One of the titles for Jesus we have taken from the Old
Testament is “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus describes his work among men
as bringing peace in a way that is radically different than anything the world
can offer (John 14:27). In Matthew 10:34, however, Jesus describes his ministry
as one that will bring, not peace, but a sword. To identify with him is to
bring division in family and social relationships where some accept him and
others reject him. There can be no peace where there is a division over the
calling of Christ.
This matter of peace for Jesus that we see in his teachings
and his example can give one serious discomfort. In the Beatitudes (Matthew
5:9) Jesus said that peacemakers were to receive the blessing of being called
the children of God. Yet one has to wonder if Jesus hesitated long outside the
Temple of Jerusalem before he went in with whip in hand to do some serious
housecleaning (John 2:13-17). Jesus guided his actions with a wisdom springing
from his sinless walk with his Father that we sinful humanity lack.
In my years of ministry I have come to see two types of
peace in congregations. The first is the peace that comes from a strong unity
among the members. They are not without stress because they are in the midst of
action and change. There is, nonetheless, a peace that comes from the certainty
that they are involved in the right actions. They as a church have focused on
the right priorities.
The other kind of peace is what I sense as I move through
the stones of a cemetery. Many congregations have that kind of peace as well.
The membership is united as it travels a path to certain death. There is no
conflict because nothing is moving. There is no unrest because every member is
content with the status quo. There is no disagreement because all have decided
no decisions are necessary except to do nothing. All is peaceful and quiet much
like a cemetery.
I don’t believe this is the kind of peace Jesus had in mind
for his disciples and his Church. I don’t believe that Jesus ever saw his
Church at peace while it bore witness to him in this world. I don’t believe he
ever thought it would be free from conflict in its efforts to make disciples of
all peoples. I don’t believe he saw his Church resting comfortably upon any
kind of past accomplishments. Yet he believed that all of his followers could
experience peace as they focused upon him.
A recent article in our state Baptist paper (Biblical
Recorder quoting Baptist Press, Nov. 7, 2012, “Calvinism team meets for second
time”) offers a brief insight into the current efforts to reach some “peaceful”
conclusion regarding Calvinistic doctrine and the Southern Baptist Convention.
An informal discussion group is meeting to determine “a strategy whereby people
of various theological persuasions can purposely work together in missions and
evangelism.”
This group represents an effort by the Southern Baptist
Convention Executive Committee President Frank Page to address the increasing
number of questions raised about Calvinism and its place in Southern Baptist
doctrinal life. Perhaps some state conventions have felt the need to address
this issue, but the primary conversation is taking place on the national level.
I raise these issues of peace and Calvinism in the same
article because of their example of dynamics within Southern Baptist life. The
recently concluded North Carolina Baptist State Convention recorded 1604
messengers and 281 guests (Biblical Recorder, Nov. 14, 2012). This rates as one
of the smallest number in my memory. Recent Southern Baptist Convention annual
meetings have been able to meet in smaller venues because of decreased
attendance. Perhaps these numbers reflect a kind of peace.
We declared all the extreme liberals to be outside
cooperating fellowship and told them they were no longer welcome. Then the
moderate Baptist churches discovered their voices were no longer required at
the annual meetings on the state or national level, so they stopped coming. Now
we are being led to believe that a doctrinal issue based upon some form of
Calvinism may lead others to see that their chair at the table of denominational
fellowship might be removed. Compromise leading to unity has been a difficult
goal to reach when it comes to doctrinal issues in Baptist life.
Do we really have to condemn someone and clean house to feel
like we are on God’s side and on our way to peace? It just might be that God left
the discussion table some time ago.
