{"id":17300,"date":"2021-04-20T16:00:05","date_gmt":"2021-04-20T08:00:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/admin.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/?p=17300"},"modified":"2021-04-01T06:43:30","modified_gmt":"2021-03-31T22:43:30","slug":"separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/","title":{"rendered":"Separating for the Sake of Church Unity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

In chapter 4 of Winsome Conviction: Disagreeing without Dividing the Church<\/em><\/a>, Meuhlhoff and Langer open with this provocative statement:<\/p>\n

\u201cthere are times when the best way to preserve Christian unity is by parting ways.\u201d (52)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This certainly requires an explanation.<\/p>\n

\"\"But first, recall why this conversation matters. As noted in my first post<\/a> of this series, we mustn\u2019t equate personal convictions with absolute commands. If we confuse the two, we will increasingly undermine the church\u2019s gospel witness and our ability to work together for the sake of Christ\u2019s kingdom.<\/p>\n

Not All Separations are Equal<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The authors make two points abundantly clear. First, \u201call separations are not created equal\u201d (59). Second, not all separations are necessary. I state these remarks upfront to ensure that no one gets the impression that Meuhlhoff and Langer are flippantly apathetic about church unity.<\/p>\n

They spotlight the dispute between Paul and Barnabas in Acts 15:36-41 concerning whether Mark should accompany them on their journey. Since Mark had abandoned them on a previous mission trip, Paul thought it best to leave him behind. Meuhlhoff and Langer aptly say, \u201cOne might call this a missional dispute rather than a doctrinal dispute, but it was clearly a dispute<\/strong>\u201d (57). The text does not elaborate further concerning his precise reasoning or why Barnabas disagreed, wanting Mark to remain on their team for the upcoming trip. So, we can deduce little about whether one or the other made the right decision at the moment.<\/p>\n

This was no insignificant disagreement. Meuhlhoff and Langer add,<\/p>\n

\u201cBut notice that this missional dispute did not lead to a division in the body of Christ<\/strong>. It did not lead to people speaking ill of one another. It did not lead to the participants falling out of communication with one another\u2014or at least if so, that communication was quickly restored. Unlike the case of false teachers, the separation was not intended to delineate the faithful who were bringing glory to Christ from the unfaithful who were dishonoring him.<\/p>\n

Instead, Paul and Barnabas separated in order to pursue complementary ministries that would each enhance the gospel and glorify Christ. Once the disagreement was put behind them, they spoke well of one another, continued to communicate with one another, and were able to work with one another at a later time when circumstances were different. In light of this, it is clear that all separations are not created equal<\/strong> and that in some cases, it may very well be possible that separating coworkers for the sake of carrying out complementary missions is actually the best way forward.\u201d (58-59)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

By contrast, many Christians today grow suspicious of others for countless reasons that have nothing to do with foundational beliefs like the Trinity or how one is saved. Rather, we might disparage people who care for the poor as mere \u201csocial justice warriors\u201d who are not sufficiently concerned with \u201ceternal life.\u201d Or we might look down upon those whom we think underemphasize rapid church multiplication as though they were less faithful to God\u2019s call and people\u2019s salvation.<\/p>\n

How to Separate Wisely<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

The authors suggest ideas for wise \u201cfence building.\u201d For example, \u201cmake the reasons for the separation explicit\u201d and find smaller ways to cooperate even if some areas are not workable (62-63). Furthermore, stop the habit of looking for ways to criticize or minimize those with whom you disagree. Seek out ways to affirm their work even while disagreeing with them on some issue.<\/p>\n

What are unwise practices that undermine unity amid separation? The authors astutely note how we tend to \u201cweaponize\u201d beliefs (65-67). That is, we tie a conviction with a more foundational doctrine or absolute<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

I frequently see this among some conservative evangelicals who link \u201cwomen in the pastorate\u201d with \u201cbiblical inerrancy.\u201d Consequently, they will accuse a person who affirms women pastors as someone who doesn\u2019t really<\/em> affirm biblical inerrancy, infallibility, and authority. Such persons are oblivious to the fact that other people honestly interpret the Bible differently.<\/p>\n

We see a similar dynamic when crossing generations and cultures. Scores of churches have divided or shunned congregants for drinking alcohol, getting a tattoo, and various other practices. Even with more serious offenses, confusion can occur that undermines unity for the sake of the gospel. As the authors remark, \u201cAdultery is a moral failure, but it is not in and of itself a transfer of allegiance from Christ to Satan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
Credit: Public Domain<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Engaging the \u201cEnemy\u201d?<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cArgument culture\u201d<\/a> pits people on opposing sides where each seeks to \u201cbe right\u201d rather than to know the truth or what\u2019s best<\/strong>. This binary thinking sets our minds up to see other people as opponents or even enemies. What then does it mean to \u201cengage the enemy\u201d? Well, in the military, that phrase is a euphemism for shooting or killing an enemy combatant. This instinct to \u201cfight\u201d is not a healthy one.<\/p>\n

What can bring about a change in attitude?<\/strong> On the one hand, we can stop presuming that we are entirely right and others almost completely wrong. Seek to find how<\/em> they are right, not whether <\/em>the other person is right. That would be a start.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, come to accept that people within your church or theological tribe won\u2019t always like you. This can relieve the sting of feeling isolated or looked down upon by people with different convictions. A friend of mine recently posted the following, a motto that resonates with me:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m too conservative to please half of you and too liberal to please the other half.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

That\u2019s a motto many of us would do well to live by.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Winsome Conviction opens with a provocative statement: \u201cthere are times when the best way to preserve Christian unity is by parting ways.\u201d This requires an explanation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2368,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2200,2193],"tags":[2133,2339,2714],"class_list":["post-17300","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-book-reviews","category-culture-general","tag-book-reviews","tag-church-unity","tag-winsome-conviction"],"yoast_head":"\nSeparating for the Sake of Church Unity<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Winsome Conviction opens with a provocative statement: \u201cthere are times when the best way to preserve Christian unity is by parting ways.\u201d This requires an explanation.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Separating for the Sake of Church Unity\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Winsome Conviction opens with a provocative statement: \u201cthere are times when the best way to preserve Christian unity is by parting ways.\u201d This requires an explanation.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Saving God\u2019s Face\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/savinggodsface\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-04-20T08:00:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2021-03-31T22:43:30+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/576\/2017\/02\/photo-1473261912432-55081882c1fb_opt.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Brad Vaughn\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@savinggodsface\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Brad Vaughn\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/\",\"name\":\"Separating for the Sake of Church Unity\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2021-04-20T08:00:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2021-03-31T22:43:30+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/#\/schema\/person\/c6033eb278ed95fcd5f10ce3ad21210c\"},\"description\":\"Winsome Conviction opens with a provocative statement: \u201cthere are times when the best way to preserve Christian unity is by parting ways.\u201d This requires an explanation.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/2021\/04\/20\/separating-for-the-sake-of-church-unity\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Separating for the Sake of Church Unity\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/jacksonwu\/\",\"name\":\"Saving God\u2019s Face\",\"description\":\"Doing Theology. 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