The Bible calls for Christians to be "one". We are to be of one spirit and one mind (Phil. 1:27), united in faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God (Eph. 4:13). We are to have the same judgment, without division (1 Cor. 1:10). It might appear from a multitude of passages in the Bible that unity is the highest calling and division is bad.
But, before we toss out doctrine (a suggestion by many these days), let's look a little further. Does the Bible allow for division? I would think that, with a minimum of examination, we would be forced to answer with a resounding, "Yes!" When Jesus told His famous "Sheep and Goats" parable (Matt. 25:31-46) He told about two groups of people. One group, "sheep", are put on His right hand, and the other, "goats", are placed on His left. One group fed Him and clothed Him when He was in need, and the other did not. The group on His right inherits His kingdom, while the group on His left is sent to eternal punishment. That would seem to be a clear division. In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells of two types of people. The wise man builds his house on the rock, while the foolish one builds his house on the sand. That is a division. Jesus told His disciples:
34 "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me" (Matt. 10:34-38)That is division.
Paul tells the Corinthians "I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler -- not even to eat with such a one" (1 Cor. 5:11). That is a division.
The accusation that "doctrine divides" is true. Truth is a divisive thing. It divides between that which is true and that which is false. The unity into which we are called is a unity in truth, not in spite of truth. And the suggestion that "experience unites" is also a truism, but it can produce false unity. People are capable of fabricating actions and mimicking experiences. We all know people who appeared to be Christians and weren't. The Bible refers to people in the Church known as "wolves in sheep clothing" (Matt. 7:15), "antichrists" (1 John 2:18-19), "tares among wheat" (Matt. 13:24-30). These are false believers who appear to be united to us by experience.
Unity is a good aim, but it must be a unity in truth. As such, doctrine, though it may divide, is a good division as long as it is true doctrine. Beware the anti-intellectualism of the age. We are called to be of one mind, but let's try to make sure that mind is set on truth as much as we can and not surrender to mere experience.
2 comments:
This is definitely something I hope a lot of people read, as I've been accused lately of being unloving by discussing doctrines that divide.
I know there needs to be a balance. Some people enjoy causing division. I don't...but if me not speaking up when I see heresy being preached is what I need to do to stop division, then I cannot comply. God's Truth is always more important! Peter tells us to always be ready to make a defense...in a gentle and loving way. Hopefully we can all remember than when discussing theology :D
Awesome post on a very timely subject!
This is a tough subject, because as you know by my life, I believe in division/separation if somebody is tearing down others with lies and corruption and when biblically confronted, they still refuse to repent.
I think that is not only for the church but for families too. I do think we need to divide/separate from the world. I do think we need to divide/separate over certain things that are clear cut in Scripture. But I do think we need to be very careful about dividing over things that have more than one side in Scripture, so are not easily clear cut and we should not be dividing over the minors.
I think if more Christians spent more time praying to be like minded with Christ and each other, and were reading the Word together...there would be a lot less division.
I also think we should be seeing a lot more sound biblical church discipline and we would not see the church so full of wolves and tares. I think this "God hates sin, but loves the sinner" attitude is permitting too many people to abide in continuous sin without repentance and the leaven is spreading through the entire church...
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