How Important is Theological Uniformity?

You are a part of a Christian congregation. You are united by a common faith in Jesus Christ. But what happens if there are disagreements in other areas? How much diversity is acceptable?

I remember talking to another Baptist pastor in our former association. He was concerned that some of the other pastors were not Calvinist. He believed we were supposed to of “like mind” and so this was a problem. I didn’t tell him that I was not a Calvinist.

That was among an association of congregations, what about within one congregation? What about within a denomination?

There are some who believe that there must be absolute theological uniformity in order for there to be any Christian fellowship. It is not enough to unite around Christ, there must be complete agreement.

I am not convinced of that. Part of that for me comes from my Baptist beliefs. I was previously in a denomination that required a higher level of theological uniformity. I left because I did not fit within that strict conformity.

As a Baptist, I hold to soul liberty or competency. What is that?

The basic concept of individual soul liberty, is that in matters of religion, each person has the liberty to choose what conscience or soul dictates is right and is responsible to no one but God for the decision that is made.

This means that there will naturally develop diversity within the Church. The question is, how much of that diversity is acceptable within individual churches? Should we organize around as much uniformity as possible?

I believe that there is a certain amount of uniformity that is needed for congregations. If we can’t agree on the basics of the Christianity, what C.S. Lewis called mere Christianity, there is a problem. There is also need to agree on issues of polity and the practice of baptism.

But there is plenty of room for diversity. We do not have to agree on every interpretation of the Bible. Diversity of theology is something that doesn’t just have to be tolerated, it can be celebrated.

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35)

This verse doesn’t say that we will be known by how much we agree but by how much we love each other. Being in fellowship with people different from us is an opportunity for us to show how much we love each other.

What is the strongest witness to an unbelieving world? Is it a complete uniformity in which no differences are allowed? Or is it how we can follow Jesus without demanding everyone else be just like us? Is it a community in which we agree on the essentials and celebrate the diversity on the non-essentials.

I believe healthy churches do not require absolute theological uniformity but are diverse fellowships united by a common faith in Christ.

Liked it? Take a second to support Stephen Bedard on Patreon!