Why Church History Matters by Rea Robert F.;

Author:Rea, Robert F.; [Rea, Robert F.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: InterVarsity Press
Published: 2014-05-20T00:00:00+00:00

Authenticity and Certainty

In the preceding chapter we discovered that when we find the consensus fidelium across the centuries, our expanding circles of inquiry become for us expanding circles of certainty about those conclusions. Here we see that expanding circles of inquiry, when we find no consensus fidelium, still increase certainty while giving us permission to limit our sureness about specific conclusions. In other words, when sincere students of Scripture across the centuries consistently come to differing answers, and especially when we see the same differences recur again and again, we can more safely consider the issue “unsettled.”

Notice that the issue is not “unsettled” because we ourselves are unsettled. Our foundation in Christ remains firm—strong enough that we are comfortable when we find areas of inquiry that we cannot resolve, that remain unsettled, especially in light of continued nonresolution throughout the centuries. Rather, we grow increasingly confident that the lack of consensus fidelium in the Christian community grants us freedom to differ. We conclude that the issue is not one of Christian orthodoxy, and we embrace openly those who come with varied answers.

So whether we find consensus fidelium or not, we can move forward with increased certainty because we have practiced more authentic Christian identity, community and accountability through expanding circles of inquiry. Our confidence grows because our inquiry is increasingly authentic, because we increasingly consult more and more of the whole church, both alive and departed—Christians from across cultures, continents and centuries. Rather than supplying answers where there are no clear answers, we find honest peace in those paradoxes.

When believers and unbelievers see this honesty—this authenticity—they more readily believe our good news about Christ and the genuineness of our ministry. We turn to those areas of ministry in part 3, where we will see how Christian history enhances our understanding of Scripture and helps us to minister more effectively.

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