I am first and foremost, Christian, one who follows Jesus Christ. Therefore, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ. I strive to adhere to His teachings, as well as the overall message and teachings of the Bible. I strive to be obedient to the teachings of Scripture as I read, study, and submit myself to the authority of those teachings.

Second, I am a Baptist – I adhere to the doctrinal teachings of the Baptist faith. More specifically, I am a Southern Baptist. Therefore, I am a member of the Southern Baptist Convention, the South Carolina Baptist Convention, and the Moriah Baptist Association. My membership in these three entities is strictly on a voluntary basis. I am free to withdraw from being affiliated with any or all of them at my discretion. And, I might add, the denomination is free to withdraw fellowship from me if I should choose to denounce my belief in the guiding principles and the doctrinal beliefs of the denomination.

But now to the point of this blog. Why is there a plurality of protestant denominations? Where did they originate? Why do they have differing beliefs and practices? Why can there not be agreement between them? Church history proves that there have been, and continues to be, major doctrinal and theological concerns, as well as differences of church government, policy and polity. One might look at this varied tapestry of differences and wonder how they all came about if each of them take extreme effort in a serious interpretation of Scripture.

This has always posed quite a dilemma for me. My parents were Baptists, so I suppose the reason I joined a Baptist church initially is due to their influence. However, I can honestly say now that I am a Baptist because I have seriously considered the beliefs and church traditions of other denominations and still believe that Baptist doctrine is closer to the Bible’s teachings than the others. That is not to say that I, or anyone that I know, agrees totally with everything the Baptists believe. But the issues that I might take issue with are not of eternal consequence, so I might be a bit more flexible in taking a stand for my personal interpretation of a given text.

I have many friends and acquaintances who are members of churches of different denominations. We talk, we discuss, we debate, our differing beliefs, but we remain friends. I respect their views on doctrinal and theological issues, as they do mine. We have healthy conversations, sometimes even

At the end of the day, we simply acknowledge that we agree to disagree, but to disagree agreeably.

intense debates, on our different interpretations. And, at the end of the day, we simply acknowledge that we agree to disagree, but to disagree agreeably. We don’t throw our friendship out the window, casting aside long-standing relationships, due to a doctrinal disagreement. We simply agree that we are not going to agree.

Now, to be sure, if the discussion gravitates toward a subject of eternal significance, then we must agree. There are certain tenets of the Christian faith that must be acknowledged, accepted, and acted upon to even be a Christian. There can be no room for debate on those. But other matters that are not clearly explained, and lend themselves to different interpretations, must be discussed with a desire to learn, and even change, if the topic under consideration is explained in such a way as to change one’s mind on the meaning of the text.

I remember vividly (even though it has now been 47 years since) being a student in Dr. A.C. Miller’s class at Fruitland Baptist Bible College. He gave a list of books from which each student was to choose one to write a book report/review. However, for some unknown reason, he told me which book he wanted me to write a review of: J.I. Packer’s book, “Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.” The book was written with the author’s attempt to explain how evangelism fits in with the sovereignty of God, or, to look at it from the opposite perspective, why evangelism is even important if God is sovereign.

I read the book – then I reread the book. I sincerely and seriously tried to grasp the deep theological significance of such a profound, thought-provoking attempt at explaining how both of these concepts could be taught side-by-side in the Bible, and yet be so diametrically opposite of each other. How is one to explain two ideas that are seemingly inexplainable and irreconcilable?

Since my first encounter with this book, I have read it at least a dozen more times. I can’t say that I have yet grasped it all, but I was profoundly impressed and theologically challenged by what I read. I say all that to say this: My personal beliefs concerning God’s sovereignty, and the Bible’s emphasis on evangelism, were permanently altered by Packer’s insights. I have since read numerous other books that delve into this theological debate, but it was “Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God” that laid a solid foundation for my personal belief.

The point? Packer’s insights are not Baptist. But they are Biblical. So, do I choose to hold onto Baptist belief on the subject, or do I change my Baptistic training to fit with Scripture? Can I remain Baptist if I adhere to a non-Baptist point of doctrine?

The bottom line for me is that we all need to be sincere, serious students of God’s Word and let that determine what we believe on any given doctrinal/theological issue. Be true to that Word, over and above what anyone else might say. However, a closing word of warning. Be sure that you are using sound hermeneutical skills in the interpretation of Scripture. The Bible will never contradict itself, so don’t make a passage mean something when the overall message of Scripture teaches something else.

So, be a good representative of your particular denomination’s doctrinal beliefs. As the Apostle Peter encouraged, be ready always to give a reason for the hope that is within you. Have a ready defense of the Gospel. But be respectful of the beliefs of others. Have healthy conversations. Don’t be afraid to discuss your beliefs with someone who holds to a different interpretation. Converse with the idea that there is something we can learn from one another. We will be better for it.

Remember: Iron sharpens iron. Let’s give ourselves to the task of sharpening one another in the Word, ways, and will of God.

Blessings!