“But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory… ‘For who has understood the mind of the LORD so as to instruct him?’ But we have the mind of Christ” (1Cor 2:7, 16 ESV).
Introduction
This passage at the end of 1 Cor 2, quoted from Isa 40:3, says two things
- That the mind and wisdom of God is beyond our comprehension, but He has imparted a portion of it to us.
- That Paul, at least, considered he had the “mind of Christ”: that in all his actions, thoughts, and writings he presented a true vision of the way Christ would have us think.
So I think it important to consider this topic, and also to define how a “Christadelphian Mind” might differ from the world view of most of those around us, even those of other Christian denominations. It is quite common to find articles, web sites, and even books discussing the “Christian mind” or its synonym, the “mind of Christ”, but that is not the topic of this article. Rather it is to discuss how our world view should be governed, in a distinctive way, by our distinctive beliefs.
It is perhaps unfortunate that if we do a web search on the term “Christadelphian Mind” you get mostly negative definitions, bemoaning the apparent unwillingness of Christadelphians to accept such things as the evidence of the age of the earth around us, and that accuse Christadelphians of twisting Bible passages to suit their own perspective. However, there are other more positive definitions: the one I like best is:
The Christadelphian mind that is constantly centered around the “wisdom from above” is certain to in, actions, life and character, exhibit symptoms of that which has been learnt.1
But is that all there is? What is unique about the Christadelphian mind-set that sets it apart from that of most all of the denominations around us? We believe we have more of the Truth than these: so should our world view show more of the “mind of Christ” and of his Father? I am certain it should: but how does this show in the core of our beliefs, as we are instructed by the word of God? So let us explore the ways these beliefs direct our mind in ways that are different. It is fairly common to produce a brief set of characteristics of a Christ-like mind, and I am sure we would all like to possess such a mind. For example:
- Develop a strong desire for the mind of Christ.
- Submerge yourself in the Word of God. Read the Scriptures to learn them, love them, live them.
- Let Scripture rebuke you.
- Cultivate habits that encourage Christ-like thinking.
- Set goals to keep your mind actively thinking Christ-like thoughts.
These are all goals that are common to many of the other denominations around us, although some of our community would say our belief and study of the Word of God is unique: I suspect this might have been true a few generations ago, but I wonder whether it is true today.
The Christadelphian mind
There are several ways in which, I believe, a “Christadelphian mind” should reveal itself. It should not, of course, reveal itself in the way some members of other denominations act, by asking people “are you saved?”, or by attempting to button-hole strangers in the street. But our whole attitude should reflect the fact that, not only are we followers of Christ, but our mind is focused on him in certain unique ways, by the core elements of our set of beliefs. These beliefs are those which we hold, as Christadelphians, to be the Truth as revealed to us. The following are only a brief description of some areas that, I believe, should reveal the way in which we, as Christadelphians, view the both the fashion in which we live our lives and the manner in which we regard the world around us. I invite other suggestions!
God’s word
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim 3:16-17).
As first and foremost “Bible Believers”, we should always study the Bible for ourselves, and expect anyone who applies for baptism to have done the same. As a community, we have developed a framework of principles we all agree to: but this is merely a framework. As Robert Roberts pointed out, there are indeed “true principles and uncertain details”2. We do not follow the recipes of some hierarchy, but search out the word of God for ourselves. I will just reprint a couple of comments from the long article.
- The Devil
- General principle: that the Bible Devil is the personified antagonism of flesh and blood to god, in various forms and methods.
- Uncertain detail: What was the particular form of Bible diabolism that Michael encountered in the dispute about the body of Moses? What was the particular form of the Bible devil that tempted Jesus in the wilderness?
- The Judgment Seat
- General principle: that Christ will call the living and the dead before his judgment seat at his coming.
- Uncertain detail: where will he set it up? Will it be in Palestine, or in Egypt, or in the Arabian Peninsula, in the solitudes of Sinai?
There are a vast number of areas of each of our beliefs that we can hold as vital to our own understanding of the Bible: but to impose those beliefs on others, or imply some are not true believers because they differ from us, is not part of true Bible Study – or the Christadelphian Mind
Strangers and Pilgrims
“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth” (Heb 11:3).
The fact we are strangers in the true Christian sense should drive much of our attitude to the world around us: not for us is participation in politics, armed forces, or elected office. As government employees, if we so choose, we should strive to do our best, for our subordinates, superiors, or the public: but it should not be our choice to influence the laws of our country.
Focused on our Eternal Salvation
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Rom 1:16).
It is all too easy to focus on the here and now: the best career, the most money, the best vacations. But our priority ought always to be the salvation of ourselves and our family, whether it means
- rejecting a promotion that involves excessive hours,
- rejecting to a move, or employment, in an area with no ecclesia,
- refusal to join in the social activities of our work or community,
- too deep an involvement in any activity that precludes participation in ecclesial events and duties.
Independence of Present Authority in this Dispensation
“Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God” (Rom 13:1).
Our one and only true leader is our Lord Jesus, who has been revealed for us in the Bible. For convenience, we have those to whom we have delegated some affairs of our ecclesias: but the members of an ecclesia, collectively and individually, are the actual leaders. There is no authority above an ecclesia in our community. We obey the authorities and laws without question: we pay taxes as required. But there is no governing authority among Christadelphians, just an agreement on the framework of beliefs that we all adhere to.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One