Tribalism is Devouring Reformed Christian Circles

When you witness Christian discourse online, the first thing that might come to mind is controversy. Often, Christians discuss issues related to politics, government, and social or cultural problems in a way that is, at best, uncharitable, and at worst, outright sinful, even when addressing the world. What's more troubling is that many discussions and disagreements between brothers and sisters in Christ often display the same contention, hostility, and even hatred, directing that hostility toward each other. Jon and Justin discuss how Christians should approach controversy in any form, knowing that our opponents can be unsnared from the grasp of evil not by the truth alone that we speak, but that truth lifted up by the love and humility that Christ himself modelled for us.

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[StylinSis]

THANK YOU for calling this out!! It's been so disheartening for the past few years to see this among the Reformed circles. The lack of humility and ganging up on others has been really gross. And I totally agree that the faithful track record of some of these targeted individuals seems to be completely disregarded when there's like ONE thing someone disagrees with.

I agree, WHAT ARE WE DOING?

[GraceandTruthChurchofAthens]

If we... but we don't have love, it profits nothing.

[cary-annhirshovitz]

Thank you for saying this out loud! As an ex-Charismatic coming out of 20 years of poor teaching and false teaching I have A LOT to learn now in the broadly reformed camp. I have felt so sad seeing the amount of cold behaviour one brother to another on various platforms - especially when I ask questions. I am like woah, where is the love, y'all?? And then I am like, oh yes, this is why in two decades in my charismatic circles we referred to this as the 'frozen chosen' because it all just seemed so darn cold. But, praise God for pastors like you guys calling this out, and also for our local reformed Baptist church with a kind and doctrinely sound/solid pastor who has many more speed options :-) And lest a point a finger and am a hypocrite - I was in severe cage stage for two years after I came out of the NAR. I get it. Things are very black and white at first. But let's not forget what Jesus said we'd be known for.

[michaeljohnson]

I was run out of a reformed Baptist Church, for helping the poor. I didn't have to leave, but when members started to threaten, to hurt the same people, I was convicted to help...I left. I now realize, I was listening for doctrine, and not looking at fruit....so I was sinning by staying, as long as I had. I am heart broken, for their sake.

[chrisoutofafrica]

I have despaired at the Reformed world, particularly during lockdown. Their attitude was a disgrace, rather than reflecting vessels of grace when the world was looking for answers online. Nothing more than modern-day Pharisees to me. Huge damage has been done to the message of the Gospel. I now avoid at all costs. Thank you for speaking up.

[dkertbn]

Lets face it: Christians in America in particular (I focus on American Christians because I am one) are NOT known by their love for each other, and I include myself in this. May the God who loved us while we were yet sinners teach us how to love other sinners in the fold and without— to the glory of God and His Christ…

[henkv]

How can one solve this?
This condition is so pervasive that I cannot think that the church is a place for believers anymore. It's only support tribalism, viciously. More content like this and how we can create a new conversation specifically around this kind of issue.

[danielblakeney]

I think this is pertinent to this conversation, I remember when Cameron Bertuzzi was being courted by folks in Roman Catholic circles, and he did an online conversation with James White. I don't know how good the materials and information White pointed him too we're, and I bet Bertuzzi doesn't either just given how cold and condescending that conversation was. It was not long after that conversation that Bertuzzi converted to Roman Catholicism. And I can't say I blame him, given the tone and tenor he received from Catholics compared to that of us reformed/protestant folk. We are so busy trying to get everything right that we tear everybody down.


One thing that sticks out to me about that conversation that pertains to tribalism, is when Bertuzzi (somewhat excitedly) told White that he had recently changed churches from a more non-denom big eva style church to a church more like Tim Kellers. And, whether he meant to or not, Whites response was basically "yeah that sucks too." We're in a moment where it's not good enough to be in our branch of Christianity, but you better be in my circle or else your not getting it. It's a shame.

[brothermike]

I’m a 5 pointer (actually 6) that attends a medium size SBC congregation that is not reformed. It works for us because we don’t emphasize our differences, rather we celebrate our commonalities, the main one being Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father - they celebrate in their way and I in His (hat tip Doug Wilson)

[treycarroll]

I commend you for facing this head on. The arrogant and uncharitable way that emphatically reformed teachers and apologists speak was such a contradiction of the message of the gospel, that it led me to separate myself from reformed Christianity altogether. I have come to believe that the core doctrines are intact elsewhere and that any group that labels itself reformed is willfully choosing tribalism. You guys' highest value seems to be being the "rightest", and love for Jesus himself just seems to be lost in the resulting milieu.

[SojournerDidimus]

While at the one side I do understand the position of gentleness, I do find it very hard myself to not part ways with my elders. Among other things, they embraced female eldership, which I cannot find a biblical ground for. I wish we had the ability to come together and open the Bible over the issue and find agreement, but we are not. This, and other serious issues make it impossible for me to keep on accepting their position. How would I go and find unity, not only over this issue, but also the lack of sound biblical exegesis to defend the position?

[kathleenwharton]

The two most derisive places..Religion and Politics. 😊❤

[ibperson]

This is where you pull out alistair begg’s little video “because the man on the middle cross said I could come”. Check it out

[ddff]

"Even in the reformed world" the pride in this sect is so bad they are blind to it.

[d_Gnome]

"Even in the Reformed world..." SMH. That statement shows a superiority complex.

[baronlindsay]

In the spirit of this video, I would humbly ask that you take down the video posted a month ago that is painting Paul Washer in a negative light.

[respectingthewordpodcast]

I was an admin of a very large reformed group and as a reformed guy that evangelizes enjoyed letting debate topics that non reformed would post an the admins would delete them and not even take the time to witness to the unsaved that was in the group. I would post satire subjects, and they would delete them. It was like they loved their doctrine more than reaching the lost. I eventually left the group.

[ed]

Not sure how to accept this. At one point Theocast has a strong opinion of Doug Wilson and critical of others in leadership.

[bavaro]

"even in the reformed world"....um, it's especially normal in the reformed world.

[robertdavis]

Who is this "WE" to whom you refer?