How Far Do We Walk Away?

By William Dudding @ http://reformingbaptist.blogspot.com

As I continue to search out truth and test old beliefs to see if I should continue to hold on to them, I have started wondering about how far one should take the doctrine of separation. There’s no doubt that God has called Christians to separation from the world:

II Corinthians 6:16-17 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

I have no problem with that at all. God had made it clear since the beginning of time that we are to be a holy and separate from the unbeliever for two reasons: For our own protection against temptation to partake in their sin and as a testimony of our union with God. It’s also very clear to me that we are to separate from those who claim to be Christians who are living in open rebellion and sin against God. However, in 2 Thessalonians 3:15 we are exhorted: Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. This little tag ending usually gets forgotten when we separate from a wayward brother.

What I am now calling into question is how far does a Christian separate from another Christian who is not separating from what you think he should be separating from? That's a mouthful. This is what Fundamentalism has coined as "secondary separation". This is distinctly a Fundamentalist position. I am not saying that I am totally against the idea, but I want to know how far should we go with it?

For example: One of my favorite preachers who is very conservative went and preached in Greg Laurie's church and even encouraged people to get involved in his Harvest Crusade when he himself does not agree with the methods used by Greg Laurie. My fundamentalist mind was perplexed! How can he preach against pragmatism and then rub shoulders PUBLICALLY with a pragmatist? I guess Jesus could be accused of doing the same thing: preaching against sin and then eating with sinners. That was the only way I could figure that one out. I have heard this conservative preacher preach against the compromise of Rick Warren, but then he goes and preaches for Greg Laurie who is really no different. I don't get it!

This is a problem that I see in conservative Evangelicalism. They want to be "fundamental" in doctrinal position, but they don't want the stigma of being considered a "fundamentalist" in practicing the unpopular principle of separation. So, my question is this: Should we separate from other Christians that have made worldly compromises? If so, how far? Completely cutting them off? Not participating in events that would violate our consciences? remaining friends, yet not working together at all? What is best?

I think that takes us back to 2 Thessalonians 3.

Verse 15 tells us to admonish him as a brother but not an enemy. In it's original context, Paul was addressing a problem of people who refused to work. He called it "walking disorderly". He said if they refuse to obey his epistle, to note that man, and do not keep company with him. So, obviously if a person is in disobedience, then we separate, but what about someone who is walking orderly, but he keeps company with one who is not walking orderly? Is he now in disobedience? Yes he is, because he has disobeyed the command to note that man and keep no company. So, logically secondary separation is necessary.

So, in the case of the conservative preacher who is practicing ministry correctly yet he associates himself with one who does not; is the conservative preacher wrong for participating with the other? Yes, I think he is. May they be friends, go out to lunch together, play golf together? Sure, but for the sake of a right testimony and example, he shouldn't be putting a de facto endorsement on him. He's still a brother, and there won't be anyone being exhorted to do right if we are totally isolated from eachother.

I recently heard of another conservative evangelical pastor who allowed a "christian" rap artist perform a 'song' in his church. What is he thinking?? I just don't get that mentality. Could you be friends with that Christian rapper and try to influence him? sure, but ask him to perform his filth in your church? No way!

A line has to be drawn, and that's where Fundamentalism stands. The problem is when they have no one left to separate from, so they start fighting and separating from themselves over petty issues. That's where most Fundamentalists are at today. They are far removed from secondary separation from Evangelicals. They are at a point where being isolated is the measure of spirituality. Evangelicals on the other hand are too weak to separate from hardly anyone. They hardly can find the bravery to separate from the nuts on TBN, Robert Schuller, Oral Roberts, and other apostates. Saying a negative word about the compromise of Billy Graham is a no-no in Evangelicalism; even though the conservatives know he has been out in left field for years.

Anyway, I conclude that we should walk at a distance from those who have compromises in their ministries, but not completely cut them off from fellowship or friendship. Those who have blatantly gone into error, need to be separated from on all levels except fellowship. (in other words, on speaking terms, but not on working together or endorsing terms) That goes for people within our own ranks. If a big flagship Fundamental church has a problem with shallow preaching, then we shouldn't send our kids to their youth conferences, however, we could still be friends if they're willing.