Although I missed their first series of speeches on Tuesday, I listened and talked with members of the Consuming Fire Fellowship on Wednesday for a little more than two hours.
I may not have any formal training in theology, but I like to believe I am fairly knowledgeable and I, for lack of a better term, am a good Christian. However, I would like to take time to address some differences I have with their theology and a few other details regarding this “demonstration.”
Due to several side conversations with other members of the church, I missed most of the name-calling and touchy subjects such as homosexuality, pre-marital relations and abortion, but I did catch their main theological standpoint.
They believe that, as born again Christians, the grace of Christ gives them the ability to resist all sin, therefore, as saved individuals, they no longer sin. I disagree with this theological idea, but it is not unheard of.
I then posed a single question: if I struggle with lying before I am saved, but after I receive grace I manage to stop lying for an undetermined period of time, what happens if a have a small relapse? Although the main speakers’ responses were never well-articulated, the individuals surrounding the “chaos circle” had very reasonable responses. These individuals and I agreed if that person disliked that lie and repented sincerely and wholeheartedly that it would not jeopardize one’s salvation. I do not find anything wrong with this response.
I, as well as many of you, Christian or otherwise, know people make mistakes. I do not believe mistakes or some sins pose any real threat to one’s salvation so long as they do not take their spirituality for granted.
Another point of contention that I have with the Consuming Fire Fellowship is the manner in which they speak. As a Christian I do not find it kind or respectful to call individuals whores or to tell people they are going to hell.
Most people, including non-Christians, understand the concept of right and wrong and many of them likely understand the concept of hell and how we get there, from growing up in the Bible belt. I do not need someone yelling at me things I already know. The way to bring people into the fold, so to speak, is not by yelling condemnations for their actions, but by kindly explaining to them the love of Christ.
I would also like to speak out against the reactions of the crowd. By shouting profanities and purposefully making antagonistic statements, it only validates their beliefs and makes them want to continue what they are doing.
We, as intellectuals, are supposed to be better than that. I understand that while many of their statements were antagonistic, it is up to us to take a higher road. Legitimate theological discussion is not wrong, but heckling only fuels their resolve to evangelize on college campuses.
Dalton Capps is a senior history major from Coldwater.
