Is this a heaven and hell issue?
Lately I have heard this sort of response offered quite frequently by a particular person within my church. I suggested that seeker-sensitive churches were not God's design and that this was an important issue. In response, this person asked that question: "Is this a heaven and hell issue?" By this he was asking whether the wrong opinion on the topic would result in the person ending up in hell. Although this question does have a serious concern behind it; it approaches theological concerns in the wrong manner and with the wrong assumptions.
The serious concern behind the question is a question of emphasis and application. Sometimes a person will focus all of their attention on minor issues to the exclusion of the central issues of the Christian faith. This does not mean serious thought on minor issues is wrong. It just means that our discussion of minor issues can't overwhelm the major ones. Other times a person will use discussion of an issue, whether major or minor, as a substitute for doing what is required. For example, someone will discuss the urgency of evangelism instead of speaking to an friend about an issue that may lead to evangelism. These concerns are serious, but in the context of your average Christian they are unfounded.
To ask whether a topic is a "heaven or hell issue" wrongly assumes that the goal of the Christian faith is to get as many people as possible into heaven and out of hell. It further assumes that the most efficient way to accomplish this is by discussing only what is relevant to that task. The second assumption is not one that I am concerned about. The first assumption is simply wrong. It is a gross misunderstanding of the Christian faith. The goal of the Christian faith is to worship God and to serve him fully. While we are yet on a fallen earth part of that service is following the Great Commission. This Commission asks the Church to make disciples of all nations. Making disciples is not complete with a response to an altar call! That is only the beginning. And even if it were, that would still not be the goal of the Christian life.
Asking whether a topic is a "heaven or hell issue" also approaches theological concerns in the wrong manner. We do not approach God and ask him to skip all of the unimportant stuff so that we can get to the part that really matters. We do not approach the Bible that way either. Since theology is simply a systemic understanding of God and his word, we cannot approach it that way either. Instead, we approach him to learn, to shape out understanding and to alter our lives. Approaching in the other manner simply exchanges knowledge for ignorance and wisdom for foolishness.
Rather than asking whether an issue is a "heaven or hell issue", ask how it is connected to the major issues of the faith. Ask how our understanding of this issue will alter our behaviour. This asks with the right approach and with the right assumptions. It also addresses the substantial concerns behind the horribly bad question of "is this a heaven or hell issue?"
The serious concern behind the question is a question of emphasis and application. Sometimes a person will focus all of their attention on minor issues to the exclusion of the central issues of the Christian faith. This does not mean serious thought on minor issues is wrong. It just means that our discussion of minor issues can't overwhelm the major ones. Other times a person will use discussion of an issue, whether major or minor, as a substitute for doing what is required. For example, someone will discuss the urgency of evangelism instead of speaking to an friend about an issue that may lead to evangelism. These concerns are serious, but in the context of your average Christian they are unfounded.
To ask whether a topic is a "heaven or hell issue" wrongly assumes that the goal of the Christian faith is to get as many people as possible into heaven and out of hell. It further assumes that the most efficient way to accomplish this is by discussing only what is relevant to that task. The second assumption is not one that I am concerned about. The first assumption is simply wrong. It is a gross misunderstanding of the Christian faith. The goal of the Christian faith is to worship God and to serve him fully. While we are yet on a fallen earth part of that service is following the Great Commission. This Commission asks the Church to make disciples of all nations. Making disciples is not complete with a response to an altar call! That is only the beginning. And even if it were, that would still not be the goal of the Christian life.
Asking whether a topic is a "heaven or hell issue" also approaches theological concerns in the wrong manner. We do not approach God and ask him to skip all of the unimportant stuff so that we can get to the part that really matters. We do not approach the Bible that way either. Since theology is simply a systemic understanding of God and his word, we cannot approach it that way either. Instead, we approach him to learn, to shape out understanding and to alter our lives. Approaching in the other manner simply exchanges knowledge for ignorance and wisdom for foolishness.
Rather than asking whether an issue is a "heaven or hell issue", ask how it is connected to the major issues of the faith. Ask how our understanding of this issue will alter our behaviour. This asks with the right approach and with the right assumptions. It also addresses the substantial concerns behind the horribly bad question of "is this a heaven or hell issue?"
posted by Matthew at 2:12 PM
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