching was much different and my beliefs would have left me as an outsider. Should I have joined that church in spite of my theological differences? No. Does this mean I cannot have a friendship with individuals who go to that church? Of course not. I can separate individual relationships from that of an entire church.
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A textbook definition of the word fellowship is:
"The sense of unity, community, and participation in the lives of others that emerges among Christians and in the church from the common experience of faith in Jesus Christ." (Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms)
The key word in that definition (which is drawn from the Greek word for fellowship, "koinonia") is "common". In another thread, it was suggested that faith in Jesus Christ is sufficient enough for fellowship and that theological differences cause unnecessary division among Christians and in the church. This thread is about testing whether that assertion is true.
A point I want to make right up front is that just because two people claim to be Christians does not mean they have a lot in common. In other words, not every two Christians become friends. It does not mean they are enemies, it just means that there are no natural bonds of affection between them. Friendship and fellowship are not always the same. I can have fellowship with another believer in my local church that I am not friends with. I know a man in my previous church who has a personality that is 180 degrees opposite of mine. Outside of our shared faith, we have nothing in common. We have different doctrinal beliefs on important issues. We have been in each other's company numerous times and always have pleasant conversations. However, we are night and day apart on certain things. That said, he is a brother in Christ and I stood by him as such. If he ever had a need that I could meet I would not hesitate to do so and I would do it in a spirit of brotherly love. So, whereas we did not have a vibrant friendship, we were able to have Christian fellowship with each other precisely because of the bond of our common faith.
So, what do we do about theological differences in the local church? How does that affect our participation in the church and our interpersonal relationships? To begin with, how important is sound doctrine? Let me make a point by emphasizing what happens when sound doctrine is absent:
2 Timothy 4:3-4 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4 and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
As if to underscore Paul's words to Timothy, in the book of Titus, Paul writes:
Titus 2:1 1 But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine.
Sound doctrine is critical for the health of a local church because it is rooted in a theology that elevates truth over error. Truth builds (edifies) whereas error destroys:
2 Peter 2:1 1 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.
Is it possible to share a similar theology while disagreeing on points of doctrine? I am an Amillennialist and a Covenant Theologian. My pastor is a Premillennialist and a Dispensationalist. Our doctrine differs sharply. However, we share the same soteriology and he is not antagonistic towards my doctrinal distinctives. He also has a high view of God's word and preaches it with power and conviction. My beliefs do not preclude me from teaching in the church. He has a high view of God and his holiness, something that we both share. Before I chose this church I visited another church that was antagonistic towards my beliefs. The preaching was much different and my beliefs would have left me as an outsider. Should I have joined that church in spite of my theological differences? No. Does this mean I cannot have a friendship with individuals who go to that church? Of course not. I can separate individual relationships from that of an entire church.
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