[an error occurred while processing this directive] TheBible.net: Consensus
Consensus
by Jody L. Apple
con.sen.sus\ken-'sen(t)-ses\ n [L, fr. consensus, pp. of consentire] 1: group solidarity in sentiment and belief 2 a: general agreement: UNANIMITY [the ~ of their opinion, based on reports that had drifted back from the border - John Hersey] b: the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned [the ~ was to abandon the project]


    At least twice in recent months I have encountered a disturbing tendency among those who claim to uphold and maintain new testament Christianity.

    Scene One: a congregation hosted an afternoon session at their meeting place to provide an opportunity for local churches to get together with them and meet what they hope will be their new preacher. After a presentation of plans and hopes for what he expects will be accomplished when he comes to work in this area, the prospective preacher opens the floor for questions. At least twice that afternoon in answering questions asked by curious Christians he responded by saying "we'll have to see what the consensus is." One of the questions dealt pointedly with the role that women would play in the congregation.

    Scene Two: twelve to fifteen preachers, elders, leaders, school administrators, etc., got together for a preacher's meeting in. A "point/counter-point" discussion had been planned in which one man defended (ostensibly for the sake of discussion only) the practice of women leading prayer in public assemblies (initially intended to apply to non-worship gatherings, but quickly appropriated to worship settings as well), and another maintained that such is restricted according to the new testament. After each man presented his case (one side of the issue was delivered in absentia by stand-in reading a prepared paper), the others present asked questions and presented various scenarios to test several ideas. During the discussion one preacher indicated that if a majority of people present in a situation favored the practice of women leading prayer in the worship assembly of the church then it would be alright to do so. I asked: "Is the issue to be decided based on consensus?" He nodded "yes," and went on to say that consensus is certainly a part of the decision.

    Consensus can be dangerous. The first definition given above, "group solidarity" in belief, sounds good. But it can only be good if the group's belief coincides with the truth of scripture. "Group solidarity" can be right...and it can be wrong. Solidarity for the sake of solidarity alone is never right. I remember a gentleman in Puerto Rico, who like most in his culture, was raised Catholic. Nevertheless, he married a Jewish woman. Because he was emphatic that his family be united religiously, and because it seemed his wife wouldn't become Catholic, he decided to accept and endorse Judaism. He had little idea what doing such entailed. That's the "strength" of consensus in far too many cases. Too often it amounts to nothing more than "going along" to "get along."

    The second aspect of consensus, "general agreement" or "unanimity" also sounds good. But again, if a group of people are "generally agreed" on something that is wrong it is obvious that "unanimity" is ultimately meaningless. Ahab had hundreds of "prophets" at his disposal who were all too willing to provide prophesy by consensus.

    The third facet of consensus, "the judgment arrived at by most of those concerned" - or "majority rule," is probably the most commonly held idea concerning consensus. It has moved all too easily from the center of our democratic political system to become a pivotal part of our moral, ethical and religious systems. Sad to say, it is often appealed to as a "standard" among members of the body of Christ.

    But what does the word of God say about the matter? Though there is no specific context that directly addresses the matter of "consensus" or "majority rule," the principles involved are definitely discussed.

    The book of Genesis, penned by Moses, tells us that only Noah and his family lived through the flood, because only Noah was righteous in God's sight (Gen 6:8-9; 7:1). If Noah's beliefs and actions were influenced by "consensus," would God have saved him on the ark?

    A few chapters later we learn that only Lot and his daughters were spared the destruction that fell upon Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities of the plain (Gen 19:24ff). If Lot had followed the majority of the people in Sodom and Gomorrah, he would have seen first hand the destruction that befell the wicked.

    The principle inherit in "consensus" does not square with what Moses said in Exodus 23:2:"You shall not follow a crowd (multitude-KJV) to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert {justice}." I guess Moses never heard of "consensus."

    Neither did Joshua or Caleb. Had they heard of "consensus" they would have readily gone along with the ten spies and reported to Moses that the land of Canaan was not possible to be taken, but that's not what we read (Num 12:26ff). They stood alone and affirmed, because God told them it could be done, that they could go up and possess it (vs 30).

    The examples are many, but the principle is the same. Many are called, but few are chosen (Mt 20:16; 22:14) and the way leading to destruction is broad and many are on it, but the way to eternal life is narrow and few are following it (Mt 7:13-14). Let us never be deceived by the false influence of numbers alone. "Consensus" should never determine right and wrong. In all things, seek God's will (Mt 6:33; Col 3:17).

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