I have for some time
wrestled with the description of a "weaker brother" in Romans
fourteen. It seems to point to someone who is feeble and deficient.
But it seems to me that someone who is principled and holds firmly to the
convictions of his/her conscience is anything but weak and feeble. And if
this person has a fundamental shortcoming, why wouldn't the Scripture encourage
them to strengthen themselves in their faith or understanding? Paul
does not rebuke the weaker brother here like he does legalism in other places.
One day after a wedding I was discussing the service with a strong
believer who would not be described as "legalistic." I
commented on how lively and contemporary the recessional had been. It was a fun
"tune" to end the wedding. He responded that we probably should
not have allowed that tune because it was associated with a particularly
ungodly and heathen musical group.
I thought to myself, it's nice that I don't know anything about
that group so that I am able to enjoy the song. Then it hit me that in a
sense it was my ignorance or the absence of a special sensitivity, not my superior
spirituality that made me the "stronger" (free) brother in this
situation. I imagine that if I had the same background and experience
with that song, I would have been troubled the same way my brother was.
Knowing what I had learned about that piece, it would be my desire
to not use it in another wedding, for my bother's benefit, not because it would
trouble me. There was nothing particularly objectionable about the tune
to either of our sensibilities, but it had connotations for my friend that
it just didn't for me. He should not condemn me because my background
leaves me free to listen, and I should not insist on using the song with him
because I know it would trouble him.
No comments:
Post a Comment