An Essay on Differing Christian Theology

How can Christians of differing theological viewpoints cooperate?

Christian theology is fundamental not only to our belief system as Christians, but directly influences our every action as we live out our faith. Consequently the reality of many differing theologies amongst Christians can cause great diversity and division, which can be both positive and negative. The result of so many conflicting theological beliefs can, and often results, in an inability to adhere to a major theme in scripture particularly found in the book of Ephesians 4. 1-16 on Unity in the Body of Christ. This passage of scriptures offers great insight into creating unity amongst differing theologies and allowing cooperation amongst the denominations. Knowing that all wisdom comes from God, scripture is a great place to begin when seeking to create cooperation amongst Christians with differing theologies.

            The very beginning verses of Ephesians 4 state, “[4:1] I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.”  This suggests that to begin creating unity there must be humility, gentleness, patience, love and an eagerness to maintain unity. Cooperating well with other theological beliefs should begin with a humility that comes from our recognition that we are fallen depraved beings and are dependent on a sovereign omnipotent God. This kind of humility is of course difficult to attain in that we must be brought low, as Christ was humbled even to death, so ought we to be as brothers and sisters in Christ regarding the subject of Christian theology. Along with this humility will come patience, love, and a desire for Christian unity. To be clear, this is not an attempt to unify our theology, but to be unified as brothers and sisters in Christ even in our differences.              

            Yet, how can there by unity if there exists differing theologies? Part of the answer is in simply recognizing the differences that exist, while still respecting and honoring one another as we are called to by scripture (Romans 12.10). Often the reason there exists so many theological differences is due to an ignorance of the theologies that exist. By simply recognizing another’s theological view the Christian learns or is reminded of a certain view, while comparing and contrasting this view with their own theological view. The opposite of this is simply to sit in ignorance and cling to ones theology in darkness. We can begin to recognize others theological differences by learning about them, which begins with humility, a necessity in the Christian walk. Yet just recognizing differences is not enough; it is also important to recognize what is agreed upon theologically.

            By concentrating on what is theologically analogous the Christian can establish at least in that particular theological viewpoint a place in which to build unity and cooperation. For example, if there is a difference of opinion regarding baptism, there may still be many issues to be agreed upon. Too often Christians of differing theologies focus only on the differences and forget the greatest and most common belief that is shared, which is that Jesus Christ is our Savior and King. Many issues move to the background when agreement in the belief of Jesus Christ is established. There ought to be more of a focus on the similarities amongst denominations and theologies. This can be seen at the end of v.3 where Paul writes, “, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Peace is often achieved with what is agreed upon and then built off of this agreement. One way, Christians can build such unity and peace is by recognizing that all Christians have different gifts and are used for a particular purpose according to its function in the body.

            In one respect there needs to exist different theologies, in that humanity is diverse both socially, economically, culturally, physically, emotionally, and geographically, so scripture will be received differently by each of these groups of people. For example, ones theology may be particularly suited for an immature Christian (e.g. a belief that theology is not important ((which is a theology)) but as that Christian grows and struggles with deeper questions, their theology will change and be challenged. As they grown they may need a richer theology such as reformed theology, offering answers to harder questions. In the same way we are called to recognize the different gifts that each Christian is given (Ephesians 7-8), which is appropriated to reach different people or help in different circumstances. For example, perhaps there is a Christian who is particularly gifted with discerning doctrinal hermeneutics, while another Christian has a gift of seeing the overarching message of scripture; both of which will help in the understanding of scripture as it relates to any theological view. By recognizing that all Christians are gifted differently, we can begin to receive humility in the areas that we lack, and receive help from Christians who are gifted in those areas or visa-versa. Another simple example is that Baptists are stereotypically great at feeding the hungry, while Presbyterians do well with their teaching of scripture. Both of these examples of gifts given in the Church are biblical and necessary. We ought to learn from one another than argue with each other over our differences. In doing this we recognize the strengths and weaknesses in our own theologies, while building off the gifts and suggestions of our brothers and sisters. 

            Another way to cooperate with different theological views is by recognizing that in humility we are all in the process of being built up into the body of Christ, “until we attain to the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son of God.” (Ephesians 4.13) Basically we are ALL in the process of sanctification and let us not forget it! We will strive during our time on this earth to attain unity, but the reality is that there will never be complete unity until we either die or Christ comes again and makes all things right. Christians ought to recognize this, in that some theological differences will remain irreconcilable because we live in a fallen world. It is ok to disagree, to be of different theologies, and still be seeking to attain unity in the body of Christ. It takes humility to recognize that we are in a messed up world and we are messed up individuals, whom by the grace of God can attain to some measure of unity in this fallen world. Part of cooperating amongst differing theologies is to look first inward at our plank rather than at the splinter in our brother’s eyes (Matthew 7.3).

            Lastly, we are called to still speak the truth in love as Paul writes, “[15] Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ” (Ephesians 4.15). This means that a Christian is called to speak what is true and to testify to the ways in which he is convicted. Regarding cooperation amongst theological differences, this means the Christian ought to be actively speaking into the lives of other Christians where there be need. Now, this is not just speaking truth, but speaking truth in love, which implies a gentleness and sincerity when speaking into the lives of other Christians. An example could be a group of people yelling condemnation to “repent and believe or go to hell”, in the streets of a city. This group may be speaking truth, but because of their harshness it is not spoken in love. We are to speak as Christ has spoken to us, with the assurance of a love that is willing to die for us (John 3:16), but with a truth that could split up home and family (Matthew 10. 34-39). In this way we can cooperate with people of different theologies, by speaking what is true, while also speaking in a loving Christ-like fashion.

            To conclude, the topic of cooperating with Christians of differing theologies is a large and historically difficult subject, as there has been even death due to fighting over differing theologies (e.g. Catholics and Protestants). The main course of reconciliation is found in scripture (Ephesians 4) regarding humility, gentleness, patience, love, and an eagerness to maintain unity. This is produced through recognizing differences as well as similarities so that humility may abound and knowledge may increase. We are called also to recognize the gifts given to others and conversely recognize where our own gifts lack, that we may use the body of Christ to attain a measure of unity. In this we recognize the sovereignty and power of God, while also seeing our own depravity and need of sanctification in Christ. The Christian looks inwardly at his own shortcomings, before pointing out the failings of his brother or sister. Lastly when it is time, we speak the truth in love, and continue the great discussion, which is Christian theology.