Doctrinolatry - tribalism and division in the Body of Christ

[St. SteVen]

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic.

Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ.

Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division.

]

 

[One 2 question]

S

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic.

Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ.

Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division.

]

Sounds interesting. So are you simply saying that if people kept their doctrinal opinions to themselves and don't speak them out, then we might have a better chance of reducing the spread of the 'division' pandemic being experienced in the body of Christ?

 

[One 2 question]

Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ.

As I have no affiliation with any group or tribe or denomination, this idea of tribalism is a little foreign to me. But I'm happy to gain some insight into it if anyone is willing to elaborate.

 

[St. SteVen]

S

Sounds interesting. So are you simply saying that if people kept their doctrinal opinions to themselves and don't speak them out, then we might have a better chance of reducing the spread of the 'division' pandemic being experienced in the body of Christ?

Good question.
No, everyone should speak out. But we need to be more tolerant of each other. Our reaction is the problem/solution. IMHO

/

 

[St. SteVen]

As I have no affiliation with any group or tribe or denomination, this idea of tribalism is a little foreign to me. But I'm happy to gain some insight into it if anyone is willing to elaborate.

A religious cult is easy to identify. They meet in the church across the street from your church. And they feel the same way about you.

Where does that get us? Tribe against tribe.

]

 

[Michiah-Imla]

It’s righteousness versus wickedness.

The wicked are the great majority.

The wicked run most of the churches these last days too!

This tribalism nonsense is a distraction.

 

[Wynona]

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic.

Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ.

Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division.

]

Jesus divides people. Division can be good because we're called to separate from wicked people.

Matthew 10:34-36

King James Version

​

34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law.
36 And a man's foes shall be they of his own household.

 

[St. SteVen]

Jesus divides people. Division can be good because we're called to separate from wicked people.

I'm talking about division in the Body of Christ.

1 Corinthians 12:25 NIV
so that there should be no division in the body,
but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

]

 

[One 2 question]

Ok

A religious cult is easy to identify. They meet in the church across the street from your church. And they feel the same way about you.

Where does that get us? Tribe against tribe.

]

Ok. I see many building where people attend religious meetings. And I think that they get together to meet with fellow like minded people.

I thought these were known as Christian denominations, amoung other things.

Don't they all have Christ in common, or at least a common God?

 

[One 2 question]

so that there should be no division in the body,
but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.

I can understand that the guy who said this had great intentions and hopes. But there's no guarantee that this is what the Creators want, unless the Spirit told him it is.

Sometime this guy said what he wrote was from the Spirit while other times he said it wasn't, it was just his advice or hope.

Anyway, I agree with him. It would be nice to see and experience in this life. But if it doesn't, it certainly will after that. Yay!

 

[St. SteVen]

Ok

Ok. I see many building where people attend religious meetings. And I think that they get together to meet with fellow like minded people.

I thought these were known as Christian denominations, amoung other things.

Don't they all have Christ in common, or at least a common God?

Yes, on all accounts. But the term "fellow like minded people" (that you used) is key to understanding the problem here.
Those who are not "like-minded people" are not welcome, or worse, they are viewed as enemies.
This is where tribalism comes into play. Those in the tribe are "like-minded people".
Those outside the tribe are NOT "like-minded people". Therefore they are enemies of the tribe.

]

 

[One 2 question]

Yes, on all accounts. But the term "fellow like minded people" (that you used) is key to understanding the problem here.
Those who are not "like-minded people" are not welcome, or worse, they are viewed as enemies.
This is where tribalism comes into play. Those in the tribe are "like-minded people".
Those outside the tribe are NOT "like-minded people". Therefore they are enemies of the tribe.

]

Again, I don't belong to any group and have never been a member of any. I interact with followers of Christ but that's where it ends.

I find myself loving others in the body of Christ and I am one with them whenever we catch up.

 

[St. SteVen]

Again, I don't belong to any group and have never been a member of any. I interact with followers of Christ but that's where it ends.

I find myself loving others in the body of Christ and I am one with them whenever we catch up.

Sounds good.
I was raised in the church and have attended most of my life, I still do.
So, I have a POV based on that life experience. Thanks for your questions.

]

 

[St. SteVen]

From the OP.

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic.

Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ.

Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division.

Bibliolatry: Worship/knowledge of the book MORE than the author

I have encountered some that I thought had fallen into this trap. I asked them, "What would become of your faith if you put your whole library out on the curb on trash day?" The guilty are left mostly speechless. Or, alternatively VERY angry. How come? To be clear, I love the Bible and use...

www.christianityboard.com

]

 

[amadeus]

From the OP.

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic.

Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ.

Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division.

Mr 10:27

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

If two or more men are on God's side, can there not then also exist doctrinal unity? Indeed, what is impossible for God in us? Is God in anyone?

 

[Ronald Nolette]

A follow-up to my Bibliolatry topic.

Doctrine becomes an idol when it is used to support tribalism and cause division in the Body of Christ.

Since doctrinal unity is impossible, allowing others to hold their own doctrinal opinions may be the only way to prevent division.

]

Paul said that there must be divisions among us so that the tried and truew can stand out!

1 Corinthians 11:17-19

King James Version

​

17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

doctrine is critical! It is the Word of God explained.

some issues are minor and can be agreed to disagree on with becoming disagreeasle, BUT SOME ISSUES ARE SO LARGE AS BY NATURE CAUSE NECESSARY DIVISIONS.

 

[One 2 question]

Paul said that there must be divisions among us so that the tried and truew can stand out!

1 Corinthians 11:17-19​

​

King James Version​

​

​

17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come together not for the better, but for the worse.
18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19 For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.

doctrine is critical! It is the Word of God explained.

some issues are minor and can be agreed to disagree on with becoming disagreeasle, BUT SOME ISSUES ARE SO LARGE AS BY NATURE CAUSE NECESSARY DIVISIONS.

Sure. Divisions are a part of the Creators plan. As we know that it is a part of Their plan and eternal purpose to reveal Themself to the principalities and powers of darkness. That They manifest Their manifold wisdom through the church as she exists and grows within the darkness, wickedness, opposite of those living in the darkness. In fact God had imagined and designed an opposing armed force who being led by Lucifer, would corrupt Their creation which was good. Lucifer, playing this new role as villain had to cause division so that his Creator could respond to the mess he made, thus revealing His manifold wisdom. What an amazing Creator is our God. A pure and complete Mastermind!

 

[Ronald Nolette]

Sure. Divisions are a part of the Creators plan. As we know that it is a part of Their plan and eternal purpose to reveal Themself to the principalities and powers of darkness. That They manifest Their manifold wisdom through the church as she exists and grows within the darkness, wickedness, opposite of those living in the darkness. In fact God had imagined and designed an opposing armed force who being led by Lucifer, would corrupt Their creation which was good. Lucifer, playing this new role as villain had to cause division so that his Creator could respond to the mess he made, thus revealing His manifold wisdom. What an amazing Creator is our God. A pure and complete Mastermind!

I would disagree with God designing and imagining Satan and his fallen as an opposing force as much as God knew it would happen and allowed it to play out His purposes.

 

[St. SteVen]

Consider this.

Isaiah 45:7 NIV
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.

Isaiah 54:16 NIV
“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;

[

 

[One 2 question]

Consider this.

Isaiah 45:7 NIV
I form the light and create darkness, I bring prosperity and create disaster; I, the Lord, do all these things.

Isaiah 54:16 NIV
“See, it is I who created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its work.
And it is I who have created the destroyer to wreak havoc;

[

Isn't it great to know that God has a long term plan for all His creations. That we, in this material creation have an impact on the invisible creation. To what degree only God knows. But like the designer of a computer game, God has designed opposing forces to engage the players, to keep them coming back to face new levels with its new challenges and experience new advancements. The thrill of the chase, the thrill of a win makes certain games irresistible and addictive.

God invited Satan and His angels to engage with His game on earth. I believe they are fully engaged and addicted to it. They win enough to keep them involved but we know that they will never get to the end having conquered every stage.

The introduction and existence of good and evil are very much a part of the Designer's overall plan as a means of generating glory and pleasure to the Grand Creators.

If only we could suspend judgement and patiently wait for the unfolding of Their grand plan.

Sometimes I fall back into my old way of thinking that God has made a mistake. But it's more about God not fulfilling my plans, desires, will, hopes, dreams, goals.

His plans are perfectly designed to achieve Their goal of generating never ending glory and pleasure for Themselves.