RIGHT or WRONG: Interfaith dialogue

As I understand Baptist distinctives, we should be in conversation with people of all faith traditions. But our church is becoming much more internally directed and less Baptist, in my way of thinking. What do you think, and what do you recommend?

You raise a fair question, one based on a correct and insightful understanding of our Baptist distinctives. Baptists have joined with other traditions in conversation and action throughout our history, whether the focus was a social issue, a liberty defense or a theological dialogue. Our heritage as Baptists, and even our calling as Christians, is to seek communication and connection with those who believe differently than we. Baptist identity statements address the benefit of honest conversation and cooperative service with non-Baptist traditions.

As people of Scripture, our higher calling is to reach beyond our written faith statements and to follow biblical directives and principles, which further compel us to action. Our mandate is to step outside ourselves and reach out to others. Jesus himself set the example in refusing to back down from associating with those who thought differently. His conversation with those outside his Jewish heritage was partly what alienated him from the religious authorities. As the body of Christ began to take form as the church, her very name implied life beyond her walls. (The Greek word for “church” means “the called out.”)

To redirect this disappointing trend of burrowing inside the church walls, we should candidly and objectively assess the root cause of that tendency. Is it fear of those who think differently? Is it insecurity in my knowledge of what I believe and in my ability to defend my belief? Is it selfishness in not wanting to use resources that could be spent internally? Is it laziness in not wanting to exert the energy to find common ground and service? Is it arrogance that we alone possess the only glimpse of truth? Is it a lost sense of vision for a wider need in God’s world?

Whatever the root of this problem, serving together can begin the effective remedy of creating connection with others. Find a local service project in which various faith traditions can work side by side. Those opportunities likely already exist in your community. You will discover that the common goal of service to others—another one of our Baptist distinctives—can bridge chasms caused by needless fear, insecurity, selfishness or any other excuse that prevents associating with other faith traditions.

Ultimately, your question is a matter of faith. Baptists believe in a God who loves all of his creation. Subsequently, he commands his created ones to love each other. Can we live that faith genuinely, while simultaneously refusing to interact with those whom we are called to love?

Allen Reasons, senior minister

Fifth Avenue Baptist Church

Huntington, W. Va.

Right or Wrong? is sponsored by the T.B. Maston Chair of Christian Ethics at Hardin-Simmons University’s Logsdon School of Theology. Send your questions about how to apply your faith to btillman@hsutx.edu.