Friday, June 13, 2008

Right or Loving?

You've probably seen those signs in front of churches, or heard the line mouthed by well-meaning folks - I'd rather be Loving than Right. (Sometimes it's Kind rather than Right).

There's a false dichotomy if ever there were one.

One assumes, given where the phrase is used, that this refers to contentious areas of theology and doctrine, not minor things such as how to squeeze the toothpaste, or whose turn it is to take out the trash.
Given that assumption, it's not only folly to think that it's better to be Loving or Kind than Right, but it's downright un-Loving. If we're considering major points of doctrine, points of significant divergence which can lead to heresy, then there is nothing Loving or Kind about leaving one's brother or sister in grave error.
"But, Lord, when did we see You in error and not correct You? When did we not tell You that you were on that broad road that leads to destruction?"
"As you did it not to the least of these, my brethren, you did it not to Me."