Note: This is part three of a three part series on church foundations.
 Earlier
in my career, I was called upon to mediate a conflict between two
groups within the church I pastored. The conflict centered around a
difference in opinion on a matter of doctrine. One group believed one
thing, the other group believed the opposite, and conflict ensued.
What I discovered as I 'peeled' the onion of their fight disturbed me.
The actions of each group showed less Christ-likeness, and more
pettiness as the argument grew. Gossip, slander, verbal abuse,
unkindness and lack of grace characterized the behaviour and attitude
of both groups.
As I tried to help resolve the problem, I
noticed that increasingly, both groups replaced the Bible as their
authority in the matter with something else. One group appealed to the
church's statement of faith, the other to their own reason in regards
to certain Biblical passages. In the end, each group was so entrenched
in their own position, that a workable compromise was not possible. It
is hard for a church to function when there are two groups each
thinking the other is wrong, or worse, thinking the other is evil.
This experience really got me thinking about what defines our orthodoxy.
Orthodoxy
is is defined as "right belief". This right belief is expressed
through the actions of a community. This is called orthopraxy, or
orthopraxis. From my study of the Bible, the authoritative book for
Christianity, I see clear commands, beliefs and attitudes prescribed
for followers of God. However, there are also teachings that are not
100% clear, meaning there are issues that can be legitimately debated.
So what is orthodoxy? Is it the non-negotiables of the faith, plus my
opinion of the debatable issues? Or how about my church's opinion? My
denomination's view? Do I adopt as orthodox the beliefs of a Christian
writer that I enjoy or agree with? And once I have defined orthodoxy
for myself, do I then refuse fellowship with those who do not share
that orthodoxy? It becomes quite a can of worms!
Increasingly
in the 21st century, churches in the western world will be less
centered around denominational distinctives, but will find more
community around practices. Look at what Willow Creek and Saddleback
have done to bring churches together across denominational lines. When
I pastored a Willow Creek style church, the congregation identified
more with that association that with the denomination to which we
belonged. We also see now many Christians pursuing style of music,
teaching approach, available programs, rather than doctrine when
'church shopping'. Practice seems to trump belief.
More and
more, local churches will see a diversity in beliefs among their
members. This loss of homogeny will cause some churches great pain if
they try to keep to a narrow, over defined view of orthodoxy. However,
churches that focus on the essentials of the faith, coupled with
clearly defined practices, will enjoy less community friction. But what
are the essentials of the faith?
I think a more creedal approach
to orthodoxy gives the room needed for grace and unity to be
expressed. One suggestion is the Apostles' creed. This definition of
orthodoxy comes from much earlier in Christianity. Here it is:
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
the Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord:
Who was conceived of the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day He arose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty,
whence He shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy *catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
*The word catholic refers not to the Roman Catholic church, but to the church universal.
One
of the joys of serving here at the River is the grace each one shows
the other in terms of orthodoxy. I know there are people in the
congregation who do not believe exactly what I believe, but that does
not prevent us from working together to feed the hungry, clothe those
in need, and introduce others to Jesus. Conflict is replaced with
effectiveness. Distrust is set aside for mission. Superfluous walls
are knocked down in light of grace. That is the church Jesus foresaw
when he said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)
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