Stuck

I was stuck.

A book on the evangelical response to John Wimber's signs and wonders movement in one hand, Ray Galea's response to Catholicism Nothing in My Hand I Bring somewhat ironically in the other.

A brief furniture change in my house (a change is as good as a holiday, and cheaper) had given me an opportunity to categorise the books on my bookshelf. In which section of my bookshelf should I place these books?

Catholicism went in world religions. Charismatic book in my general theology section.

This I think summarises my approach to those with whom I have serious theological disagreements. Very few Roman Catholic people I know understand the gospel, and so sadly are not trusting in Jesus' death and resurrection for their salvation but rather are attempting to justify themselves by their works. I am trying to speak the gospel to these people in order to convert them.

Most charismatic/pentecostal types I know are thoroughly trusting in the Lord Jesus. There are some fundamental flaws as I see it in their theology, which can lead to unhelpful expectations of what God will do that have the potential to affect their belief. But these are predominantly my brothers and sisters in Christ. I speak the gospel with these people in order to clarify the truth and to correct error.

Are there things that I find in speaking with others where I am deficient? Most certainly. But this is my approach to them.

Living in the big smoke these days means there are enough Christians of most denominations that we don't really have to communicate. Country churches don't get this luxury, and it is a great testimony and Christian witness the way that many combined churches events are held revealing the deep agreement between most mainline Protestant denominations.

I may have mentioned it here before, but I was rebuked once by a dear old Christian lady at my church in the country when in conversation I'd had a bit of a jibe at my charismatic brothers. She said, "Now, now Izaac, they'll be standing by our side when the Muslims try and take over." Now it certainly isn't the first criteria I'd use to determine Christian fellowship, however there is a certain beauty to the sentiment behind the words. That, and a whole lot of unhelpful vitriol towards Muslims.