The Greek-speaking church fathers...
Illustration
Object:
The Greek-speaking church fathers had a very useful word they used in situations of
church conflict. The word is adiaphora. Diaphora means "different."
Adding the prefix a to the front makes it negative -- so adiaphora
means literally, "no difference," or "it makes no difference."
What adiaphora means, in practical usage, is "something that's non-essential," "something you can do perfectly well without," "something that doesn't matter all that much."
Pipe organ or electric guitar in worship? Adiaphora. Hymns or praise songs? Adiaphora. Pews or chairs in the sanctuary? Adiaphora. Tie-and-jacket or sport-shirt on communion servers? Adiaphora. American flag in the sanctuary or just in the fellowship hall? Adiaphora.
It's not that any of these issues are of no importance. It's just that they make no difference in determining whether or not this is a true church of Jesus Christ. A healthy sense of what's adiaphora and what's not is a very useful tool for decision-making in the body of Christ.
What adiaphora means, in practical usage, is "something that's non-essential," "something you can do perfectly well without," "something that doesn't matter all that much."
Pipe organ or electric guitar in worship? Adiaphora. Hymns or praise songs? Adiaphora. Pews or chairs in the sanctuary? Adiaphora. Tie-and-jacket or sport-shirt on communion servers? Adiaphora. American flag in the sanctuary or just in the fellowship hall? Adiaphora.
It's not that any of these issues are of no importance. It's just that they make no difference in determining whether or not this is a true church of Jesus Christ. A healthy sense of what's adiaphora and what's not is a very useful tool for decision-making in the body of Christ.
