One of the saddest things in Christianity is when doctrinally informed brethren, I mean those that can not only explain propitiation but can also spell it, treat our ignorant or naive brethren in a manner devoid of brotherly love. To point out their theological errors or ignorance without patiently, lovingly and graciously building them up by teaching them sound doctrine. In other words suppressing instead of equipping. This is not only true of us Calvinists and Arminians but also among ourselves. I cannot recall how many times I've heard Christians mocking or ridiculing things like the Together for the Gospel (T4G) conference or the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals (ACE) because it crosses denominational boundaries. Is it really that bad that Presbyterians and Baptists, Amillennialists and Pre-Millennialists or Post -Millennialists would unite on the Gospel of Jesus Christ and proclaim it and defend it? Is it not that which unites us? Yes it is. Christ Himself says, "And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself" (Jn 12:31–32).
Sure we may have sharp disagreements over extremely important subjects like baptism, the kingdom e.t.c. but is there not any room for brotherly love? Love which will not treat the other as inferior? No, I'm not speaking of the squishy, purely sentimental, never confronts error, believe whatever you wish and let's all get along type of love. I'm speaking of the love of Christ. The kind of brotherly love that we are identified as belonging to Christ. Not with our theological and doctrinal superiority, but as the Lord commands us to love one another with and which identifies us as His, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (Jn 13:34–35). Oh, how we in the Reformed and Calvinist camp have forgotten! This is the kind of love which does indeed correct error directly, sharply and publicly and yet can turn around and still acknowledge we are united in Christ. The kind of love that moved Paul to harshly and publicly rebuke Peter ( Gal. 2:11-14) and yet have Peter speak lovingly of Paul (obviously Peter repented 2 Pe. 3:15-16). Christ like love in which Paul can call the Galatians idiots and brothers at the same time (Gal. 3:1, 15). This kind of love demands that we correct and discuss error yet must bear patiently with the other(s) to repent of the error(s). If us credobaptists are in error then patiently and graciously help us to see our error. We, too, must do the same when we believe paedobaptists to be in the wrong. Yet what love does not demand is that we disassociate with one another over the issue, afraid to speak together, behind the pulpit or in conferences, on the Word of God. After all being wrong on baptism never gets anyone booted out of the Kingdom.
When it comes to the errors of our Arminian brothers it becomes a slightly different thing. Their errors are so egregious that much care needs to be taken in dealing with them. I would concur with R.C. Sproul when he stated that Arminians are "just barely saved." Nevertheless, if they are saved then they are our fellow Christians and demand our love. There is no such thing as superior and inferior Christians. We may have learned Christians as opposed to ignorant ones and enlightened believers as opposed to deluded believers. Yet we are still one in Christ and commanded to love one another. They are still gifted by the Spirit and have a "manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:4, 7). Interesting enough, though our Arminian brethren may differ with us greatly and may attend our churches, they still have have a "manifestation of the Spirit" that is to be used for the common good in our churches. They are not inferior. We are commanded to love them and they us.
We in the doctrines of grace camp love our theology and doctrine ( imperatively so) but how often we forget the doctrine of brotherly love. Doctrine is essential to the Christian life but doctrine apart from love makes one an arrogant fool. Empty chatter-"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing"(1 Co 13:1-2). I can anticipate angry Calvinists, many of whom have never left the "cage stage" objecting and hurling insults of "compromiser" and "ecumenist." So be it. Whether one likes it or not love for all fellow Christians (not just those that adhere to our pet doctrines) is a must and hatred for fellow Christians is a sign of unbelief. For those that love to look down on sheep that are not in their upper tier of Christianity- get over yourselves, you are commanded to love your brethren and you have 66 books to learn how.
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth"(1 Jn 3:14–18).
Soli Deo Gloria!
For His Glry,
Fernando
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