Zeal For Truth

Wisdom when Christians Differ, and a Conclusion
This section, on what to do when Christians have different positions on issues (which are often all backed biblically, at least in the view of some), was truly excellent. Many reviewers point this section out as their favorite in the book. I also enjoyed this section, but I cannot say if I liked it better than the section critiquing the traditional view.

The Wisdom View when Christian Differ
A major idea of the book is that when scripture makes no clear command, Christians have the freedom (using wisdom and on the basis of spiritual expediency) to make their own choices. There is not always agreement on what scripture clearly teaches, however. The authors spend the last two chapters of the book (other than a conclusion chapter) addressing this important problem.

Based on Romans 14, the authors lay out how we should deal with issues on which Christians disagree. I think something like their ideas are commonly accepted. We should:

1) Learn to distinguish between matters of command and matters of freedom.
2) On debatable issues, cultivate your own convictions.
3) Allow your brother the freedom to determine his own convictions - even when they differ from yours.
4) Follow Christ as the model and motivator of servanthood.

Weaker Brothers, Stronger Brothers, and Pharisees

The interesting part of this section though, is the definitions the book gives of weaker brothers, stronger brothers, and Pharisees (for which the authors wish they had a nicer name).

Weaker Brothers
Weaker brothers are not those who hold to a different view on an issue than you, those who are offended by your use of freedom (ie. drinking alcohol), or simply new believers. Weaker brothers are marked by four characteristics:

1) They are weak in faith. Not in saving faith, but in not being able to see their full liberty in Christ.
2) They lack knowledge. An example is those who didn’t know idols were nothing, and so didn’t want to eat food that had been sacrificed to them.
3) They are weak in conscience. That is, their conscience is overly sensitive, prohibiting things not prohibited in scripture.
4) They are weak in will. They can be influenced to act against their conscience.

Stronger Brothers
Stronger brothers are strong in those very areas in which weaker brothers are weak. They have the responsibility to not produce stumbling blocks for weaker brothers. Stumbling blocks are actions by stronger believers, which would otherwise be permissible uses of freedom, which cause a weaker brother to sin against his conscience.

Thus, although Christians were free to eat meat, including that sold from markets that may have previously been sacrificed to idols, they were not to eat in an idol’s temple because a weaker brother might be influenced to sin against his conscience.

Pharisees
A third group is given attention by the authors: Pharisees. They are believers with strong convictions who take offense at those who resist their pressure to conform to their views. Unlike weaker brothers, they are not influenced by others’ use of freedom, but they nevertheless seek to force their views on others.

A Summary Using the Drinking Alcohol Issue:
The authors don’t use this example, it’s my example based on what the book teaches.

Weaker Brothers - Believe drinking alcohol is wrong, or at least are not fully convince that it is ok do to so. They can be influenced into drinking if they see other believers doing so. Strong brothers are required by love to avoid drinking in their presence and potentially causing them to sin against their conscience.

Stronger Brothers - Are fully convinced that drinking alcohol is a matter in which they have freedom (as long as they aren’t getting drunk, of course). Or, they may be those who are fully convinced that drinking is wrong (at least for them), but are not influenced by other believers drinking, and do not seek to impose their view on this issue on others.

Pharisees - Are fully convinced that drinking alcohol is wrong. They cannot be influenced by other believers into drinking (and thus sinning against their conscience). They also seek to impose their view of the issue on others, even those whose conscience is fully convinced that drinking is fine. The book says that stronger brothers may choose to limit their freedom to get along better with Pharisees. They are not required to do so however, because Pharisees take offense when none is given.

It is important to note that “weaker brother” should not be a permanent label for someone; they are to be trained and become stronger brothers. They should not change their actions though, until they are fully convinced, so that they do not sin against their conscience. Obviously, Pharisees aren’t supposed to stay Pharisees either.

Jesus and the Pharisees

The book gives an interesting account of how Jesus dealt with Pharisees. It was a case of escalation. At first they asked him questions (why are you doing that?) and Jesus simply told them. Then they began to observe Jesus to see him breaking their rules, so that they could accuse him. Jesus responded with grief and anger, and publicly justified his actions (the episode of healing a man on the Sabbath).

The Pharisees then conspired against Jesus. Jesus responded by withdrawing from them. The Pharisees next turned to slander, by attributing Jesus’ miracles to the power of Satan. Jesus refuted them and rebuked them for the first time. The Pharisees then accused Jesus’ disciples of violating their traditions. Jesus called them hypocrites and warned his disciples about them for the first time.

The Pharisees then turned to trying to trick Jesus into blundering by giving him trick questions (should we pay taxes?). Jesus avoided their attempts to trap him, and publicly warned the multitudes against the teachings of the Pharisees. The Pharisees then actively sought Jesus’ destruction, and Jesus delivered scathing denouncements of the Pharisees and their practices.

How Believers Should Act Towards the Pharisees

The authors give some points on how believers should behave towards Pharisees based on Jesus’ actions. Notice, he did not go out of his way to avoid doing things that would offend them.

1) Be careful not to become a Pharisee.
2) Explain your convictions when asked.
3) Don’t conform to their errant views.
4) Try to have peaceful relationships with them.
5) Instruct others on the dangers of Pharisaism.

And for “aggressive Pharisees”

6) If Pharisees are causing spiritual damage to others, the church, or God’s reputation, then confront them privately and seek to help them change.
7) If private reproof does not work, then church discipline is called for.

I found this section really interesting, especially the differences between stronger brothers, weaker brothers, and Pharisees.

Conclusion

The last chapter in the book is named “Conclusion” and is a nice four page wrap-up of the book. It repeats the high points of the book. It provides a basic summary of the wisdom view (quoted before in part 3):

1. In those areas specifically addressed by the Bible, the revealed commands of God (His moral will) are to be obeyed.

2. In those areas where the Bible gives no command or principle (nonmoral decisions), the believer is free and responsible to choose his own course of action. Any decision made within the moral will of God is acceptable to God.

3. In nonmoral decisions, the objective of the Christian is to make wise decisions on the basis of spiritual expediency.

4. In all decisions, the believer should humbly submit, in advance, to the outworking of God’s sovereign will as it touches each decision.

I found this book to be quite helpful, and especially enjoyed the sections critiquing the Traditional View, and about what to do when Christians disagree. I would highly recommend this book to all believers.