What is clear?

I read Romans 14 this morning. There were several aspects of this chapter that nudged me to pause and think deeper. One section, in particular, left me with a feeling of uncertainty as a Christian living in the 21st century. I felt a bit like some of the bakers working during the technical challenge of that Netflix show, “The Great British Bakeoff.” It’s a fairly common tactic of the producers to give very cryptic directions during the phase of the competition. One line of the directions may simply read, “Bake”. No time, no heat setting. I’m sure it is meant to extract a quick chuckle from the audience, if not the bakers. However, in today’s Christian environment, I feel a bit like how I imagine those bakers may feel. “Ok, but what about…?”

In chapter 14, Paul is admonishing us to refrain from allowing legalism to cause fellow Christians to “stumble.” The context at the time surrounded followers who were either “strong” or “weak” in their faith. Did they have sufficient faith in Christ’s message to understand that the type of food they ingested had no bearing on their salvation? Those who were “strong” knew that it was their faith in Jesus that saved them, not their adherence to the Mosaic laws around kosher foods. The two issues are unrelated. But the point Paul was making was that debating this difference and causing a brother to stray from his or her belief in Christ’s message was in itself sinful. We are called to refrain from any judgment of our brothers and sisters in how they practice their faith. As long as they are, in their hearts, offering their actions with thanksgiving for Christ’s sacrifice, another person’s salvation is at most unknowable to us. We will all be forced to stand before God and deal with our own actions. As one commentator wrote, “Stop worrying about your brother. You have enough to answer for before Jesus.” However, another concept that is woven throughout the comments is that this direction relates to issues that are in “gray areas.” In other words, there are concepts that clearly go against scripture and are, prima facie, sinful. Other areas are not so clear. What is “clear” in today’s world?

I believe that there are many topics with which we grapple today that some Christians believe are completely clear, while others see them as gray. So how do we deal with situations where the followers themselves don’t agree on what is not up for debate? For example, I am by nature and inclination what one may label as “Pro Life”…but only up to a point. What I mean by that is that I believe that women should have the ultimate and final say over how they handle issues in their own bodies. My prayer is that they would almost always choose to give birth and only refrain from doing so if their own life is at risk or God has effectively already taken the child by allowing a disease or chromosomal deformity to settle inside that would mean the child cannot survive outside the womb.

Of course, even within my own definition, there are many qualifications that could change my opinion. For example, what if the child would be fine, but the mother just changes her mind…in the 32nd week? Well, in that case I would suggest that this should not be allowed to move forward. What about rape or incest? I struggle with that one so much, I’m not even clear on my own opinion. Even within my own mind, there are many gradations and exceptions. But the point in this exposition is not to debate the myriad alternative cases. The point is that I believe that I am a true follower of Christ, but I can see how something that seems “black and white” in the Bible could be seen by other Christians as more of a gray issue. So, what do we do? There are a mountain of other issues in today’s world. From homosexuality to caring for our environment, some Christians believe that the Bible is abundantly clear, while others are less convinced. Well…who is right? If we are not in agreement in regards to what is clear or not, how do we know if we are “judging” others in conflict with Paul’s teachings or we are assuming our responsibility to “admonish” those who are clearly contradicting the Bible?

I’m not sure how to square this circle. I suppose for now I will lean on the teachings to love our neighbors as ourselves. Love has to be the cornerstone of our walk – love for Jesus and love for our brothers and sisters. Lord, give me the wisdom to know how to love you and your children in the way that would be pleasing to you. Teach me what it means to be a true disciple and walk in the way that leads to life. If I am ever tempted to speak in a way that contradicts that way, please save me from myself. Please speak to me in that moment and direct me back toward the light.