Though I have, from time to time been proud to give that most humble answer to a number of sticky issues, when asked my position- I don’t know- I have more than my fair share of convictions. I likely have positions on more issues than most people know there are issues. In fact, one of my unusual positions, on an issue most people don’t even know is an issue is this- I am anti-movement.
Among my less than common views are these- I believe in head coverings at church. I believe children are a blessing from the Lord. I believe children should worship with their families. I believe all children should be protected by law in their mother’s womb. I believe in celebrating the Lord’s Table each and every Lord’s Day. These, among others of course, are issues that matter to me, issues that I write or speak on from time to time when given the opportunity. I have friends who focus much of their energy on each of these things, and for that I am glad. What concerns me, however, is when we speak of these things, or those who believe in these things as a “movement.”
Perhaps I’m just being cranky. I’ll confess that part of my annoyance is this- people have, from time to time, tried to get me on their team. I have inherited a name that garners quite a bit of respect in certain circles. So if RC Sproul’s son is a part of movement x, well then, there you have, well, something.
The deeper issue, however, is exposed, as is so often the case, by CS Lewis. In The Screwtape Letters the senior demon encourages the junior demon to encourage his “patient” to think of himself as a sort of hyphenated Christian. If his self-identity is Christian-vegetarian, or libertarian-Christian, soon enough vegetarian or libertarian is likely to take over. Pretty soon the patient will find himself forgetting the catholicity of the church. We end up thinking our brothers and sisters in Christ are those who agree with us on this secondary issue and that and seeing those who disagree as the enemy.
Thus the only “movement” I’m a part of is the kingdom of God movement. Like all other saints I’m seeking to make manifest the glory of the reign of Christ over all things. This doesn’t mean, of course, that we forget issues like head coverings, babies as blessings, protecting the unborn. I’m not arguing they don’t matter because they are secondary. Rather we do these things, believe these things, precisely because we are a part of the kingdom of God. Jesus is the movement, and these issues are nothing more nor less than seeking to be submissive to His perfect will. The kingdom doesn’t serve these distinctives. Rather the distinctives serve the kingdom.
I’m not ashamed of what I believe. But I pray I will never be proud of it either. May God give me grace to never pray, “I thank you Lord that I am not like other men. I understand the covenant, believe your Word, and my friends are all just like me.” May I always move down to my knees, beating my breast, praying, “Lord, be merciful to me, a sinner.”