Thoughts, Attitudes, Words, and Actions of Theological Triage

How do you handle someone who disagrees with you theologically? What do you do? How do you respond? What is important or not important? Here’s at least a thought-starter toward that.

Some background: Recently Dwayne Cline wrote for The Gospel Coalition the article Four Biblical Categories for Theological Triage: How to Read the Bible Theologically. In this article, Cline made a passionate plea for both understanding the Bible’s framework of differences or levels in theological positions and the necessity of handling these theological differences well. In this response or extension of his article, I will assume his four categories of theological differences accurate. However, I would challenge Cline and others to also consider the often-less-discussed manner of dealing with these difficulties.

My experience has been that often people strive for theological accuracy to the neglect of the methodological accuracy in conflict resolution. In other words, often the manner of resolution violates biblical fidelity in its execution. For that reason, this article explores five biblical principles to consider when dealing with theological differences.

1 – Before Speaking

Before speaking to another individual about theological differences, there are four questions that must be answered before confrontation.

1. What is your motivation for speaking? The proper motivation for talking to another person should be your concern for the other person’s soul. The writer of Hebrews warns, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb 3:12-13). Therefore, our concern should be motivated by a desire to see the other person live a more wholesome God-honoring life.
2. What is your attitude preparing to speak? The proper attitude reflects Paul’s description of what is necessary to walk worthy of our calling. He writes, “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all (Eph 4:1-6). Notice how Paul highlights the 1) humility, 2) gentleness, 3) patience, 4) forbearance in love, and 5) a commitment to protect the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. All five of these key attitudes are necessary to foster in preparing for confrontation.
3. Is your heart and life honoring to the Lord? Jesus explains that we are to never move toward another in confrontation without first dealing with our own heart and lifestyle (Matt 7:1-5). Paul provides similar advice to young Timothy. He writes, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Tim 4:16). Even in a context of heresy, Paul tells Timothy first to watch his heart and then his doctrine. Too many misfire at the heart and behavior level while striving to  maintain biblical fidelity at the doctrinal purity level.
4. What level of theological difference is this issue? Here, Cline’s theological triage comes into play. It is necessary to determine theologically what level of doctrinal priority the difference is (sound doctrine, disputable matters, unsound doctrine, or heresy).

2 – Speak

In a world where bad theology created havoc in the church, Paul told Titus, “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority…” (Tit 2:15). Paul’s solution: speak. Be courageous to say something in wisdom. In this text, Paul encourages older women to help younger women and older men to help younger men.

3 – Speak in Concern for the Sake of the Gospel

This principle relates to what Jesus prayed for the disciples as He prepared to go to the cross. Jesus prays, “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me” (John 17:20-24). In other words, we cannot give mere lip service to striving for unity. Instead, we must deal with theological differences with special concern for the sake of real, legitimate unity in Jesus Christ. Why? Because those who are on the outside should see evidence of true unity.

4 – Speak in Love

How then should we speak to each other? We must speak in love. It does not honor God in any way to speak truth without also placing it in the wrapper of love of God and love of neighbor. We never have the privilege to use our words as weapons without regard for love. Just as coated medicine gets past the taste buds and palate to better penetrate the cell level of the physical body, truth must be coated in love in order to reach into the soul of the other follower of Jesus. The goal is growth of the entire body into Christ. Paul writes, “But, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—” (Eph 4:15).

5 – Speak Wisely with Patience

When approaching another follower of Jesus, it is necessary to seek to discern the heart of the other person. The Apostle Paul writes, “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.” (1 Thess 5:14). Is the person unruly? …fearful? …timid? …weak? How would you assess the spirit of the other person? The heart of the other person determines the approach – regardless of how right or wise a person is. The heart of the person with whom there is a difference matters. In addition to discerning the potential heart issue of the other believer, Paul urges patience as well.

Yes, Deal with Levels of Theological Differences But Do So with Methodological Accuracy

Maybe like me, you too have heard or seen another person seek to deal with a theological difference in ways that dishonor the Lord either through sin or in lack of wisdom. Possibly you are that person. However, with a desire for Christlikeness and respect for the Gospel, we must prayerfully adjudicate our handling levels of theological difference according to godliness.

Let’s be right and godly in an effort to help others be the same.

Humility – Gentleness – Patience – Forbearance in love – Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace