Calvin & Hops: Tyranny of the Weaker Brother

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Tyranny of the Weaker Brother

“To have a right to do a thing is not at all the same as to be right in doing it."
--GK Chsterton

Thursday, 31 May 2018 from 1800-2000(ish)

Rotolo's (under 21 welcome)

Safe spaces, emotional support animals, safety pins, trigger warnings, and other aspects of modern insecurity cause consternation within the church and between believers. Paul in Romans 14 indicates that serious problems can arise in the church due to the differences between “weaker brothers” and “stronger brothers.” On the one hand, many churches have experienced the “tyranny of the weaker brother,” and fallen into an unbiblical legalism or extreme eggshell flooring. On the other hand, many “stronger brothers” do not bear with the failings of the weak. How is the church to maintain peace and unity while living with weaker and stronger brothers?

Questions:

Who is the weaker brother? Is the weaker brother stronger in faith (because he recognizes his failings) or weaker (because he does not understand the subject robustly)?
Is it a sin to be the weaker brother (unnecessary rules/regulations/legalisms)?
Is there a difference between offense and stumbling? Is causing offense a sin/stumbling itself?
Is weakness and strength only applicable to secondary issues like drinking/eating or can it apply to primary ones as well?
Does the stronger/weaker brother dynamic look different within a family? Why/why not?
What offenses are allowed (Christ offending the money changers, Pharisees, etc.)?

Readings:

Love is not Relativism (Canon: Douglas Wilson)
How to Welcome a Weak Brother (Desiring God: John Piper)

Scripture:

Romans 14
Philipians 4:3
1 Cor 9:22
1 Cor 8:13

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Why we're here

The Philosophy Behind C&H,

One of my all-time favorite quotations comes from John Wayne. “Life is tough…it’s tougher if you’re stupid.” Though not necessarily related to stupidity, there exists a common failure on the part of Christian men to humbly sharpen their reasoning skills and learn from one another. We, like much of the heathen world around us, fall into the trap of failing to ever challenge one another’s thinking either because of personal cowardice or for unreasonable fear of causing offense. While I do not advocate offense for its own sake, I do advocate the sharpening of one another in the bond of true Christian love, toward the end of excellence in spiritual warfare with the forces of darkness around us. Let us help each other “take every thought captive to Christ!”

Calvin and Hops is a monthly (generally) meeting of men from a variety of Christian churches in the Bossier City/Shreveport area in an informal setting to discuss a topic of general interest. Our primary objective is to grow in knowledge and wisdom and the ability to reason, for the sake of the gospel. Christ is Lord of all, and we need to be able to communicate that to others. This is true whether we are discussing Biblical canon or homosexual "marriage". But, I ask you, which is the more likely subject in your workplace? Which is the more likely "hook"with the unbelievers around you that you can use to lead them to the fear and wisdom of the Holy One?

I will establish the topic of the evening as indicated on this blog. However, the topic of the evening may be trumped by another “hot” topic if it seems appropriate. Please use information posted on this blog to prepare for meaningful discussion. Also, I’m always soliciting for topics of interest; just contact me using the blog contact form, email, text, phone call, carrier pigeon, or just telling me at church/work/other.

Please mark your calendars and feel free to pass this on to other men you think will be interested. If they want to be on the mailing list, they’ll need to send me an email address and a name.

In Him,

RTR

P.S. This is a men-only meeting, as we need to be free to discuss things as men, the way men do. However, for those of you with young sons, I highly encourage you to consider bringing them, as long as you deem it appropriate given their age and maturity level; we would also change the venue if this is an issue. I think that our sons can learn much from the accumulated wisdom of older men, teaching them to follow (and think about) Christ effectively).

How We Work

RULES OF ENGAGEMENT:

1. Don't bring it weak; participate, don't merely spectate

2) Have a thick skin

3) No personal attacks (ad hominem), either given or received

4) No sidebars...it's just plain rude.

5) No texting/phone use (unless you have young children/family that must reach you)

6) Define & clarify your terms - ambiguity serves both the speaker and listener poorly

7) Never, ever, walk out the door offended or offensive - keep short accounts and our spears aimed at the common enemy rather than each other

8) Always think about how this applies to you, your family, church, neighborhood, city, region, state, country, and world (roughly in that order)...change starts in the heart/head and works outwards.