The Tightrope of Separation: Separated Unto God
From Voice, Mar/Apr 2014. Used by permission.
Recently I read an article which began with these words:
Some time ago a man said to me, “I drink beer in the pub in my spare time. Some guys I know go out chasing women. So what’s the difference? Your hobby is Christianity.” To think that a man could look at me and say that Christianity was just a pleasant spare time occupation like collecting stamps or yachting. Is that my definition of Christianity? Do I put it second, or do I put it first?
This quotation points out the fact that if our faith does not change our lives, even the world questions the genuineness of our profession.
Discussion
Biblical Separation Among the Methodists?
Body
“Our takeaway regarding those who have left the United Methodist Church is that we applaud them. There are certainly other issues that would divide us theologically and practically, but commendation is in order” - P&D
Discussion
Sadly, Churches Divided by Doctrine Are Going to Split
Body
“Splits will occur because of core beliefs on both sides. Progressives truly believe doctrines must evolve to avoid causing pain to modern believers. Orthodox thinkers in various traditions truly believe they cannot edit what the New Testament describes as the ‘faith which was once delivered.’” - Terry Mattingly
Discussion
A New Methodist Denomination Emerges
Body
“delegates at the GMC General Conference across six days seemed to feel joyful and hopeful. First, they seemed to feel liberated.” - The Dispatch
Discussion
Triage in the Trenches: When do Second-Tier Issues Divide?
Body
“The Gospel Coalition and Together For the Gospel…. In both cases, baptismal differences are not regarded as barriers to participation, whereas differences over manhood and womanhood are. What might account for this difference (and others like it)?” - Christ Over All
Discussion
When Catholicity Leads to Compromise
Body
“All who love the gospel must pray for a greater sense of the virtuousness of catholicity. And yet in an era where marginalized believers look for as many allies as possible, I fear more of us might need to pray that our catholicity doesn’t become a vehicle for compromise.” - 9 Marks
Discussion
SBC Cooperation Group to survey Southern Baptist churches
Body
“The group is working to present a report to messengers next June… that could reassert or more closely define what it means for a church to be in friendly cooperation with the SBC” - BPNews
Discussion
Ecclesiological Triage
Body
“I’d like to try and bring light rather than heat to the question of cooperation between churches in these polarized times. How do we decide when and to what extent to cooperate with churches that are more or less like-minded?” - 9 Marks
Discussion
A Few Thoughts on The MacArthur Center’s New Podcast Episode on Theological Triage
Body
“It was my pleasure to contribute to ‘The Drivetrain’ episode on theological triage. Al Mohler popularized this terminology for distinguishing the importance of Bible teachings in his 2005 article ‘A Call for Theological Triage and Christian Maturity.’” - Andy Naselli
Discussion