What's my obligation with other Christians?

[Warrior4God]

I was wondering. I get in so many debates with other Christians about theological things. About things that I can't even believe they're debating with me about. Like whether certain things are sin or not, even though the Bible pretty much shows that they are sin. It gets so wearisome. They sound like broken records with their twisting of scripture and I sound like a broken record with my trying to shoot down their nonsense. I'm really, really tired of arguing with them. Am I obligated to try to clear up their willful ignorance or can I just shrug my shoulders and say, "Whatever" and drop it?

[Indueseason]

Your only obligated to tell them what scripture says, you can't make them believe it. I agree it get wearisome, when people continue to reject the truth of the scriptures, so they can keep hold of their own pet doctrine. If you resent the truth, and they don't want it, you can walk away, knowing you tried. Some people we will never get through to, they are too set in their ways, but we can pray and ask the Lord to open their eye.

blessings to you

[Proverbs31Woman]

I agree. we all have different perspectives and I think sometimes it is best to just end the conversation instead of beating things to death.

The last message board I was on was a Catholic and Protestant debate board. No one was going to change anyone's mind but we spent decades debating about the same doctrines over and over and over again. We started out as friends but by the time the board was shut down a few months ago nobody could post anything without things becoming World War 3. It just led to bitterness.

[Watchman]

We are obligated to speak the truth in love. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to convict & convince.

W

[Dani H]

Jesus already told us that we're to love each other. End of story.

If you can't properly love people who are family, who worship and follow the same Lord you worship, how can you love your enemies? Because that's a commandment too. We don't even get credit for loving those who love us (Jesus said that too). So ... how we going to step it up? Can't happen.

[tango]

I was wondering. I get in so many debates with other Christians about theological things. About things that I can't even believe they're debating with me about. Like whether certain things are sin or not, even though the Bible pretty much shows that they are sin. It gets so wearisome. They sound like broken records with their twisting of scripture and I sound like a broken record with my trying to shoot down their nonsense. I'm really, really tired of arguing with them. Am I obligated to try to clear up their willful ignorance or can I just shrug my shoulders and say, "Whatever" and drop it?

Sometimes people need to twist Scripture quite spectacularly to support whatever point they want to make, other times issues relate to a question like whether a particular verse is still relevant today. To take an example that I've seen more than once, Lev 19:28 makes it pretty clear that tattoos are a no-no although the people who like to quote it typically also like to overlook Lev 19:27 which forbids cutting the edges of our beards, and few people today expect women to be set apart during their period despite this being explicitly required in Lev 15:19.

Where it comes to figuring out which rules are eternal and which are contextual to the society of the day things can get pretty heated, on the basis that a simple disagreement can lead to one person regarding something as a clear sin and another regarding it as something that no longer applies. With a little bit of contextual twisting and reasoning there are all sorts of things one could come to regard as accepable on the basis society has changed, even if it does require all sorts of manoeuvrings to make the point.

The ultimate question goes back to the reason for looking to Scripture in the first place. Oscar Wilde referred to how a drunkard uses a lamppost more for support than illumination - if someone goes to Scripture looking for support for their own position they will probably find it even if they do have to twist the words. If someone goes to Scripture looking for illumination, looking for truth even if it means they have to change their position they are more likely to find enlightenment.

[tango]

One other thing I'd throw in - you don't specifically mention what areas you're discussing so depending on what they are I'd urge you to also be sure you're looking to Scripture for illumination and not just for support.

It's very easy for one side in a theological argument to say "The Bible says X" only for the other side to say "The Bible says not-X", both to cherry-pick verses to support their own cases and the end result generating a lot of heat and very little light indeed. For bonus marks either or both sides needs to suggest that "The Spirit has revealed to me that..." only for the other side to counter it with an equal and opposite counterclaim.

Ultimately all you can do is say your bit and leave it at that. You might sway someone with clever reasoning but don't forget that the devil is a master of clever reasoning, the devil knows Scripture better than you do but will still twist it, selectively quote it, misapply it etc to help you miss the point of it. I forget who it was who first said "a man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion still".

And of course there comes a point when all we are doing is casting pearls before swine.

[Boo]

And sometimes we neglect to see that the swine might just be us!

If you have learned your "truth" of scriptures from a preacher or a church Statement of Beliefs instead of from the words in scripture, your truth might just be man's truth and not God's.

Before we get upset with those with whom we argue, it might pay dividends to make sure that we really know why we believe what we do. It is really wonderful to see someone, who thought that he or she knew the truth, find a scripture that finally turns on the light of truth. For that person, it might be a "duh!" moment, but for me; I get to watch someone who was just blessed with understanding.

I have been the person having the "duh!" moment. When you are debating, keep in mind that both of you believe that you know the truth. Until God gives one or both of you your blessing of understanding, you might be the one who goes "duh!"

If it is the other person, the credit goes to God and not to ourselves. We are only servants (and brothers and sisters) passing on the Master's message.

[tango]

And sometimes we neglect to see that the swine might just be us!

Very true, and it's frighteningly easy to attempt to test Christianity to see if it is compatible with our worldview, rather than testing our worldview to see if it is compatible with the teachings of Christ. I deliberately used two different terms there, on the basis that what people refer to as "Christianity" doesn't always align well with the teachings of Christ.

[Warrior4God]

Well, I'm at a point where I'm done trying to convince other Christians that they're wrong about a particular understanding of scripture and I'm done trying to warn them about engaging in activity that is sinful. I'm tired of trying to be my brother's keeper only to have them spiritually spit in my face. I don't need that sort of aggravation. If they want to twist scripture to fit their personal views so they can sin and try to justify it, let God deal with them. I know scripture says we're supposed to lovingly correct wayward Christians, but I'm so done with doing that. Let somebody else do it.

[Boo]

Well, I'm at a point where I'm done trying to convince other Christians that they're wrong about a particular understanding of scripture and I'm done trying to warn them about engaging in activity that is sinful. I'm tired of trying to be my brother's keeper only to have them spiritually spit in my face. I don't need that sort of aggravation. If they want to twist scripture to fit their personal views so they can sin and try to justify it, let God deal with them. I know scripture says we're supposed to lovingly correct wayward Christians, but I'm so done with doing that. Let somebody else do it.

Sounds like you need some quiet time and work on your own serenity and walk. We all get to that point at some time, I reckon.

May God bless your day, brother.

[mrsarnold]

Well, I'm at a point where I'm done trying to convince other Christians that they're wrong about a particular understanding of scripture and I'm done trying to warn them about engaging in activity that is sinful. I'm tired of trying to be my brother's keeper only to have them spiritually spit in my face. I don't need that sort of aggravation. If they want to twist scripture to fit their personal views so they can sin and try to justify it, let God deal with them. I know scripture says we're supposed to lovingly correct wayward Christians, but I'm so done with doing that. Let somebody else do it.

Warrior, I understand what you're saying and know it can be difficult. Simply put the Scripture based truth out there and let that be your final word. If the discourse comes to senseless tit for tat then you politely put a halt to the conversation and walk away. I don't believe we serve any good purpose at all in arguing and getting into fights with other believers. You cannot force another person to believe or do anything. They have to choose for themselves and ultimately the issue is between them and God. I would certainly pray earnestly from the heart that the Holy Spirit would open their eyes to the truth though. There is nothing to stop you interceding is there?

Peace be with you and God bless.

[Proverbs31Woman]

We are obligated to speak the truth in love. It is the role of the Holy Spirit to convict & convince.

W

I completely agree! Although, I think that is something that we as Christians can often forget.

[adampjr]

I was wondering. I get in so many debates with other Christians about theological things. About things that I can't even believe they're debating with me about. Like whether certain things are sin or not, even though the Bible pretty much shows that they are sin. It gets so wearisome. They sound like broken records with their twisting of scripture and I sound like a broken record with my trying to shoot down their nonsense. I'm really, really tired of arguing with them. Am I obligated to try to clear up their willful ignorance or can I just shrug my shoulders and say, "Whatever" and drop it?

You haven't been specific here, but you must consider the possibility that they're right. There's a lot of different ways of looking at different passages, multiple ways to interpret them, questions of who this and that was intended for, and all sorts of legitimate points of disagreement between christians. I'd be careful about assuming anyone who disagrees with you about sin and theology is being "willfully ingorant."

[Warrior4God]

You haven't been specific here, but you must consider the possibility that they're right. There's a lot of different ways of looking at different passages, multiple ways to interpret them, questions of who this and that was intended for, and all sorts of legitimate points of disagreement between christians. I'd be careful about assuming anyone who disagrees with you about sin and theology is being "willfully ingorant."

I agree that there are likely some things in scripture open to interpretation and can honestly be debated. Some things, however, are glaringly obvious as to whether or not they're sin. And yet, some people want to debate it because it doesn't fit their liking.