A Bone of Contention

I literally just discussed obedience to civil authorities in my post American Politics and Jesus. That of course was from Jesus’ point of view. This passage in Titus follows suit. This also encompasses the argumentative spirit of people who think they ‘know better’ as shown in my upcoming Unforgiveable Sin post. There are of course further nuances covered in Titus that warrant examination. In this letter Paul is writing directly to Titus who Paul left in Crete to set the church there in order (Titus 1:5). A mess of a church it was too, hence the need to write his letter.

Titus 3:1-7 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

Titus' task of setting the churches in order included dealing with false teachers (1:10-11). The Cretans had a reputation for being idle, corrupt and frankly, troublemakers. There was even a Greek word κρῆτὶζεὶν/kretizein derived from the name Cretan which meant 'to deceive' (Titus 1:12). These traits apparently characterized some of the Christians as well (3:14). Part of Titus' task consisted of motivating them to change. The same thing expected of sinning believers anywhere once they have been brought into the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 6:11).

As with Jesus’ teaching we see that a Christian is on the side of law, order and justice. It is an insult even today to call a man a Cretin as it infers that they are brutish and dull-witted. Cretans were easily excited to rebellion, and the Jewish element in the island fostered a proclivity to violence against Christians. Titus was urged to enforce on his people an obedience to magistrates, and to render cheerful help in maintaining the peace. True Christianity (not a self-described one but one based on actions) is on the side of law and order, and does more to prevent war and suppress rebellion than thousands of soldiers and policemen. In truth the civil powers should find powerful allies in Christian individuals, Christian Churches and institutions.

Christians should not sanction the denigration of civil officers, especially not to speak evil of dignitaries and leaders unless they are themselves clearly performing evil against God or His people. The leader is the embodiment and representative of law that maintains order in a chaotic world. Civil powers have often made great mistakes in harassing the Christian belief, and the only retaliation the Church has made has been to defend the rights and privileges of leaders. This warning against conflict was not only applicable to Cretans, but is directed against all who would disturb the peace of the Church or of the community by giving way to a fault-finding spirit. 

It’s a two-way street. The only defense the Christian should mount against the State is when the State attacks the foundation of Christian belief and even then it should only be to point out how leaders are usurping God’s authority in matters of the spirit. To this point, believers need to recognize the difference between obeying a law in spirit and obeying it to the letter. If the spirit is evil it is against God and warrants being ignored or resisted (Matthew 22:21), otherwise obey it.

In truth Scripture teaches we’re to be gentle, meek (not weak mind you). The Christian spirit is forbearing and kindly, not insisting on rights to the point of fighting or taking up arms against its oppressor (Social Gospel adherents take note). If God is kind and benevolent to all, we should be the same. In contrast to this peaceable nature Paul reminds us of our former non-Christian lives. We’re reminded of our own lawless impulsivity in the past and the Christ-like forbearance that was patiently shown to us in our immaturity and youth. One good turn deserves another. Reap what you sow. Christianity should be the guardian of peace. Why? It is because sin is the cause of the rebellion, disorder and our own salvation is an act of unmerited grace as Paul alludes to in Titus 3:5, “…not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy…He saved us.”

When we do we’re merely emulating what God has already done for us. He clearly had the ability to bring the entire worldly system down but instead submitted Himself to the humiliation of death on a cross. Salvation entitles otherwise impetuous, rebellious people to the blessing of eternity with God. In truth, the gospel is the only system that helps us to be and do good. Our sin only assists us in being more contentious and error prone. Acting in grace and forbearance instead of lashing out and fighting allows a situation to be blessed twice. It blesses the man who gives it and blesses the one that receives it. Grace allows room for regeneration and rebirth. A contentious spirit suffocates it not allowing any room for change and actually encroaches on the perceived ‘foe’ further exacerbating an issue. So what do Christians do with a rebellious spirit like that of the Cretans? Paul tells us that Titus is encouraged to admonish those that would be defiant and argumentative.

Titus 3:9-11 …avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.  Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

The belligerent spirit dwells on small petty stupidity. By dwelling on trivialities the idiotic man exalts them and gives them unwarranted importance and attention. We see this daily in the media and politics. Everyone is offended or butt hurt by everything. Even the slightest perceived infraction is an excuse to start another war of words or of legislation further perpetuating another salacious news cycle. We are seeing this clearly in abortion legislation and the homosexual/transgender disputing spirit pervading society now. Some have gone as far as to make the law agree with sinful human practices, thereby making sins into ‘rights’. 

False premises create false conclusions. By codifying sins into law we see man attempt to make God agree with men. Instead of passing moral laws to aid the good of the whole or the community the petty spirit seeks to give ‘rights’ to small immoral vocal groups. Instead of judging all human theories by the measure of moral right or wrong we see the pressure of a vocal contentious minority inflicting immorality on everyone.

Paul clearly tells us to admonish these things, twice if necessary through repetition and then walk away. Fundamental moral truths should always be reinforced. Telling the truth is never out of season even when people don’t want to hear you and are trying to silence or control your speech. Give them pause with statements of their error so that they understand they’re wrong and then end the opposition. If they refuse to change and continue headstrong, leave them to themselves—have nothing more to do them anymore for any reason. You cannot help a man who refuses to listen and is controlled by a bad temper. You can’t argue a fool to their foolishness otherwise you become a fool too.

This confrontational fool eventually brings about his own punishment. Stupid and sin runs right to the bone and marrow of these people and inevitably leads to death (figurative or literal). The perversity of this stubborn spirit leads to its own ruin like two dogs fighting. It’s not like these types of people can say no one has told them better. They are willfully sinning against knowledge and morality. The Gospel is the cure of this spirit; but even this will not work unless it be believed and accepted.

There is internal war in man between reason and the passions. … Having both, he cannot be without strife, being unable to be at peace with the one without being at war with the other. Thus he is always divided against, and opposed to himself. This internal war of reason against the passions has made a division of those who would have peace into two sects. The first would renounce their passions, and become gods; the others would renounce reason, and become brute beasts. But neither can do so, and reason still remains, to condemn the vileness and injustice of the passions, and to trouble the repose of those who abandon themselves to them; and the passions keep always alive in those who would renounce them. ~ Blaise Pascal, Pensées, Section 4, 412-413