Don Davis
12-12-2007, 03:57 PM
In recruiting students for satellites, certain things are givens. They must know the Lord Jesus through faith, be members of a believing assembly with legitimate spiritual authority that is centered in Christ and based on Scripture. They must be serving as either lay or commissioned leaders, and be open to training in our contexts. These are givens.
Beyond these, though, we are open to theological and spiritual diversity. Our students will undoubtedly come from a number of traditions, representing stark differences in theological conviction and spiritual practice. Let's make no bones about it--theology is completely important. It is critical to credible faith (Romans 10:17), to apostolic community (Jude 1:3-4), and to godly leadership (Titus 1:9). What we believe is the core of our life, ministry, and destiny.
Truly, there is great diversity in the Christian traditions, and our students will reflect that in their theology. We are diverse in our patterns of religious authority (i.e., how we make decisions and recognize rulership) as well as diverse in our hermeneutical methods (i.e., how we read and interpret the Scriptures). Furthermore, we are diverse in our lived traditions (i.e., how we worship and serve the same Lord of all), and in the expression of our deepest theological positions.
The "essential rule of faith" for us is credal and historical. In one sense, our students are all being grounded in the Nicene Creed (325 C.E.), a sound and comprehensive test of biblical truth for centuries. Also, the Vincentian Rule is a helpful guideline for respecting diversity while, at the same time, defending the orthodox faith. "All possible care must be taken that we hold that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all." -- Vincent of Lerins, "A Commonitory," Nicene and post-Nicene Fathers.
The core of Christian belief which the Nicene Creed represents is a concise summary of the essentials of our faith, affirmed by Augustine, Calvin, and Wesley. In our Affirmation of Faith Statement we acknowledge these essentials, which affirms the "Great Tradition," and asserts both the Reformer's central doctrinal claims and post-Nicea doctrinal issues.
We ought not try to bleach distinctives out of our students; as long as they represent a church anchored in broad evangelical perspective, we can welcome and equip them. A statement variously associated with many for quotation captures the power of inter-denominationality. Here I attribute it to Rupertus Meldenius:
1. In essentials unity: allow for no compromise on the Great Traditions, Phil.2.3; Jude 3
2. In non-essentials liberty: allow for all freedom on issues of conscience, Gal. 5.1
3. In all things charity: allow for only love and charity to other believers, John 13.34-35
Unity, liberty, and charity, what a mighty threesome! Let's be careful in our sites to exercise theological hospitality but also genuine commitment to the apostolic tradition and biblical truth. In dealing with disagreement, let's realize that some difference of opinion over controversial issues of theology will be inevitable. We ought to expect some conflict over doctrinal visions from traditions which historically have viewed some things differently. Let us, however, affirm the need for open, charitable dialogue, seeking to reason with others in principled conviction over matters of faith and doctrine.
Dialogue, of course, involves both content and method of delivery. We ought to maintain a humble, open demeanor, maintaining in all things a spirit of charity and respect. And, since our sites are not places to strip people of their allegiances to traditions, let us learn to engage honest but, in the end, to to our students' sponsoring denominations in their views over non-essentials.
In the end, every site coordinator and mentor must learn the power of respecting diversity but living the truth. The cardinal virtue of this work is humility.
Beyond these, though, we are open to theological and spiritual diversity. Our students will undoubtedly come from a number of traditions, representing stark differences in theological conviction and spiritual practice. Let's make no bones about it--theology is completely important. It is critical to credible faith (Romans 10:17), to apostolic community (Jude 1:3-4), and to godly leadership (Titus 1:9). What we believe is the core of our life, ministry, and destiny.
Truly, there is great diversity in the Christian traditions, and our students will reflect that in their theology. We are diverse in our patterns of religious authority (i.e., how we make decisions and recognize rulership) as well as diverse in our hermeneutical methods (i.e., how we read and interpret the Scriptures). Furthermore, we are diverse in our lived traditions (i.e., how we worship and serve the same Lord of all), and in the expression of our deepest theological positions.
The "essential rule of faith" for us is credal and historical. In one sense, our students are all being grounded in the Nicene Creed (325 C.E.), a sound and comprehensive test of biblical truth for centuries. Also, the Vincentian Rule is a helpful guideline for respecting diversity while, at the same time, defending the orthodox faith. "All possible care must be taken that we hold that faith which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all." -- Vincent of Lerins, "A Commonitory," Nicene and post-Nicene Fathers.
The core of Christian belief which the Nicene Creed represents is a concise summary of the essentials of our faith, affirmed by Augustine, Calvin, and Wesley. In our Affirmation of Faith Statement we acknowledge these essentials, which affirms the "Great Tradition," and asserts both the Reformer's central doctrinal claims and post-Nicea doctrinal issues.
We ought not try to bleach distinctives out of our students; as long as they represent a church anchored in broad evangelical perspective, we can welcome and equip them. A statement variously associated with many for quotation captures the power of inter-denominationality. Here I attribute it to Rupertus Meldenius:
1. In essentials unity: allow for no compromise on the Great Traditions, Phil.2.3; Jude 3
2. In non-essentials liberty: allow for all freedom on issues of conscience, Gal. 5.1
3. In all things charity: allow for only love and charity to other believers, John 13.34-35
Unity, liberty, and charity, what a mighty threesome! Let's be careful in our sites to exercise theological hospitality but also genuine commitment to the apostolic tradition and biblical truth. In dealing with disagreement, let's realize that some difference of opinion over controversial issues of theology will be inevitable. We ought to expect some conflict over doctrinal visions from traditions which historically have viewed some things differently. Let us, however, affirm the need for open, charitable dialogue, seeking to reason with others in principled conviction over matters of faith and doctrine.
Dialogue, of course, involves both content and method of delivery. We ought to maintain a humble, open demeanor, maintaining in all things a spirit of charity and respect. And, since our sites are not places to strip people of their allegiances to traditions, let us learn to engage honest but, in the end, to to our students' sponsoring denominations in their views over non-essentials.
In the end, every site coordinator and mentor must learn the power of respecting diversity but living the truth. The cardinal virtue of this work is humility.