Cretan, or Christian?

I recently read some posts where self-identified evangelicals were criticizing a well-known Christian pastor/author. Several seemed clearly to have not even examined the materials for which they criticized the man. They tore down this pastor for preaching against a divisive spirit, yet they didn’t bother to fully investigate this man’s published views on core doctrines. I know this because in more than one case they accused him of views directly opposite those he clearly stated.

It reminded me how important is the difference between testing someone’s doctrine, and being divisive. The Bible is our authority. If someone rejects the clear teaching of the Word of God, then the Word itself divides. This happened throughout Jesus’ ministry. But if we treat unclear or nonessential doctrines - or worse, simple matters of opinion - with the same passion and commitment as core doctrines, and if we recklessly attack others who disagree, we are being what Paul in Titus 3:10 calls a “divisive person.” In Titus’ context, we are acting like Cretans.

The person Paul instructs Titus to reject – if they refuse to heed warnings – is NOT just a person with biblical questions or disagreements about minor issues, nor one who reads the Bible with understanding and holds his leaders accountable. Quite the contrary, this divisive person is focused on “foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law” (v.9). Summarily, this person stirs people up about things that are “unprofitable and worthless.”

Here’s the catch: such a person likely sees these things as very important, but they, in fact, are not. It begs the question, “Do I spend a lot of time and energy arguing about stuff that is WAY less important than the gospel and its core doctrines?” We had better be careful to only let essential doctrines divide us, and in every other case humbly love one another in spite of our disagreements.

Which are you more likely to fight for: Musical styles or Biblical Inerrancy? American politics or the absolute sovereignty of God? Your "rights" or the church's mandate to evangelize the world and to minister to the needy?

The context of the letter shows the divisive person is rebellious, malicious, slanderous, angry, and contentious, and manipulates others to his worthless views. This is a stark contrast to the self-controlled, respectful, kind and loving attitude that Paul commends to the Christian. Which list describes you?

We had better take seriously Jesus' prayer for our unity, and all of the NT commands to submit to one another in love and kindness. We had also better take seriously the command to reject divisive people - and make sure we cannot be counted in their number.

Are you acting like a Cretan, or like a Christian?

"In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity." (Rupertus Meldenius)