Wednesday, December 20, 2023

Disagreement

Do you find any social matters on which all Christians should agree? Where is disagreement permissible? 

In his sermon Catholic Spirit, John Wesley wrote, “Though we can’t think alike, may we not love alike? May we not be of one heart, though we are not of one opinion? Without all doubt, we may.”  In a memorial sermon for George Whitfield, with whom he often passionately disagreed, Wesley wrote, ““There are many doctrines of a less essential nature. ... In these, we may think and let think; we may 'agree to disagree.' But, meantime, let us hold fast the essentials. …”  So what are the essentials regarding social matters? I imagine on this we would disagree!  It seems to me that if we are earnestly trying to put love into action regarding a social matter, than if we come to a different conclusion, on many matters this is permissible disagreement. Personally, the matters I think Christians should agree center around the value of each person in the eyes of God; we should stand united against what is the exploitation of another – racism, slavery (and its modern versions), abuse, and that which harms the dignity of another. 

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1 Comments:

Blogger bob said...

Thank you for giving me something to think about.

5:14 AM  

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