Theology of Freedom

Many of the doctrinal differences between different sects of the Christian faith are close relatives of each other in the sense that they diverge from a common point. That common point is the question of how the goodness of freedom is to be balanced against its potential misuse to do evil.

Consider the doctrine of the communion of saints as an example. Some sects allow or even encourage their members to ask for the intercession of departed brothers and sisters in the faith. Since God is the God of the living, can we imagine an afterlife where the departed faithful were cut off from communion with God? And if they continue to live and commune with God and are a "cloud of witnesses" about us, why can't we ask for their intercession as we might ask those living in the world to intercede for us? Other sects disallow this practice out of the fear that it might to into idolatry. They fear the possibility that their members will fall into the practice of praying to their ancestors as though they had the power of gods and were gods. It is reasoned that any potential benefits derived from these additional intercessors is not worth the risk of falling into idolatry. So the disputes are not so much over the doctrine so much as the balancing of freedom against abuse.

This is but one example among a larger set of similarly related doctrines. Consider the differing doctrines pertaining to dancing, drinking, eating meat, etc. When reflecting on these we must reflect on the fundamental question of freedom. And when reflecting on this fundamental question we should consider the type of world that our loving Father decided in His wisdom to create for us and the remarkable extent of the freedom He grants us in it, either to do good or to do evil.