Our Views Are Just As Important As How We Hold Them
Our attitudes, our tones, our words matter when we discuss our views with other people.
The way we view people, especially those we disagree with. The way we treat them. The way we talk to people. Those are indicators of the depths of Jesus' heart we've explored and been known by.
When we are rude, brash, arrogant, belittling to others when discussing our view or perspective... that says far more than our theological stances do. "If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal." (1st Cor. 13) If you claim to know the doctrines of grace and yet speak to others in such a manner that your perception, your perspective, your stance is always right and you will be right and show you are right at any cost, you do not understand the doctrines of grace.
Theological Arrogance
We are just like the Pharisees when we are theologically arrogant. In John 9 they are speaking to an uneducated, blind beggar: "They answered him, “You were born in utter sin, and would you lecture us?” And they cast him out." (John 9)
They dismiss him and his story because he can’t talk like them. He doesn’t have the same background as them.
Our ability to articulate theology is not a spiritual fruit. It's not even a necessity for salvation. Basic, illiterate, un-educated people are saved. Think about John 9, a blind beggar who can't read says "I don't know... but what I do know, I was blind and now I see". Or the man on the cross by Jesus. And yet, here we are... basing peoples worth and value on their ability to line up with us doctrinally and ability to articulate theology on some internet chat board.
I always find it so strange (even within myself, because I feel this at times in my sinful nature) - those that venture most deeply into the theological depths can be the most prideful. And I have a hypothesis. It's because we venture into them with our heads, not our hearts. Do you allow your heart to be embraced by the mercy of Jesus in Romans? Or do you only praise the logic of justification in Romans? One leads to pride and theological arrogance. One leads to humility because you understand even your ability to articulate what you believe is a gift.
Gentleness
Do you know what the spiritual fruits are? Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Self-control. We gain those by seeing them displayed to us through Christ. Meditate on his love for you. His joy... etc. And as you do, you will embody them back. May they season our theological dialogue. You know nothing of theology if you speak in ways contrary to these fruits.
The more I live the more I become convinced: our authority to speak theological things into peoples lives comes from our humility, gentleness, and patience. Not from our brashness.
Seeking to be more humble in how I say things,
Josh.
