Ludi Incipiant -- Let the Games Begin!

A common question regarding Christianity from both non-Christians and Christians alike is the issue of the many denominations and variety of beliefs within the same brand of religion.  This is a good question.  We offer the world a faith whereby there is one God, one faith and one baptism.  It's in the Bible (Ephesians 4:4-6 ) our one source of authority.  This all sounds so confusing.  Why so many interpretations? 

Do you know what else is in the Bible?   Well we are told that individual Christians presently only understand in part (1 Corinthians 13:9,12).  We also know that sometimes truth takes awhile to dawn on us (Proverbs 4:18).  We also have the evidence of church councils wrestling with important issues (Acts 15). 

So first of all let's make sure we don't fall prey to a Satanic method of Biblical interpretation (Matthew 4:7) and forget that we shouldn't make a doctrine on solitary passages.  "It is also written" is an important inclusion in any Biblical discussion. The truth is we are fallen, dependent creatures and the New Birth does not make us omniscient and all-wise.  We will never be God (contrary to some religions!).  We will never (including the Final State) have the perfect knowledge that our God has.

Secondly, I somewhat relish the idea that within the confines of true and unabashed Christianity well-meaning Believers can still debate differences of opinion.  If you think about it, in our world of pluralism and relativism, where everybody is right and right is whatever you think it is, we may be experiencing a generation of people that truly are living the last and final great debate.

Now let it be known that there are subjects that are so blatantly clear in the Bible that debate is futile if not insubordinate.  But when I debate infant baptism with my Presbyterian brothers, or tongues with my Pentecostal friends, or eschatology with all my other Christians, we are entering into a sphere of discussion that our relativistic neighbors seldom enjoy. 

I think instead of showing contempt for our intramural differences we ought to count it a distinct privilege. People who hold to cardinal truths of Christianity get to differ, debate and defer to one another in a spirit of Christ-likeness that is unknown in many other religious systems.

So the next time you have a friendly argument with a fellow believer on ... say: the impeccability of Jesus, stop to give thanks that you still can do that.  Stop also to thank God that He has determined others to be a help to your faith.  Stop also to worship a God that in infinitely wise and true; and that the joy of knowing Him is in the journey.

Ludi incipiant.