Position and Posture

By Rev. David Koll, CRC pastor emeritus

I am a lifelong member of the CRC who has found great joy in welcoming and witnessing the affiliation of many who are not lifelong members.  There is no doubt that we are changing as a denomination, and much of that change I embrace and celebrate.  Yet, I sense we are at a historic moment.  

Our current discussion related to same sex marriage, the Human Sexuality Report (HSR), and the actions of Synod 2022 have me both curious and concerned.  I am curious, because I am wondering what the Holy Spirit is up to.  I am concerned because I find myself wondering how sensitive to the Holy Spirit we are being.

Various groups have formed around positions relative to these matters.  The groups have names, web sites, announced agendas, and “positions” to which they are committed.  Some boldly oppose the Human Sexuality Report, the actions of synod 2022, and our prohibitions relative to same sex marriage. Others boldly defend the actions of synod 2022, the thrust of the HSR, and the continuing prohibition against same sex marriage. As a relatively new group, Better Together has been described by some as presenting yet another “position,” a “can’t we all just get along” approach.  Yes, Better Together also has a name, a web site, and an announced agenda, but I don’t believe it represents a watered down “can’t we all get along“ position.   (Even if some in Better Together themselves may hold that view).

I joined Better Together because it emphasizes a posture rather than a position. It is a posture of humbly bowing before Scripture, and one another, to hear God fully.  It is a posture that recognizes the virtue of patience.  Too often it has been impatience (and pride) that has led the church to say and do things that history has later proven to be unwise.  We can go back to the New Testament discernment regarding the expectations of Gentile Christians (See Acts 15, Romans 14-15, and Galatians).  We can go back a few hundred years to discussions about the shape of the world, the place of the sun, and other illustrations of “science and Scripture” giving the church insight.  We can look at the past two centuries in the church’s understanding of slavery, race, and gender roles.  In each of these there have been (and in some cases continue to be) pointed, even traumatic discussions. In too many cases people have justified allowing their position to justify the killing of some Christians by other Christians.  Such an excess is even displayed today in a global church that is sometimes described as fully united and are fully Biblical in their understanding of human sexuality.  (I don’t believe the global church is fully united, and I don’t believe they have the full truth regarding human sexuality.  Alas, sin rears its head across the globe.)

In his well-known chapter on the Holy Spirit, Paul warns, “If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Gal 5:15). I recognize that each of the “positions” I have described above are very aware of that verse and the surrounding verses.  Interestingly, all current positions can quote from Galatians for prooftexts to support their position.  But reformed Christians resist proof texting.  Instead, we use a hermeneutic that recognizes and respects both the original and the current contexts.  We seek to understand the intent of the Spirit.  And what is the Spirit saying today?  How do we properly today understand the Word and will of God?

My hope when I joined Better Together, perhaps naïvely held, was that holders of ALL positions would join in the movement, and commit themselves to the posture it lifts up.  Pro HSR, anti HSR, “let’s just get along,” all working together to discern what the Spirit of God is calling us to do.  I am convinced that discerning God’s way though this current conflict will require patience, humility, and respectful dialogue.  

I believe that such a posture will surprise a watching world that expects us to divide and devour one another. Too many Christian groups are falling into this trap. Jesus prayed for unity. The Holy Spirit brings unity.  Some point out that there is no unity without truth, but neither is there truth without the Spirit.  Discerning the Spirit takes time, effort, and patient humble listening. We listen best in community. What if each of the three positions I described have a piece of the Spirit’s wisdom that is incomplete without the others?