I had a great celebratory ringing in of the new year! Don't worry, I still think it is highly overrated, but being with friends, laughing, talking, eating, playing games, and enjoying one another is prime.
I had the opportunity at one point in the evening to have a conversation with two friends who very respectfully and humbly held opposing viewpoints (more doctrinal, but some theological). As we discussed the finer points of paedobaptism and credobaptism, Calvinism and Armenianism, sacraments, covenant theology, and women's roles in the church, I was stimulated.
But as these conversations resonated in my mind over the next few days, I was profoundly impressed with one thing. The love and high regard with which the two gentleman with opposing viewpoints related to each other and to me, is carved indelibly on my mind. There was humility, yet strong passion and conviction. There was respect and harmony, yet not agreement. There was joking and banter without any condescension or hurtfulness. There was wrestling and challenging, but not to win, or be right, but to learn and be sure of your conviction. There was no emulsification of ideas, on compromise to make everyone a winner. But there was grace and goodness toward one another.
I tried to imagine what it would be like if every believer related to eachother in this way. I tried to imagine a world where believers are known by their humility and kindness while being firm and unwavering in their convictions. How attractive this world would be to the lost!
