Principle 16
HERMENEUTICS
PRINCIPLE 16
Discern What’s More Critical and What’s Less Critical
Here we have a “Critical Target” diagram that helps to illustrate the relative importance of theological issues in hermeneutics and Christian life. Both the unity and the purity of the Church are at stake here.
We should use this principle of hermeneutics when interpreting the Bible: discern what’s more critical and what’s less critical.
All those who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior are united to one another in the body of Christ, the Church. This is an accomplished fact. We’re united in the Spirit — even when true believers vary significantly in their views on many doctrinal issues (1 Corinthians 12:12-13; Ephesians 4:4-6). We’re also commanded to “make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace” (Ephesians 4:3).
So how can we maintain unity within the body when followers of Christ hold differing views on a number of subjects? By discerning what’s more critical and what is less critical. This old adage may sound a little dated, but it’s a great prescription to maintain unity:
In essentials, unity;
In non-essentials, liberty;
In all things, love.
The target diagram helps us visualize the doctrinal issues that are “essentials” (that is, crucial doctrinal issues, where we must agree), and the “non-essentials“ (issues on which Christians have freedom to differ, but maintain unity).
The Center of the Target
The “essential” doctrines are at the center, or the bull’s-eye, of the target. The Person and Work of Christ. Who Jesus is, and what He has done for our salvation, are the vitally important issues in Christianity. There can be no compromise in these crucial areas. These are the “essentials” in maintaining unity. These are the core beliefs of the Christian faith. All true believers must be unified in their defense of these essential truths. A believer can’t have unity or true fellowship with someone who claims to be a Christian but denies that Jesus Christ is God, or that He died for our sins.
Outer Rings
As we move from the center of the target to the outer rings, we encounter doctrines in Scripture are important, but not absolutely crucial to the Christian faith. “Outer ring issues” could be labeled Convictions, Opinions and Questions. In these areas we can have unity and fellowship with true believers, even if we differ on certain opinions.
Convictions
While not essential core beliefs (like the Person and work of Jesus Christ), the varying “convictions” of different believers are important issues. They can significantly impact the health and effectiveness of a church, so both wisdom and discernment are needed in this area. One example might be slightly differing understandings of the Trinity. Although we may differ with another believer’s understanding of the subject, we can still have unity if we all hold firmly to truth on the core doctrines of the faith: the Person and work of Christ.
Opinions
Personal views on significant issues that are “gray areas” of interpretation could be labeled as “Opinions.” Examples of this may be varying positions on eschatology, modes of baptism, or Bible translations. While we may disagree with some Christians in these areas, we can maintain unity with these believers.
Questions
Areas that are more-or-less personal preference are labled “Questions.” These would be considered “non-essentials.” Examples might be certain lifestyle choices, or musical styles / attire / decorations / lighting options in church settings.
Thankfully, we can “agree to disagree” for many of these “outer ring” issues. However, Christians will also differ on how important or crucial some of these middle and outer ring doctrines are! Some believers will see certain outer ring issues as being closer to the center than others. In all these situations, coming together in love and unity is important for the local church’s testimony to a watching world.
Remember, the Lord’s great desire is that His followers would be unified (John 17). “By this the world will know that you are my disciples - if you love one another.” And the apostle Paul urges us to “Be at peace with one another” (1 Thessalonians 5:13).
Let’s look at two examples of this principle in the context of hermeneutics.
John 2:16
When we look at Jesus’ attitude and statements about the Temple in Jerusalem, we can see that He discerned what was critical, and what was less critical.
When Jesus was on earth, the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem had been expanded and beautified by the pagan ruler, Herod the Great, primarily for political reasons. The practices associated with the Temple in Christ’s day were far from the way of worship that God gave to Moses. In fact, many orthodox Jews wouldn’t go anywhere near “Herod’s Temple.” But Jesus continued to worship there. He even spoke of it as “My Father’s house” (John 2:16)!
Jesus knew it would be only a short time before His work on the cross would forever change the old way of approaching God. In the meantime, however, Jesus went to the Temple regularly in accordance with, and obedience to, the Mosaic Law.
Although Jesus went there, He didn’t hesitate to speak out and correct what was biblically imperfect at the Temple. He reasoned with the Jewish leaders, and He dealt decisively with the corruption of the moneychangers. But He didn’t disrupt the true worship of God that was taking place, even in that far-from-perfect setting! Look at His praise of the poor widow who worshiped the Lord by putting her two mites into the Temple treasury (Mark 12:41-44). He didn’t reprimand her for giving to the corrupt and theologically unsound Temple system. Instead, He focused on the central target issue: the true worship of God. He commended her for her devotion and dedication.
The Lord discerned between the more critical and the less critical theological issues. He knew when to show zero-tolerance and when to use affirmation, patience and compassion.
Romans 14
The outer rings of the target represent “gray areas.” These are areas in which specific details are not covered in the Bible. In Romans 14 the apostle Paul addressed an example.
Some of the early Christians had reservations about eating meat. “One person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables” (v2). In this situation, some early believers may have felt that it was more spiritually appropriate to continue to follow the Old Testament dietary laws and requirements. Others hesitated to buy meat from the market that might have been dedicated to pagan gods. (See 1 Corinthians 8 and 10:18-33.)
Meanwhile, some believers felt no obligation to follow the dietary standards of the Old Testament Law, because Christ fulfilled the Law (Matthew 5:17). They also had no problem eating meat that might have been dedicated to pagan gods because they knew that those false gods didn’t even exist!
Paul’s point was that neither side was specifically right or wrong. It’s OK for Christians to differ on minor topics – particularly those that are not specifically addressed in Scripture. However, when we differ, we should avoid despising or passing judgment on one another: “Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them” (v3-4).
We all have our own personal viewpoints in these “outer rings” subjects. Romans 14:6 teaches that believers with different opinions can both be right! The key is that we answer to the Lord for our decisions on our convictions, and the way we follow them: “Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God.” (v 6)
In our morally tolerant age, some verses are often misused and misquoted. For example, Romans 14 and Matthew 7:1 say, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged.” In some cases, Christians have become so tolerant on differing opinions that even blatantly unscriptural teachings are either overlooked, or they’re accepted in the name of “loving” and “not judging” one another”!
It's important to note that Romans 14 was written in reference to areas that are “neutral.” It does not say that Christians should compromise on doctrinal truths or lifestyle choices that are clearly defined by Scripture. There are times when we must patiently correct fellow believers, pointing out truth gently but firmly, with Christ-like love.
As Christians, we should cultivate the Christ-like characteristics that the Holy Spirit produces in our lives: patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control. And we should be known for our love, both in unity and in our differences. The Bible doesn’t command us to stop loving a person if we disagree with them! In all areas we should be quick to listen, slow to anger, and gracious in understanding, and approach difficult conversations with humble and merciful hearts.
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God" (Romans 15:5-7).