N.T. Wright on Debate about Homosexuality

N.T. Wright on Women in Ministry

How to take a stand on difficult issues (part 4)

Have I clearly identified and defined the issue?

Before taking a stand on any difficult issue, it is essential that we take some time to clearly understand and define the issue. It might be good to answer these questions:

a.       Is this issue an essential? In the Restoration Movement, we have always operated under the slogan: “In essentials unity, in opinions liberty, and in all things love.” This slogan isn’t of course unique to the Restoration Movement. There is wisdom in this principle. There are such things as essentials and opinions in theology, and it is important to know the difference between the two. We don’t have the same disposition towards essentials and opinions. There is a flexibility and freedom in opinions that doesn’t necessarily exist in the essentials of the faith. This principle also highlights the superiority of love in all things. But like all principles, this one has within it a major flaw. What exactly counts as an essential or an opinion? And who gets to decide? Some groups see adult immersion as an essential. Some groups see glossolalia as essential. Some groups see dispensational eschatology as an essential. Others see specific church governance structures as essential. The only point that I wish to make here is that when we are taking a stand on any issue we should pause to ask ourselves, “How essential is this issue to me?” and “How essential is this issue to others?” Maybe I could phrase it another way: How willing are you to damn another over this issue? And if an issue is an essential to you, can you justify that position? There are certainly issues that are this important, but I would humbly suggest that these issues are relatively few. Most issues that we will have to take a stand on fall into the category of opinion. Don’t get me wrong though. Just because it is an opinion does not mean that we shouldn’t have an opinion – even a strong, passionate one. But it does mean that we should have more charity with opposing views.

b.      Does this issue involve a principle or a practice? Some passages teach principles. They are broad in their scope and application. Some passages, on the other hand teach specific practices in specific contexts. Maybe the best example of this involves the role of women in the Church. Galatians 3 teaches a broad principle. When Paul says that within the Church there is neither male nor female he is saying nothing about day-to-day ministry within particular congregations. This is one phrase among several in this text which is stating a broad principle of unity and equality within the family of faith. In 1 Corinthians 14 however he restricts the role of women within that particular congregation. This text is focused on practice and application. It is narrower in its intent than Galatians 3. Many debates are the consequence of one side arguing a principle (“Women and men are equal.”) and the other side arguing a practice (“Women and men, while equal, do different things within the church.”).

c.       Is this a good/better issue? May Christians watch R rated movies? May Christians drink alcohol or smoke cigars? May Christians go to casinos? These types of ethical questions cause no end of debates between Christians. Some would argue on the side of freedom. Some others would argue on the side of righteousness. One side would accuse the other of legalism. The other side would respond with accusations of cheap grace and self-indulgence.  I would argue that usually these debates are framed up in the wrong way. We talk about these things as good or bad, right or wrong. It may be more constructive to talk about them as wise or foolish. This seems to be the approach that Paul uses with the Corinthian church. Certain things may be permissible, but are they beneficial?

d.      Is this issue implicit or explicit? There is not a verse in the Bible that explicitly forbids abortion. There is not a verse in the Bible that explicitly forbids the institution of slavery. In fact, some passages seem to support the institution. There are some issues that are only implicit in scripture. Implicit issues require that we understand how the Bible creates a sort of “hermeneutical trajectory” for many issues. For instance, the Bible doesn’t forbid abortion. But the Bible does establish that all people have been created in God’s image and are precious to Him. The Bible does establish principles of justice especially for the vulnerable and the weak. The Bible also forbids murder. Based on these clear teachings of scripture, we can discern a trajectory that when read in our day would forbid the practice of abortion.

e.      How are key terms being defined? I have a good friend who begins virtually every theological discussion with the question “What do you mean by that?” We occasionally give him a hard time about it, but it is actually a very good question to ask. There are so many times where two people will be discussing an issue being totally oblivious to the fact that they are defining the terms completely differently. For instance, when I say “pacifism” what comes to your mind? How would you define it? Chances are good that your definition may be completely different than the definition of someone else. Definitions matter. If we are going to take a stand on difficult issues, we have to take care to understand the way that we are using key terms. Pause to ask the question, “What do you mean by that?” You may also want to pause and ask yourself the question, “What do I mean by that?”


Part 3
Part 2
Part 1