Q&A: A reminder to be civil as Christians
- 01.11.10
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Consultant, author and speaker Mitch Carnell says dialogue between Christians of different denominations can often look more like the Tower of Babel than Pentecost.
That’s why he edited a new book, Christian Civility in an Uncivil World (Smyth & Helwys Publishing), a collection of essays from Baptist, Catholic, Episcopalian, evangelical and United Methodist contributors that shows how Christians can “explore ways for people of faith to talk to and about each other in a way that glorifies God and advances God’s kingdom.”
“It is possible,” writes Mr. Carnell, a Baptist layman, “for Christians to retain their differences and yet unite in respect for each other.” He spoke recently with managing editor Robin Russell.
Christians have always had differing opinions on theology and practice. Why is it so difficult today for us to be civil with one another?
I think it’s probably because our entire society in this country is divided about so many issues, and religion gets to be a part of that. And I think we have in many ways taken the foul rhetoric from the marketplace into religion. On the other hand, I think various churches in denominations have failed to lead in showing the ways that we can cooperate with one another.
What would civility look like among Christians?
I think we would recognize that basically we all believe some of the same things, and that we need to learn to respect each other and have dialogue with each other without becoming hostile. For instance, my own church, First Baptist Church of Charleston (S.C.), is actually the oldest Southern Baptist church in the South, formed in 1682. Our early ministers started inviting speakers with whom they did not necessarily agree. They felt the congregation needed to hear the various viewpoints. In 1751, the church passed a covenant that said, “We will live in harmony with all people and with Christians of whatever stripe in particular.” As you know, there has been lots of controversy in the Southern Baptist Convention as well as in other churches, but we have continued our tradition of inviting speakers from various groups.
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