Nudging Each Other Forward in Kingdom Truth

by
Brett Jacobsen

  

 

Our generation has an opportunity to bring real change throughout the church and subsequently the world around us. The security of yesterdays ‘less than biblical ways’ is becoming less appealing to true God fearers. Steadying the ark finally seems like a not so smart thing to do.

 

God is stirring His people to question and challenge the status quos of Dark Age doctrine and practice which is still widespread in the church. Although many will fight to “keep the peace” rather than obey the Prince of Peace, I’m convinced that many others will allow God to stir them to fight for truth in the Spirit of Love.

 

 

Jesus’ Love example

 

Much of modern Christianity has been robbed of a powerful Kingdom tool due to a misguided view of love. A modern humanistic bias has caused many to portray the God, who Himself is Love, as something He is not- a wussy, politically correct, conformist. Yes love is kind and gentle but it also can be forthright, stern and even chastening.

 

Despite the fact that we have many pages of scripture which show Jesus (who is Love) doing things that are apparently not so kind and gentle, we still struggle with the balance of Love. It is imperative that we find the equilibrium and remain open to the various ways in which God works… including the ones which are more direct and confrontational.

 

 

A case for forcefulness

 

Many may argue that we should just let everyone believe whatever they want: that we ought to “leave them alone”. While it is true that we can’t and should not try to force change on someone, we also see that there is a place for forcefulness in Christ’s Kingdom:

 

And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers [biazo- to force or press] violence [biazo], and the violent [biastes- a forcer] take [harpazo- seize, pull] it by force [harpazo]. (Matt 11:12)

 

Jesus clearly stated that His Kingdom needs to be forcefully pressed into. There is nothing passive or weak about it.

 

Now of course I’m not suggesting that we force doctrinal views on people who clearly don’t want sharpening. What I am calling for is for us as individuals to forcefully press into Kingdom truth. In order to do that effectively we must regularly expose ourselves to contrary doctrines and thoughts than our present ones. We ought to always put our theological thoughts out on the table to be challenged, corrected and/or confirmed. Hiding behind denominational walls will not allow this to happen. However, even those who have fled human institutions can become dissociate and stagnant in their pursuit of clearer truth. It is high time we re-employ biblical tools like dialogue and disputation throughout the wider body of Christ.

 

 

Dialogue and disputation

 

The most part of the modern church is found hiding in its various denominational divisions and so is left to its diverse dogmatic delusions. Rather than opening up ongoing dialogue to allow iron to sharpen doctrinal iron we have, for the most part, stood apart from one another to hold our doctrinal ground.

 

We have all but lost that wonderful biblical tool of dialogue and disputation in love. Anything that resembles disputation is usually condemned as divisive and/or disrespectful. But could the opposite be true and does the Bible give us a different, more useful picture of biblical disputes?

 

Below we see a number of times the word dialegomai is used in the New Testament. Here is the Strong’s Concordance explanation of the word:

 

1256. dialegomai, dee-al-eg’-om-ahee; mid. from G1223 and G3004; to say thoroughly, i.e. discuss (in argument or exhortation):–dispute, preach (unto), reason (with), speak.

 

And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned [dialegomai] with them out of the scriptures, (Acts 17:2)

 

Therefore disputed [dialegomai] he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. (Acts 17:17)

 

And he reasoned [dialegomai] in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. (Acts 18:4)

 

And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself entered into the synagogue, and reasoned [dialegomai] with the Jews. (Acts 18:19)

 

And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing [dialegomai] and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts19:8)

 

…disputing [dialegomai] daily in the school of one Tyrannus… (Acts 19:9-10)

 

And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached [dialegomai] unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (Acts 20:7)

 

…as Paul was long preaching [dialegomai]… (Acts 20:9)

 

And as he reasoned [dialegomai] of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee. (Acts24:25)

 

For the most part Paul was speaking with God fearers who needed more pieces of the Kingdom puzzle. He would frequent the synagogues (= modern “churches”) and dialegomai, aka dispute and reason, with the Jews and then the Greeks also. From Acts thirteen onwards we see that they did not just sit back and listen passively. There were surely some intense disputations about the fullness of Christ’s Kingdom.

 

Paul took it upon himself (rather God called him) to go to those with differing beliefs and doctrines and “discuss (in argument or exhortation)” doctrine. Why is it then that we shy away from this type of useful activity? We make excuses to deflect any contrary thought rather than embrace the sharpening iron of diverse doctrine and opposing thoughts. We Christians have been experts in pushing our beliefs on the world but then cowering from the biblical challenge of a loving brother.

 

So surely a big step in the way forward for Christ’s Kingdom and church is to re-embrace the biblical concept of dialogue and disputation, albeit in a spirit of love. Let’s see more saints freed up to discuss the Word rather than being spoon fed pet lifestyle sermons. Let’s have more non-denominational gatherings where biblical elders and Word labourers discuss, dispute and even respectfully debate important issues in the church. Let’s re-employ a great gift from God that will sharpen the body in every area. Let’s get down to some disputation.

 

 

 

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, February 24th, 2010 at 4:09 pm and is filed under Biblical Leadership, Brett Jacobsen's teaching, Church Structure, Living Christianity, Reformation/ Revival. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.