PRESERVING FRATERNAL RELATIONS
Edward Fudge

A brother from a part of the Lord’s universal church different from my own recently wrote, upon reading my controversial book The Fire That Consumes, that he considered its thesis biblical and Christocentric, but found that stating such views can lead to problems. Part of his problem stems from the fact that one thing frequently leads to another, and some of his conclusions related to Last Things, such as the intermediate state and the nature of the new heavens and a new earth, now differ radically from the prevailing evangelical orthodoxy.

His “unorthodoxy,” he finds, “is damaging fellowship with other Christians,” making him a “pariah,” he says. He wrote to me, he said, because he perceives me as one who has held a non-traditional view and yet maintained a good relationship with Christians as diverse as Robert Brinstead and F. F. Bruce. He wanted me to tell him how I manage to get along with those who differ with my views.

This good brother has a problem with which many of us can identify. The question he raises is an important one: How does one maintain fraternal relation with people who differ with him? My answer to him might prove helpful to others.

We must, first of all, I pointed out, focus on Jesus who is central to the faith of all true Christians. We can and must find our agreement in Jesus. But we must do more than give lip service to unity in Jesus. We must act upon what we say by welcoming as brothers and sisters all who love and trust Jesus as Savior.

Second, I observed, we must not become imbalanced in the doctrine we are emphasizing, but present it in proper proportion to other biblical teaching. We must avoid being one-sided or lopsided in our teaching. People will then see that we are not unreasonable or radical, and they will be more likely to consider a new idea. We must always be Bible-centered and always teach with love.

Third, when the other person is contentious it is helpful to say, “I do not ask you to agree with me, but only that you consider what I say in the light of the Bible, and then decide for yourself.” I learned that by example as well as by precept from my father, the late Bennie Lee Fudge. My father and I did not always agree, but he taught me to study for myself. He taught me to extend the same freedom to others that I assumed for myself. This attitude tends to disarm people who are expecting a contentious debate.

Fourth, we should be teachable, willing to learn from others. An openness to learn as well as to teach goes a long way.

Finally, I recommended to the brother that we should make service and loving ministry our main concern, and let doctrine fit into that in a natural way. The mark of the true disciple is love, Jesus shows us, not knowledge. Paul teaches us that knowledge without love is as useless as tongues or prophecy without love. While we are always to grow in grace and knowledge, we are to do so in a Christ-like way.

When we have done all this, I advised my friend, we still might not be extended the right hand of fellowship by some. When this happens, we must recognize this as their problem and not ours. While we regret the loss of fellowship, we are not responsible for it. We are to love them nonetheless and seek to learn from them.

As Carl Ketcherside used to say, “God will probably wash all our brains before he allows us through the gates to the Eternal City, so we can look forward to having none of these problems there.”

I hope that while we are yet on earth these thoughts will help us to better obey our Lord’s teaching to pursue peace with all people—Box 218026, Houston, TX. 77218