HOME / PROCLAMATION! MAGAZINE / 2010 / JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH / THE LIFE AFTER WITH CHRIS LEE

January February March 2010
VOLUME 11, ISSUE 1

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D E P A R T M E N T S

The life AFTER with Chris Lee

 

What binds us together

Chris Lee

 

In the Fall, 2009, issue of Proclamation! we talked about the need to be in fellowship with a local body of believers. Of course, I realize that is easier said than done. We have been conditioned to seek a denomination which embodies "the truth". We have a history of majoring in the minors, so we tend to attach more importance to secondary beliefs than we probably should. This "denominational thinking" becomes counterproductive when it causes us to think that our particular congregation or denomination is superior to all others, when it divides us from other Christians, or when it prevents us from fellowshipping with any congregation at all.

Augustine is credited with saying, "In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity". Augustine was basically saying that there are a few very clear things in Scripture that unify us and define what real Christianity is. There are a lot of other things that are less clear. We can lovingly disagree on these things. It's unlikely that you will find a church where you agree on every single non-essential. That's okay. Total agreement on the minor issues isn't necessary.

In searching for a church home, it can be helpful to speak with the pastor or attend a "welcome" class to ask a few questions about the essentials. Does the congregation believe that the Bible is the sole authoritative source of doctrinal truth? Does the leadership clearly teach that there is only one God; that the Father, Son, and Spirit are God; and that the Father, Son, and Spirit are eternally personally distinct and yet one being in essence and substance? Does the church teach that man is both physical and spiritual and that both aspects have been utterly corrupted by sin? Does the church proclaim Jesus to be God and man, born sinless of a virgin as the new Adam, our representative and substitute? Do they teach that by virtue of His perfect life, atoning sacrifice, and resurrection, He is the only way to be saved? Do they affirm that the risen Christ is returning to this earth and that every believer has a place in His kingdom while every unbeliever will experience eternal damnation? Do they very clearly affirm that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone, plus nothing? Does the leadership affirm that the Church is comprised of all true born again believers, even though those believers may have different opinions on non-essentials?*

If a church is confused on any of the essentials, you are probably dealing with a cult-like group which is likely steeped in works-based religion. However, if a congregation is solid in all the essentials, allows liberty in various non-essentials, and is loving in its teaching and practices, then you've found a church you can learn and grow in, even if there are a few things with which you disagree. As an example, I've talked to people who have ruled out some of the best Bible teaching churches in their area over issues like the sequencing of when we will be "caught up" to meet the Lord. Belief in the second coming is an essential belief that binds us together in unity. All Christians believe we will be raptured (from the Latin word meaning "caught up") to meet the Lord at some point. We may differ in the word we use or in our views of the timing, but those aren't valid reasons to divide. Dividing based on nonessentials is destructive to Christian unity and deleterious to our own spiritual growth. It's time to get past majoring in the minors and begin to look for those things that bind us all together. It's time to experience the adventure of the "life after". †

*See www.equip.org for a list of essential Christian doctrines.

 

 

 

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Chris Lee lives in Lincoln, Nebraska with his wife, Carmen, and daughters, Ashlyn and Alyssa. They attend the Lincoln Berean Church. Chris is a self-described "theology junkie" whose mission is to proclaim the unfathomable grace of Christ in a clear, understandable, and Biblical way. He leads a Life Group Bible study for former Adventists at Lincoln Berean.