Dear Paul

Presbyterian Church in Asia Minor

Committee on Missions

To:

Paul the Apostle

c/o Aquila the Tentmaker

Corinth, Greece

 

Dear Paul,

We recently received a copy of your letter to the Galatians. The committee

has directed me to inform you of a number of things which deeply concern us.

First, we find your language to be somewhat intemperate. In your letter,

after a brief greeting to the Galatians, you immediately attack your

opponents by claiming they "want to pervert the gospel of Christ." You then

say that such men should be regarded as "accursed"; and, in another place,

you make reference to "false brethren." Wouldn't it be more charitable to

give them the benefit of the doubt -- at least until the General Assembly has

investigated and adjudicated the matter? To make the situation worse, you

later say, "I could wish those who trouble you would even cut themselves

off!" Is such a statement really fitting for a Christian minister? The

remark seems quite harsh and unloving.

Paul, we really feel the need to caution you about the tone of your epistles.

You come across in an abrasive manner to many people. In some of your

letters you've even mentioned names; and this practice has no doubt upset the

friends of Hymenaeus, Alexander, and others. After all, many persons were

first introduced to the Christian faith under the ministries of these men.

Although some of our missionaries have manifested regrettable shortcomings,

nevertheless, it can only stir up bad feelings when you speak of these men in

a derogatory manner.

In other words, Paul, I believe you should strive for a more moderate posture

in your ministry. Shouldn't you try to win those who are in error by

displaying a sweeter spirit? By now, you've probably alienated the Judaizers

to the point that they will no longer listen to you.

By your outspokeness, you have also diminished your opportunities for future

influences througout the church as a whole. Rather, if you had worked more

quietly, you might have been asked to serve on a presbytery committee

appointed to study the issue. You could then have contributed your insights

by helping to draft a good committee paper on the theological position of the

Judaizers, without having to drag personalities into the dispute.

Besides, Paul, we need to maintain unity among those who profess a belief in

Christ. The Judaizers at least stand with us as we confront the surrounding

paganism and humanism which prevail within the culture of the contemporary

Roman Empire. The Judaizers are our allies in our struggles against

abortion, homosexuality, government tyranny, etc. We cannot afford to allow

differences over doctrinal minutiae to obscure this important fact.

I also must mention that questions have been raised about the contents of

your letter, as well as your style. The committee questions the propriety of

the doctrinaire structure of your letter. Is it wise to plague young

Christians, like the Galatians, with such heavy theological issues? For

example, in a couple of places, you allude to the doctrine of election. You

also enter into a lengthy discussion of the law. Perhaps you could have

proved your case in some other ways, without mentioning these complex and

controverted points of Christianity. Your letter is so doctrinaire, it will

probably serve only to polarize the differing factions within the churches.

Again, we need to stress unity, instead of broaching issues which will accent

divisions among us.

In one place, you wrote, "Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become

circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing." Paul, you have a tendency to

describe things strictly in black and white terms, as if there are no gray

areas. You need to temper your expressions, lest you become too exclusive.

Otherwise, your outlook will drive away many people, and make visitors feel

unwelcome. Church growth is not promoted by taking such a hard line and

remaining inflexible.

Remember, Paul, there is no such thing as a perfect church. We have to tolerate

many imperfections in the church, since we cannot expect to have everything at

once. If you will simply think back over your own experience, you will recall

how you formerly harassed the church in your times of ignorance. By reflecting on your own past,

you might acquire a more sympathetic attitude toward the Judaizers. Be patient, and

give them some time to come around to a better understanding. In the meantime,

rejoice that we all share a common profession of faith in Christ, since we have

all been baptized in his name.

Sincerely,

Charles Phinney

Coordinator, Committee on Missions

From MEDIA SPOTLIGHT, VOL. 11, NO. 1, PAGE 9.

Reprinted by permission from the Trinity Review, July/August, 1988, Jefferson,

MD.

Originally published in JOURNEY magazine, Lynchburg, VA.


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