In the 1930's, the key issue that divided many churches was pre-millennialism, an understanding of end-time events that believes Jesus will return to earth to establish a literal thousand year reign over a literal earthly kingdom. Churches were split and relationships lost over this issue. I met a brother several years ago who, as a young man in the 1930's, was forced out of the church that brought him to the Lord because he held the "wrong view" on the end time. His eyes glistened with tears as he told me the story more than 50 years later.
In 1933, Foy E. Wallace and Charles Neal met to debate this issue. Neal began his first speech with an appeal for unity and mutual understanding among brothers who differed in how they approached the texts that taught about the end time. Wallace, who had led the charge to eradicate pre-millennialism among our churches, made it clear what would have to happen before there could be unity among us--
Do we really want to make salvation depend on a correct understanding of the book of Revelation as it relates to the end-time? Do we really want to make fellowship and unity also depend on our understanding it alike? Unity will never come from our agreement on the issues or our similarity in church practice. Unity is the creation of God; only Christ makes us one. This unity is lived out in practical terms when we "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Rom 15:7). If Christ accepts us despite our flaws, then we must be willing to accept each other that way as well. We must fellowship our “erring brethren” because that's the only kind we have!
In 1933, Foy E. Wallace and Charles Neal met to debate this issue. Neal began his first speech with an appeal for unity and mutual understanding among brothers who differed in how they approached the texts that taught about the end time. Wallace, who had led the charge to eradicate pre-millennialism among our churches, made it clear what would have to happen before there could be unity among us--
I would like to say, with all kindness and reverence, as I begin my part of the discussion, that if Mr. Neal and those who stand with him had always preached only as I have been preaching, and as those brethren that stand with me on these issues have preached, there would have been no alienation.”Wallace basically says, “We can have unity when and only when you agree with me!” That does not sound much like either kindness nor reverence, does it? That rather smacks of the Pharisaic arrogance that is destined to perpetually divide and alienate! If unity and fellowship is only possibly when we can agree on everything, then we may as well turn our the light, cause the party is over!
Do we really want to make salvation depend on a correct understanding of the book of Revelation as it relates to the end-time? Do we really want to make fellowship and unity also depend on our understanding it alike? Unity will never come from our agreement on the issues or our similarity in church practice. Unity is the creation of God; only Christ makes us one. This unity is lived out in practical terms when we "Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God." (Rom 15:7). If Christ accepts us despite our flaws, then we must be willing to accept each other that way as well. We must fellowship our “erring brethren” because that's the only kind we have!
2 comments:
Let me make sure that I understand you correctly, There was a 50 year old wound had not yet been resolved?
Putting out a young man for having the wrong view on an issue insures that his issues will not be known to you and yours, it also means that he will not be exposed to those who could show him a view other than the only one he is seeing. Basically, it left him alone and wounded and in the dark for 50 years.
The understanding of end-time events that believes Jesus will return to earth to establish a literal thousand year reign over a literal earthly kingdom has been around for some time because Revelations was read and taught without a firm (and in some cases without any) understanding of the history of that time (events that had already been written about, those that had already passed, etc. . . literal and figurative language.. . . ). When someone goes off or is lead off on uneducated and or partially educated tangents leading others in that direction someone has to ask that person to stand down and if it goes unchecked or unchallenged those in the dark will be lead farther and farther away with those who are following them. I ask you all to read Romans 15 from the first verse to the last. I will underline 5 and 6.
Tuck, your interpretation of what Wallace was saying was ‘right on’ I thought it was a joke but if that is what he said that is that and it does smack like the Pharisaic arrogance and no one wants to stand with the arrogant (even when they are the only ones teaching truth and sound doctrine) in fact no one even wants to dress like them. . . maybe that is why everyone is taking off their ties. . . and their coats. Many are today dressing like they are going to the beach.
Post a Comment