The most common phrase employed whenever two parties seem to reach an irresolvable impasse is the phrase, “We’ll just have to agree to disagree”.  Though this may sound charitable & diplomatic, it isn’t really realistic. Unresolved conflicts will simply resurface at another point.

This is even truer when it comes to theological disputes.  The reason so many issues seem to resurface generations later is because the issue was never resolved in the first place, but only set aside.

Now, perhaps we might be tempted to think some issues aren’t resolvable. Though that may be true when it comes to mere opinions & subjective issues this is not the case with theology.  The Word of God is not meant to be subjective.  It really is supposed to have only one true meaning.  It is getting at that meaning that may be sometimes difficult especially as people bring their own biases to it.

When two Christians disagree over a theological point, especially such pivotal points as say God’s Sovereignty & mankind’s so-called freewill there can be no middle ground; there can be no “agreeing to disagree”.  Either one or both of the points are incorrect.

The problem is, especially perhaps in America where we're taught every “opinion” counts is that we approach theological disagreements in the same manner that we approach any subjective disagreement. This ought not to be.

1 Cor 2:13-16 says:

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For “who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

It seems we under appreciate these verses. Christians are in a unique position that should allow us to resolve issues by “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” – we are not like the natural man that must rely on “opinions” & consensus to come to a conclusion.  We are able to “judge all things” – why?  Because we are supposed to be using the MIND OF CHRIST.  This is the reason I become so annoyed when I see Christians expressing themselves with phrases such as “I think…” or “I feel…”, or even “I believe…”  We instead should be operating from the “spiritual” – from the very mind of Christ & be able to confidently say, “Christ says…” Yet even some Christians find it arrogant to speak in this manner & thus prefer to speak in vague, subjective terms, thus they often reach the point of having to “agree to disagree” on a theological matter. I have little time & desire to enter into theological discussions with Christians who are NOT using the mind of Christ but rather are simply “giving their opinion”. 

When we speak of having the mind of Christ, what do we mean?  Do we mean a person is being directly led by the Holy Spirit? No, although we affirm that the Holy Spirit is active, the specific passage about the Holy Spirit “guiding in all truth” is apostolic-specific.

John 16:13
However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.

This is to the apostles to whom the Holy Spirit would come to guide THEM into all truth to tell THEM the things to come – this is the very definition of inspiration.  Unless someone is trying to teach every Christian is inspired in the same manner as the apostles, it is best not to cite this verse as applying to anyone but the apostles.

However, the “mind of Christ” can be described like this.  You may have a friend or a relative that you know so well, his character & behavior that you could say what he would most likely do in any given situation. You know his nature; you know his “mind”. So, then where can we know the character, behavior, & nature of Christ so well that we have His mind? 

Luke 24:44
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.”

The totality of Scripture is the very mind of Christ since all of Scripture speaks concerning Him.  Perhaps a person would complain that understanding the totality of Scripture is a long process.  Indeed it is, but what other close relationship is had in a short & uninvolved manner? Also, when I use the phrase “understanding the totality of Scripture” let no one claim I am saying we can understand the Scripture totally – merely that as “comparing spiritual things with spiritual” we should understand the overall character & nature of Christ – have the mind of Christ.

Christians who spend their time pooling opinions & pondering the “thoughts” of others ARE being “judged” by another man when as we read: But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one.

Christians who are exercising the mind of Christ do not come together to share opinions, they come together to more richly share the mind of Christ by exhorting one another not in mere ponderings but in the very Scriptures.

Thus, when it comes to theological matters, Christians have no warrant or room to use the phrase “agree to disagree” except to admit that they may not yet know the mind of Christ on a matter – which is ok as we all “mature” to different points at differing time – however this is NOT the same as claiming there is an irresolvable impasse which we must set aside for the sake of "unity".

So, next time you are in a conversation with a Christian that is NOT using the mind of Christ but merely expressing their opinions, encourage them to instead seek the mind of Christ – what a glorious position we are in.  Let God be praised!

Thanks to Kurt F. for inspiring this article.