The Failure of Public Argument

Scripture: When he said this, a dispute broke out between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. For the Sadducees say there is no resurrection, and no angel or spirit, but the Pharisees affirm them all. Acts 23:7-8

Observation: Paul recognizes there are both Pharisees and Sadducees present at his questioning, and so makes the declaration that the real source of his persecution is his claim in the resurrection of the dead. This is true - Paul has declared Jesus is resurrected and alive, as the Messiah. However, the fact that these two major religious groups disagree about this theological point kicks off a heated - and then violent - argument.

It is an interesting approach. Paul pronounces a statement in support of a theological principle, and then sits back and watches the religious leaders fall apart. They have lost sight of the "real" reason they are mad at Paul - he declares Jesus as Messiah - and have turned their attention to a single element of religious understanding about which they have specific and limited disagreement ... to the point that eventually the Romans come, ignore the foolish religious leaders, and get Paul out of there and let the Sanhedrin continue in chaos.

Application: This is, of course, how Satan attacks the Church. He identifies those areas where we have minor disagreement, tricks us into public argument, then allows outsiders to simply recognize that Christianity must be crazy. Some of our disagreements are obscure (proper baptism practices, prayer methods, sainthood), and some resonate with all people (leadership standards, the handling of moral failings, drinking and eating of certain things).

Church people engage, and non-believers scratch their heads and think "religion" is stupid. Every one of these arguments is immediately lost by all of us in the context of Jesus and the great commission.

Is one side right and the other wrong? Yes, but I am more convinced than ever that that 'yes' is conditional on situation. At levels that need to care and teach about scriptural authority, yes these things matter. At levels that need to address basic human needs and demonstrate God's love of all people ... no, these things not only may not matter, but likely hinder. As the Church, we need to start figuring this out.

Prayer: Lord, please forgive me, my brothers and sisters, and our entire community when we fail to demonstrate Jesus to the world. Jesus, your Church is comprised of flawed humans, of which I count myself in both membership and failings. May we find enough of the wisdom of your Spirit in our daily walk to at least not fight in public. Amen.