CHRISTIAN ANTAGONISM
Christians are one in mind and voice, harmoniously glorifying the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5+6)
The core of that oneness is the Christian gospel. The reality expressed in one verse underpins the entirety of all godly doctrine, which reads:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life*."
*Explaining what eternal life is Jesus said; "Now this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent. (John 17:3)"
So if we are one, why are millions of believers challenging Christian oneness? (John 10:16) The major reason for the disunity trend is the mingling of the Gospel with the Political/Economic Views of the World (1John 4:5). These intrusive views create a different bases for friendly associations between Christians. With the unifying purity of the gospel compromised, factional controversies shatter Christian oneness as described in 1Timmothy 6:3b-5.
"If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.
"Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and semantics, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain."
By contrast 2Tim. 2:24-26 describes Christians united by the Gospel with one mind and voice;
"And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. He must gently reprove those who oppose Him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, who has taken them captive to his will."
Each of us must guard ourselves against being drawn toward "unhealthy interests in controversies." We are instead directed to unite with our fellow Christians, even antagonistic Christian. How is that possible?
We avoid the trap of focusing on controversies by refocusing our minds on Christ Jesus within us...in the light of His manner of life and teaching. Philippians 2:1+2 prescribed a healthy alternative response to controversies.
"Therefore, if you have any encouragement in Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. (Philippians 2:1+2)"
The diagnoses of the unhealthy antagonistic mind is contained in the next verse, Philippians 2:3; "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or EMPTY PRIDE, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves."
Empty pride is simply an unwarranted inflated opinion of one's self. Those who are most seriously afflicted with that type of emptiness exhibit a profound need to prove their superior to advance their status. Deprived of the oneness the pure Gospel provides, we have a tendency to feel some necessity to establish "respect" under the new politically-contaminated gospel. It's only natural to become antagonistic to make others feel or look bad to elevate oneself. But that makes it extremely difficult to develop "like-minded" fellowship with an unhealthy antagonistic Christian.
Margaret J. Marcuson, writing for christiancentury.org offered advice on how best to respond to Christian antagonists.
1) Don't respond defensively, because the antagonist interprets it as fear, and increase their attack.
2) Stay focused on your goal, b/c antagonists intentionally attempt to distract their victims.
3) Establish a light-hearted attitude, and don’t take the antagonist too seriously.
4) Margaret recommends bringing respected authorities into the confrontation.
[I suggest the exact opposite]
I propose that you actually AVOID enlisting allies, and NEVER quote authorities or their findings.
Otherwise, the antagonist will deviate from the controversy at hand, and inject some unrelated grievance they have with the facts or authorities you introduce.
Incidentally, if you happen to be a Christian Antagonist, you are probably already planning to debunk M. J. Marcuson's recommendations. However, her tactics simply mimic the still small voice of the Holy Spirit.
Ideally, a confrontation with a Christian antagonist serves as an alarm to the victim, not to run, but to turn toward God, within you. Then having reconnected with His Spirit, completely yield to His loving compassion for the distressed antagonist. I further advise that you don't try to restore them to health, let God do that. Just love them.
Whether the antagonist acknowledges it or not, Christ in you will extend His restorative "eternal life" to them, which is apolitical love.
Remember two things;
1) Confrontations with Christian Antagonists are alarms, warning you to turn to God within you.
2) Christian Antagonists are not well, and need loving restorative health that only God by His Spirit can give.
St. Augustine, around 400 years after the cross of Christ, boiled it down to this: "Once for all, then, a short precept is given thee: Love, and do what thou wilt."
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PLEASE FORGIVE ME
I realized while writing this article I also tend toward an unhealthy interest in controversies.
I hope my future involvement in controversies will serve to unify rather than magnify the division between my dear brothers an sisters in Christ.