A More Excellent Way
by Laurence Windham

The art of persuasion can be a difficult one. Especially when you have won the argument and the other person doesn't know that they have lost. I recently did something unprecedented. I contacted a local congregation of the Vineyard Church, for the purpose of inviting them to join our church. They had basically lost their pastors and so I thought we might get together and discuss our differences. My ultimate goal was to convert them to Reformed Theology. I have no fear of where the Scriptures might lead me and I was persuaded that if we were to just get into the Word, I could convince these guys that they were wrong in their assumption that both of our theologies were right.

My motivation was founded on the passages from Scripture regarding Aquila and Priscilla's ministry of teaching the young Apollos what he lacked. And the commendation of the Bereans by the Apostle Paul that they were noble because they investigated the Scriptures instead of just accepting the doctrines of others. My approach to these people was in the spirit of Jesus' prayer that we all might be one. Everyone talks about unity but hardly anyone goes past the rhetoric.

Well, we met twice and never got into the Scriptures. That was their decision. They would not commit to a bipartisan investigation of the Bible. This surprised me. They were willing to come together for an ecumenical service, they would have had no objection to sponsoring a Christian concert, or men's prayer breakfast or a youth rally. But as far as the Scriptures were concerned, they wanted to remain close-minded to their own ideas.

You should know that these are good people. Many of them homeschool their children. They left the same denomination that I also left years ago. (We all were looking for something more.) Most of the men in their group are professionals. Their women glow. Their children are respectful. They love the Lord. And yet when it came to a friendly challenge of what the Word says about worship.. .they proved to be Thessolonican. They lacked the humbleness of Apollos.

During our time of discussion things got a little tense as you might imagine. I grew increasingly frustrated by their objections to a friendly exchange of ideas regarding our doctrinal differences. (Something I personally would welcome from anyone.) I answered their obstinacy with truth and courtesy. Whatever they said, I was able to smile and tell them from the Scriptures where they wrong in their assumptions. They never acknowledged I was right on any point and never confessed that they were "off' on their arguments. I began to get an idea of how the Apostle Paul must have felt when dealing with the Corinthians. They doubted his authority.

Which brings us to the question, What is our authority in all doctrinal and theological discussions? I know, you are thinking the Bible. Right? And of course, you are right. But all evangelicals say the same but often interpret the Scriptures from their experience or prejudice. How are we to handle this? Well, most believers would be quick to say, Nicely.

I would counter with, Authoritatively. This is how Paul and Peter and James and Jesus and all the patriarchs, prophets, and priests handled error, sin, questions, problems, false teaching, and everything else they encountered. This doesn't mean that you use a verbal broadsword or the arrows of sarcasm in every discussion. Many answers can be delivered without the "big guns" being fired. But when the discussion moves to that place where personal preference is deemed more important than "Thus saith the Lord…" authority carries with it the right and obligation to warn, rebuke, and at times, to pronounce judgment.

At the conclusion of my last meeting with the Vineyard leadership, I calmly and firmly said, "Your church's history will from this point on have recorded this event where you were confronted by the Scriptures regarding your beliefs and will also remember that you were challenged by someone who desired to search the Scripture with you in order to show you a more excellent way. And that you refused."

They retorted that my doctrine puts God in a box. This was the harshest statement that anyone said during the whole time. Of course, they didn't bother backing the accusation with any Bible verses. I still pray for them that they might receive the mercy of the Lord and become enlightened.

I use this story, despite its length, to drive home the point that, he who quotes the Scriptures is subservient to he who knows the Scriptures. The reason that is true is that we all are to follow what God has said in His Word. If anyone can show me my errors, or misconceptions, or fallacies, I welcome them to do so. And they have. And that is why I am where I am today.

I never cease to thank God for the people that He has used in my life. I have been taught so much by so many that sometimes I feel guilty for not giving someone, somewhere the credit for every word I write or speak or preach. By the way, not all of them were "nice". Some were harsh, some were Pharisees, some were Arminian, some were angry, unkind, frustrated, hurting, obnoxious, cold, boring.. .but I was able to learn from them because I wanted to know God and His Word.

Think of the first time that the Church at Philippi or Colossae, or those in Galatia received their letter from Paul. After they read this inspired mail, they were from that point on responsible to live their lives according to the words contained therein. They were also responsible to believe about God what the Word revealed. They were no longer entitled to their own opinion. And they were also held forever responsible to encourage, remind, and correct each other concerning these truths.