Contend with Contention

In a comment yesterday from Jeremy he said, "I have no problem arguing a point and defending the gospel and the truth, but we must interact, most especially in areas where we disagree in a public forum like blogging, in a respectful and intellectually honest fashion." To many Christians this may sound like double-speak. How can we "defend" (a militant word) with respect (a peaceful word)? "This is all too lovey-dovey," some might say. Too often I've seen "righteous indignation" as the excuse for harsh language and cruel comments in "defense of the faith". But ... is Jeremy right?

I didn't read it first from Jeremy. When I asked myself, "Is it important to defend the faith?", I did my research. I came across these words in Scripture.

Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3).

And

In your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame (1 Peter 3:15-16).

In the Jude passage there is an interesting introduction. Jude intended to write about "our common salvation" ... you know, warm, friendly stuff -- stuff we all have in common. However, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he was forced to write about contending for the faith. Why? "For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ" (Jude 1:4). The truth is always being infiltrated by the lie. God's people are constantly intermixed with tares. Most of the New Testament, in fact, was written to counter heresy already creeping in. So, to Jude, to Peter, to the Holy Spirit it was important -- vital -- to "contend for the faith." Note, also, that Jude is specific about "the faith". It is the faith that "was once for all delivered to the saints." It doesn't change. It doesn't vary. It isn't shifting with time. And it is today as it always has been.

It's easy to see, then, that it is important to contend for the faith, to be prepared to make a defense. If you are not doing that, you are not honoring Christ (Peter's words) and you are not obeying Scripture. But what about Jeremy's position that it ought to be done with respect? Well, it's not Jeremy's idea originally.

You see, Peter says quite clearly to do it "with gentleness and respect". I know, I know, there are always those of you that feel that righteous indignation, that outrage that Christ is being demeaned. And you want to respond in kind. Notice, however, Peter's argument on the subject. If you defend the faith with gentleness and respect, "when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." You see, the message is important, but so is the messenger. How it is said is just as important as what is said. And, in all honesty, this makes sense since the primary motivation is love -- love for God and love for your neighbor. It isn't to "be right" and it isn't to "defend God" (because God doesn't need your defense). It is love.

I suppose there are rare times in life that righteous indignation (real righteous indignation, not the excuse we use too often) is needed. I suppose there are very real instances when a slap in the face is the only way to get their attention. Based on Jesus's life, I would say it is real ... but rare. He did it in the Temple. That's the only account I can find. Further, based on the commands in Scripture, we are not commanded to rise up in anger and defend the truth; we are commanded to do it with gentleness and respect. Remember, to honor Christ the Lord as holy, we must both make a defense and do so with gentleness and respect. We must both have the right message and the right heart. It wasn't Jeremy's idea. It was God's.