Christians have long been caught between two principles which often conflict: loving acceptance of everyone, even those who have done wrong, and stern condemnation of sinful acts. Which of the two principles should take precedence? When should they condemn and when not?

John Zimmer writes:

[H]ow do we strike the right balance between the desirable unconditional acceptance of people and the diligent adherence to the teachings of Scripture (e.g., homosexual practices are sinful)? How do we make it clear that we strive for the holiness of God but also accept all people who, like we, are failing miserably in that pursuit?

Perhaps part of the problem is labeling in our minds some sins as more abhorrent than others. For example, we may not consciously hold the idea that homosexuality is a greater evil than pride, but we often behave as if we did believe so. We should denounce both with the same spirit. And we should accept fellow followers of Jesus who are struggling with one as much as those struggling with the other, right? Yet the widespread perception of Christians as judgmental seems to derive from our response to homosexuality and other such public sins, not to pride? Why is that?

Even the earliest Christians - for example, there was a great deal of debate about what should be done with the "Lapsed Christians" who renounced their faith during the Decian persecutions between 249 and 251. Should they be welcomed back with open arms, forced to do serious penance, or excluded from the church entirely? When does a failure to uphold orthodoxy go so far that a person can no longer be welcomed as a Christian?

There is also a conflict here between orthodoxy and orthopraxy - that is to say, between adherence to "right beliefs" and "right actions." Many liberal Christians focus upon "right actions," believing that it is necessary to treat people in as accepting and loving a manner as possible. Judgment is left to God. Conservative Christians, on the other hand, focus more on orthodoxy - perhaps believing that orthodoxy will lead to orthopraxy, although there is little evidence that that is the case.

Read More:

• Fundamentalism
• Religious Right
• Evangelicalism
• Evangelical Christianity & Homosexuality