Posted by Yong TM (202.172.43.132) on January 30, 2003 at 11:21:46:
In Reply to: Doctrine posted by sy on January 27, 2003 at 18:53:53:
This is a good question, but answers differ widely, depending on your doctrinal stand.
On the far right, conservatives would advocate not only no dialogue, but complete separation. To some extent, the Bible Presbyterians in Singapore move along this line. Some call this Biblical Separation.
On the far left, liberals could not care less about doctrinal lines, and would advocate complete collaboration, even with people of different faith.
There is no doubt that Christians are called to be salt and light of the world. In this, it is very important for Christians (especially Christian leaders) to be able to stand up and exemplify the correct biblical understanding. Therefore, there is certainly a need to stand firm and proclaim biblical standards. This is one of the reasons why this web-site was formed, and why Dr Tong labours so very hard at his expository preaching. Our stand is a Sola Scriptura (By the Word Alone) stand, and we affirm it strongly by preaching and by deeds.
Having said that, it is also clear that many people are interested in doctrinal arguments not so much because they believe and are convicted by it, but more because they want to win arguments. Many a times, when we tell others about a certain doctrinal stand, we are more interested in being right, than the welfare of that other person. The line is very thin, and difficult to maintain. One needs to be firm about one's own doctrinal stand, but not lose sight of why we are making that stand.
To be salt and light of the world is to exude a natural quality that came about because of our new life. In other words, a salt cannot help but taste salty; a light cannot help but shine. So it is impossible to ask a reformed Christian NOT to share his faith, or his doctrinal understanding, because his very life would exemplify it. The problem is that most of us know the knowledge in our head, but we don't really live it in life. So we argue non-stop with people for the sake of being right. If we live a life of love, peace, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control; it would be very easy for people to believe in what we say.
The techniques are also important. Although you may see Dr Tong hammering away aggressively at erroneous teachings while on the pulpit, I have never witnessed him say a bad thing about any individual pastor privately. This is quite amazing, his control of his tongue at private conversations. He knows that when he is preaching, he is a spokesman for God and he would speak out aggressively. But in private, he is very careful at not accusing anyone of anything; choosing to express sadness over the excesses of the other leaders, and expressing genuine concern for their well-being (because the wrath of God will be upon them).
Therefore, we should state our case clearly, make sure the other person heard it, and leave it to the LORD to work the message. Considerations of effectiveness are also important. Winning an argument is not the same as winning the heart. Matters of the heart require methods of the heart (my latest invented quotation... ha ha). An exemplary lifestyle would speak volumes over being doctrinally right technically.