Kenith, I'm wondering if you meant that to sound as ecumenical as it does?
Yes, I agree that we cant agree on every little petty detail but to not have agreement on our major doctrines is of great consequence, is it not?
Can two walk together except they be agreed?
To embrace RC as fellow believers is a stretch it would appear.
The bottom line is, do we give a sound, clear signal to the world about who we are and what is truly biblical and what is not? Even in many major denominations today there are so many pew sitters that have no clue to what real biblical doctrines are! This is a sad reflection on much contemporary preaching and should prayerfully be of great concern to all of us! However, we also must be discerning, judging the truth in love and not embrace those who believe every wind of doctrine as true and sound!
How and where is the line drawn in including others as 'fellow believers'?
Hello McWilliams,
Thanks for your comments. I agree that we are not to compromise the truth, but even when we have strong disagreements we can have very civil, calm and polite discussions and debates. There is no reason for name calling or for "exaggerating" the differences.
There are very real differences within the body of Christ, and there always have been differences. This will always be true.
Let me give an example. Jerome and Augustine were contemporaries and they disagreed on a couple of major points. Jerome agreed with the Protestant position on the books of the Bible, While St. Augustine agreed with what is today the Roman Catholic view (he held to canonicity of the Apocrypha).
On this issue, I think Jerome was correct and Augustine was in error. On Predestination Augustine held to a view that was like our own Calvinistic position. St. Jerome was more in what we would call the Arminian camp.
These church leaders exchanged many letters. The discussed their differences, but neither counted the other as a non-believers, because of these important differences.
I have VERY important differences with Roman Catholics. I know what they believe and teach (I was a RC at one time) and I know why I believe they are wrong on those issues. I can discuss those differences with them in a polite and friendly manner. I can also discuss them without exaggeration or distortion, because I know first hand, from Roman Catholic sources, what those differences are.
I also know that I have a lot of beliefs in common with Roman Catholics. We both hold to the Nicene, Apostles, Chalcedonian and Athanasian Creeds. We both believe the 66 books of the Protestant Bible are the Word of God, even though we differ on what they call the books of deutero-canon.
I can make like points about talking with Southern Baptists, Methodists, AofG, etc... We have real disagreements. I won't compromise my beliefs just to get along, but I can get along with these fellow believers without compromising my believes.
I need to love fellow Christians as Christ loves the Church. That means I treat them with respect, dignity and honesty. I think that I can talk to other Christians more, and by God's grace disciple them into better knowledge, if I act this way to others who claim Christ as Lord and Saviour.
I hope that better explains what I was saying.
Coram Deo,
Kenith