Hierarchy of goods

Is unity more important than truth? Of course not; we must have both. But what do we mean by that? Must there be fine grained agreement on each and every question? Or is a common assent on the great questions enough?

I favor the second answer, for if we insist on the first we will never find unity. People are too inventive of small doctrinal questions, too prone to insist that they are right and others wrong, and ever ready to take offense if their reasoning is not taken seriously enough.

But my answer still requires that we draw some limits on what is within the pale of orthodoxy and thus declare what is beyond the pale. Where shall we draw the line? Who is your Christian brother or sister? Just what shibboleths are sufficient to identify them?

It is plain that the historical answers have failed. We see it when churches with strict inclusive and exclusive norms refer to other Christians as "separated brethren," in something like an inherent contradiction. If we are brethren, God has joined us; what has put us asunder? It is not sufficient answer to review a thousand years of quarrels and schisms. That mistakes the symptom for the source of infection. The old arguments lead us nowhere new.

We should ask what it is about divisive questions that is so divisive. We all grant that there are at least some questions upon which people can disagree who are alike saved and living godly lives. If asked whether a Baptist or a Catholic is a better Christian, I would have to say that there are saints in both churches and some appalling rotters as well. I would want to look at the particular Catholic in question, and the particular Baptist. But at that, is it my business to judge them?

Now, it may be that some views on lesser matters than salvation itself constitute better or worse ideas on how to live the Christian life, leading to better or worse fidelity to the gospel. The commonly used distinction between faith and practice is useful here. We are all trying to live out the gospel; that is faith. Who has the better idea of how to do that? That is the question of practice.

Is there any good way to demonstrate a better idea but than by setting a good example? I do not know of any, but I know of a poor way. That is to condemn, to judge, to anathematize, to reject and repulse, over questions too small to warrant that kind of response. That kind of pettiness is our history, but need not be our future. Let us consider what the great truths are; alongside them, our squabbles appear small, parochial and petty.