How does one establish a common ground with someone who insists that s/he is on higher ground, e.g. "I've spent 20-30 years researching this area intensely", "We know for a fact that...", "We know better!" or "There is no absolute truth"?
Another example: In November 1999, the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church issued the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" that said, "By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works."
And on July 18, 2006, delegates to the World Methodist Conference voted unanimously to adopt the declaration. The Methodists' resolution said the 1999 agreement "expresses a far-reaching consensus in regard to the theological controversy which was a major cause of the split in Western churches in the 16th century" over salvation by grace alone or by grace and good works.
Still, many conservative Protestant and Catholic groups believe the differences between their views remain substantial, however. (See Wikipedia entry on Sola Gratia).
How does one establish a common ground with someone who insists that s/he is on higher ground, e.g. "I've spent 20-30 years researching this area intensely", "We know for a fact that...", "We know better!" or "There is no absolute truth"?
ReplyDeleteAnother example: In November 1999, the Lutheran World Federation and the Catholic Church issued the "Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification" that said, "By grace alone, in faith in Christ's saving work and not because of any merit on our part, we are accepted by God and receive the Holy Spirit, who renews our hearts while equipping us and calling us to good works."
And on July 18, 2006, delegates to the World Methodist Conference voted unanimously to adopt the declaration. The Methodists' resolution said the 1999 agreement "expresses a far-reaching consensus in regard to the theological controversy which was a major cause of the split in Western churches in the 16th century" over salvation by grace alone or by grace and good works.
Still, many conservative Protestant and Catholic groups believe the differences between their views remain substantial, however. (See Wikipedia entry on Sola Gratia).