Mountains or Mole Hills?
It takes no genius to know that there is a big difference between a mountain and mole hill. Simply put, mountains are rather big by comparison. So big, in fact, that when a mountain is in view, it makes it quite difficult to see the horizon. Funny enough, it is the horizon itself that is the measuring stick of just how big a mountain is – and, conversely, the measuring stick of how small a mole hill is.
Why the talk of mountains and mole hills? It’s because, as we mentioned a couple of weeks ago, we as Christians often make mountains out of mole hills. This is generally all well intentioned, in the name of holding to good and true doctrine. We need good doctrine, and we are to hold to the apostles’ teaching! But may I posit to you that one of the best ways we don’t make theological mountains out of mole hills is to keep the shared horizon clearly in view. Let me explain below, using the example of some debated theological issues in the church.
BAPTISM
As we discussed a couple weekends ago, church denominations often divide over the issue of baptism. After all – it’s one of two ordinances given by Christ. In other words, IT’S IMPORTANT! Some believe that we should baptize infants because baptism is the New Covenant sign, just as circumcision was the Old Covenant sign. Others argue that baptism is modeled for us as something that only believers do in response to accepting the gospel. This issue has been a theological mountain for churches for centuries.
The Shared Horizon: Baptism does not save. For a baby or believer – to say that baptism saves goes against what the Scriptures teach (Eph. 2:8-9, Rom. 5:1). We may disagree on the mode of baptism, but the means of salvation – faith alone by grace alone – keeps us from making this mole hill a mountain.
ESCHATOLOGY
Eschatology is a big word that means “the doctrine of the last things.” The Bible speaks about the events of the second coming of Christ – but the texts are notoriously hard to interpret because they’re filled with visions, metaphors, and hyperbole. Many Christians often find themselves making mountains over their understanding of the last things.
The Shared Horizon: Christ is coming back. The finer details of Christ’s return are up-in-the-air (literally). It’s not that they don’t matter – but on the day of Christ’s return, I don’t think Christians will find themselves warring with one another over the order of events – they’ll be too caught up in the glory of his second advent.
BIBLE TRANSLATIONS
There are KJV ONLY churches, there are NLT churches, and then there’s EBC which takes a “whoever is preaching gets to decide” stance. Yes, Bible translation is one of the most hotly contested things in the church! Christians spend lots of breath on contending for one over the other as “the best one.”
The Shared Horizon: Faithfulness to the Original Text. We could squabble about which set of manuscripts certain translations stem from – but the bigger issue is the method of translation. The leveling line for this issue is to embrace translations that are seeking to be as accurate as possible to the Greek and Hebrew, while being as clear as possible in common vernacular. And, mercifully, we have an ABUNDANCE of translations that meet this criteria.
AGE OF THE EARTH
This one might push a button for you (and, that’s good since it’s the point of this article). This issue is often placed in a Die For category for many faithful Christians – believing that the earth is young as opposed to old. To deny this – some would argue – would be to deny a literal interpretation of the Scriptures. While that might be true – there are many well respected pastors and theologians who take an old-earth view. Is this issue truly a mountain, or a mole hill?
The Shared Horizon: A Literal Adam and Eve. I believe this is the core issue when it comes to “age of the earth.” Whether God made it over such and such a time matters – but not nearly as much as the belief that God created Adam and Eve as the first humans. If we can agree on this fact, it takes a huge, mountain sized issue, and shrinks it into a much smaller one.
On any number of those points (especially the last one), you could have ALL SORTS of arguments popping up in your head. I’m not arguing that it’s wrong to hold a conviction. Conversely, it’s good to hold firm to what you believe. I’m arguing that you do so in such a way that seeks to find theological commonality with those that might differ. In entering into any of these conversations, especially with our Christian brothers and sisters, may our first impulse be to listen – to level out the mountains, and to look for the shared horizon.
“The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.” – Titus 3:8-9
In Christ’s Mercy,
Pastor Ryan Aufenkamp