Planting Churches among the City's Poor - Volume 1

240 • P LANTING C HURCHES AMONG THE C ITY ’ S P OOR : V OLUME 1

1. In essentials unity : never compromise the Great Tradition, Phil.2.3; Jude 3.

2. In non-essentials liberty : allow for freedom on issues of conscience, Gal. 5.1.

3. In all things charity : practice love and charity in everything, John 13.34-35.

E. The Problem of Dogmatism: “Rabid Theology”

1. Dogmatists alone determine what are “the essentials.”

2. Non-essentials do not exist; all of their beliefs are essential.

3. They love only those who agree with their view of “the essentials.”

IV. Dealing with Disagreements

A. The Inevitability of Disagreement : expect conflict over doctrinal visions

B. The Importance of Dialogue : reason with principled conviction over matters of faith and doctrine

C. The Ingredient of Demeanor : maintain in all things a spirit of charity and respect

D. The Importance of Deference : defer to our denominational partners on non-essentials

V. Conclusions: The Importance of Theological Diversity

In essentials, unity, In non-essentials, liberty, In all things, charity.

~ Peter Meiderlin (Rupertus Meldenius), 17th century Lutheran theologian and pastor