Charitable Orthodoxy

Mark Young of Denver Seminary writes:

"At Denver Seminary we believe that there's a better way for those with strong convictions to interact with others. We call it charitable orthodoxy...

Charitable orthodoxy is the third of five Core Commitments that define Denver Seminary. It means that we are committed to the core doctrines that have defined Christianity for centuries. We cling to these great truths of our faith for they frame our understanding of God, of the world in which we live, and His work in it. Furthermore, we confess these great truths as the way forward for those trapped in the mire of indifference and relativism. Around our common confession we engage in gracious and serious conversations about faith and life. Sometimes we disagree with one another about the interpretation of particular passages, about theological issues of secondary importance, about the expression of Christian ethics in public life, and about the application of Scripture to ministry. At all times, however, we are committed to be a community that relates to one another charitably, with a penchant to listen before speaking and a desire to learn that trumps the instinct to defend and to tell...

Our commitment to orthodoxy means that we believe passionately in the truths that Christians have confessed in every generation and on every continent. But passionate belief must never eclipse compassionate engagement with those who do not see the truth as we see it. In the life of a Christian, there is no room for demeaning and disrespectful behavior toward others. The integrity of our faith and witness demands charity toward all people. Being charitable toward another is more than being polite; it means seeking the good of others, even those who misunderstand you, malign you and even seek to harm you..."

Two comments:

(1) "with a penchant to listen before speaking and a desire to learn" - this is excellent advice. Karl Popper once said that before criticising a position that you disagree with, you should try and understand (and even state) the case for that position at its most powerful; then you have earned the right to oppose it with all your mental energy.

(2) "there is no room for demeaning and disrespectful behavior toward others" - a fair point. Opposing a problematic Christian by calling him "an ignorant and devious character who destroys the lives of vulnerable people and milks them for every cent they possess", sounds entirely unacceptable, but WHAT IF YOUR OPPONENT IS INDEED an ignorant and devious character who destroys the lives of vulnerable people and milks them for every cent they possess? What do you do then? - speak the truth or hide the truth?