The Biggest Loser

“If a theologian is asked to yield and make concessions so that peace may at last be established in the Church, yet if he refuses to budge on even a single point of doctrine — to human reason this looks like excessive stubbornness, even like downright evil intent. This is why such theologians are rarely loved or praised during their lifetime. On the contrary, they are scolded as disturbers of the peace or even as destroyers of the kingdom of God. They are regarded as men worthy of contempt. But at the end of the day it becomes clear that the very determined, unfailing tenacity of these theologians as they cling to the pure teaching of the divine Word by no means tears down the Church. On the contrary, it is this very attitude that — even amid the greatest dissension — builds up the Church and ultimately brings about genuine peace. Therefore, woe to the Church if it has no men of this stripe — men who would stand watch on the ramparts of Zion, sounding the alarm whenever a foe threatens to rush the walls, men who would rally to the banner of Jesus Christ, ready for a holy war!” — C.F.W. Walther

Them’s fighting words, right? Well, yes and no, but yes. What do I mean by that? Well, what did Walther mean in 1884 when he gave the above reference as the opening to an evening lecture to Lutheran pastors in training?

I think he’s saying to hold the line on fidelity to the Word. I don’t think he’s excluding the prospect of disputable matters, because we have Jesus’ words and examples in the early church of compromise in Christ. We have the greatest commandment to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and strength AND to love your neighbor as yourself.

I think Walther is getting at the principle of false witness. I think he is promoting Biblical inerrancy, Biblical reliance, and Biblical sufficiency. And not to make us great, but rather to exalt He who was, and is, and is to come.

I think what he espoused tracks with what Paul comprehensively told through his epistles to the likes of Timothy and Titus — the truth of Christ Jesus matters most and the call to follow Christ Jesus matters most. Most + Most = ?

Refreshingly, I’ve been attending a weekly men’s Bible Study moving through Paul’s letter to Titus. It is believed that this letter was written after 1 Timothy and before 2 Timothy, and together they serve as pastoral epistles. Paul wrote these to colleagues in ministry to edify, encourage, and equip these men for promoting Christian order in the burgeoning young churches spreading in the Mediterranean.

Regarding discernment, these letters address qualities to look for in those aspiring to build His church. Regarding leadership, they address the fruitful qualities of those ready for servant leadership and those who aren’t (and in humility this convicts first the reader of the epistle as much it projects a standard to govern). Regarding disposition and dissolution, the letters instruct that too.

Paul knew that the truth divides. It divided him from a prior existence of persecutor of the faith to promoter of the gospel. When the scales fell from his eyes, I believe fidelity was among the gifts he received in the work the Lord would do through him, inclusive of the instruction for the likes of Timothy, Titus, and pastors to follow to speak truth in love… to a point. The point being Jesus.

We witness, but Jesus saves.

Titus 1:15-16 says , “To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works.” As this convicts the reader it also encourages that reader in a pastoral quality of discernment as we are to be known by our fruits and to accept that again, it’s Jesus who saves. We are to witness, even when we can’t define the most basic terms with our counterpart.

If you’ve run a process of promoting true doctrine in Christ Walther’s way (which is NOT to weaponize but rather be vigilant), Paul has further instruction for us after prescribing acting in all good faith. In chapter 2:11-15 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.”

Verse 15 is where I think Walther intersects with Paul. You will be called a disturber of the peace if you declare Christ as Lord, particularly when in leadership. When you promote that central premise anchored in Biblical truth, even in mainline protestant churches that say they stand on Sola Scriptura expect you’ll be hated. I know because that is endemic to the deliverance from my prior congregation when the human “help on the horizon” turned into a wanton shame game for the sake of political expediency. In the midst of this trial, I did rebuke a brother against a proposition of said expediency, because it did in fact introduce doctrinal compromise and besmirched His church regarding truth and congregational care.

But, to be honest, realizing afterward such differences of opinion for governance left me feeling like the biggest loser. How could earnest leaders land so far apart on an issue of reasonable clarity? Until I remembered that we’re charged with witnessing of Christ, not getting stuck in debates. Our model is to witness, and not deny Him. The pastoral epistles instruct us how to organize & witness in dynamic fashion. We will be known by our fruits because He sees our fruits, and dismisses the lies anyone will say or spread… even the most implausible, reprehensible, awful things that are put out about you to tear you down in another’s tall poppy torment.

After all, they are really attacking His church when your witness in Christ is true, and thus vigilance matters as Walther said, and disposition moments occur as Paul instructs. Paul says to Titus in Chapter 3, “9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” But still Jesus saves, so let Him do the saving.

It was Jesus who told his disciples what to do when they weren’t received, and that was to dust of sandals and depart (Matt. 10:14).

He later said in verse 25 “It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!”

So the world already had its attempt to crown the biggest loser, and what He did on the cross showed He is the inevitable, indisputable victor. That’s the fidelity we are called to maintain, and not compromise, not one inch.

Praise the Lord!