GC 2020: Heeding Gamaliel’s advice but skipping the floggings
Frank Holbrook 0 GC 2020
I’ve been reading Kevin Watson’s book Old or New School Methodism? It’s a well written history of a difficult period in the life of the Methodist Episcopal Church (“MEC”). The Book of Discipline recognizes the MEC as a theological ancestor to the United Methodist Church: “In December 1784, the famous Christmas Conference of preachers was held in Baltimore at Lovely Lane Chapel to chart the future course of the movement in America, a gathering that organized the movement as The Methodist Episcopal Church in America.” Prof. Watson’s book focuses on a split that occurred in the late 1850s and resulted in the formation of the Free Methodist Church. The main thesis of the book is that the split represented a crucial moment in Methodism. His recent post, found here, provides insight into the book’s theme. I commend and recommend his work.
The book also reminds the reader that from the formation of the MEC in 1784 until the formation of the Free Methodist Church in 1860 “no less than eleven denominations had formed” from the MEC Id. at p. 5. Reading the book, its hard not to think about the current state of the United Methodist Church and ask what lessons can be learned from history. There are many and they are beyond the scope of this post.
Disputes in the church are nothing new. One could argue that most of Paul’s writings directly or indirectly addressed disputes in the church. Reflecting on the history of the church, one sees a long struggle to “get it right.” Of course, as we struggle to “get it right”, part of our human condition is to understand that it’s also possible to “get it wrong.”
How should the church approach this ongoing reality? Obviously, we need to keep working towards unity. But at the same time, we need to have sufficient humility to recognize the goodness in our sisters and brothers who may disagree with us. We need to recognize the possibility that “they” have it right and “we” have it wrong. I think this used to be called Christian Charity, but its been so long since I heard that phrase used in our conversation that I may be wrong about that.
Is there any scriptural guidance for the way we should approach one another in our current state? Yesterday, while writing about Paul and Barnabas I mentioned that the Church might be at a “Gamaliel moment.” Using the phrase “Gamaliel moment” is my way of saying we should heed Gamaliel’s advice in our interactions as we move forward.
Chapter 5 of the Book of Acts tells us Gamaliel was present in the Sanhedrin when Peter and John were brought before it for the “offense” of preaching the Good News in the Temple Courts. This was not the first time they had appeared before the Sanhedrin regarding the issue and collective body was bent on making Peter and John an object lesson; they were furious and wanted to put them to death. And here is the NIV version of the “Gamaliel moment” and his advice as it is described in Acts 5:34-39:
“34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”
If as a denomination we believe in connectionalism and contexuality and recognize that different people have different gifts and ministries, shouldn’t we also leaven those beliefs with a little bit of Gamaliel’s advice? Isn’t it possible that any of us could be wrong, including me? Can I heed Gamaliel’s advice? I believe that if we approach our disputes in 2020 with Gamaliel’s advice, we are much more likely to express Christian Charity.
Is it possible that the biggest failure of 2019 was the public display of a lack of Christian Charity on the part of many? I suspect it would be impossible to parse out how much of the hurt from GC 2019 resulted from the decisions that were reached and how much was caused by the public failure by many to demonstrate Christian Charity. GC 2019 reminds me a famous quip by Groucho Marx: “I don’t want to belong to any club that would accept me as one of its members.”
Of course, Gamaliel’s advice isn’t always heeded in spirit. After hearing the Rabbi, “who was honored by all the people”, speak, the Sanhedrin “was persuaded.” But after being persuaded “They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.” I hope that in 2020 we can remember Gamaliel’s advice, but skip the floggings.
