There have been a handful of discussions on the Church Herald Blogs lately that have raised a basic question for me: Is there such a thing in the RCA as adiaphora?
From Wikipedia:
Adiaphoron (plural: adiaphora from the Greekἀδιάφορα "indifferent things")...in Christianity refer to matters not regarded as essential to faith but nevertheless as permissible for Christians or allowed in church. What is specifically considered adiaphora depends on the specific theology in view.
I guess, more directly, the question I'm asking is how do we define what is adiaphora and what isn't? Obviously we hold that somethings are adiaphora (not everything we believe is on the same "level" of importance). But how do we determine it?
As we have seen, some people consider a particular position on women in ministry fundamental... others not. Some consider a particular position on homosexuality fundamental... others not. There is at least one denomination that uses formal church discipline against ministers who don't preach that creation happened in seven, 24-hour days... obviously not true for the RCA.
It's an important question, I think. If we don't have a clear understanding of what is fundamentally necessary and what isn't, we end up spending a lot of time arguing about things that really don't matter. On the other hand, some things are worth dying for.
Please don't give me your list of fundamentals or adiaphora, and please don't just say "I believe in the Bible" -- I don't mean to sound rude but neither one is helpful to the discussion. Instead, how do you make that distinction? Who do you turn to for help making such decisions? Are there different lists of "unbendables" for ministers? Elders? Deacons? Members? Adherents?
etc. etc....
Grace and Peace,
`tim