The Unity and Division threads - Unified to one topic - Divided by links

[St. SteVen]

Doctrinolatry - tribalism and division in the Body of Christ​

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. ]

The tyranny of doctrinal unity - "Join or die."​

...follow-up to the two previous topics: https://www.christianityboard.com/t...r-your-own-beliefs-in-the-cause-of-doctrinal-unity.56191/ https://www.christianityboard.com/threads/unity-of-the-faith-at-what-cost.56095/ - Do you have the right to allow the Holy Spirit to...

Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?​

This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...

Unity of the faith - at what cost?​

The call for doctrinal unity has gone out across the centuries. Are we there yet? (not by a long shot) Where is the problem? Perhaps it is in the assumption that the unity of the faith is doctrinal unity. - Can there be unity of the faith that overlooks doctrinal differences? - Does the Body...

Unity in exclusivity is mere tribalism - Nothing special there​

Much discussion in another area of the forum about UNITY and what it means, and doesn't mean. Many seek doctrinal unity. But we discovered that they haven't accounted for the necessary compromise to make that happen. What they really want is for everyone to JOIN their doctrinal tribe so...

Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity​

In the same way we have learned to understand and respect cultural diversity, we should learn to understand and respect doctrinal diversity. Can Catholics and Protestants respect one another despite our doctrinal differences? (yes) What about Baptists and Pentecostals? (yes) You name it. How...

The Hell Doctrine - No doctrinal unity​

What's your view on the final judgement? Here are the three popular biblical views: 1) Damnationism 2) Annihilationism 3) Universalism All three views are biblical, all three views are in DIRECT conflict.


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[Windmill Charge]

You are assuming that the only unity that matters is a visual outward unity, so long as people don't discuss deeply what they believe we can have a show of unity.
But when beliefs are as divergent as Catholic view of salvation by faith and works against protestant justification by faith alone, do you really think God will be fooled by such a false unity.

As for atheists who whinge about Christian disunity.
Would they throw away there atheism and join such a church?

The church is not a social, religious, political organisation. Oh there is that man made side to it, but the church that matters is the invisible body of living and in glory belivers.

 

[St. SteVen]

You are assuming that the only unity that matters is a visual outward unity, so long as people don't discuss deeply what they believe we can have a show of unity.

Thanks for weighing in on this. No. That's not what I mean at all.

I think unity comes when we recognize there will be differences and don't use that to CAUSE division.

Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity​

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[Windmill Charge]

Thanks for weighing in on this. No. That's not what I mean at all.

I think unity comes when we recognize there will be differences and don't use that to CAUSE division.

Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity​

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Except one says you are not saved because you do or haven't.........
The other says you are not saved because you have done this or that.....
Where is the unity?

 

[Rita]

You can be United as a group of people when mature enough to know there are differences and determine to get along with one another. It doesn’t mean you cannot discuss those difference but choose to discuss them without throwing insults and accusations at one another.

 

[St. SteVen]

Except one says you are not saved because you do or haven't.........
The other says you are not saved because you have done this or that.....
Where is the unity?

I like the response from @Rita in post #5. Thanks, Rita! Well said.

Differences = held opinions
Unity = accepting others despite differences

We tend to fight over differences of opinion. This is where division comes from.
If we can discuss differences and accept others, this is where unity comes from.

You might say that someone's opinion is unbiblical, therefore should not be acceptable.
But typically they had biblical reasons for their opinion, therefore it was NOT unbiblical.

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[St. SteVen]

From the OP of

Unity of the faith - at what cost?

The call for doctrinal unity has gone out across the centuries. Are we there yet? (not by a long shot) Where is the problem? Perhaps it is in the assumption that the unity of the faith is doctrinal unity. - Can there be unity of the faith that overlooks doctrinal differences? - Does the Body...

www.christianityboard.com

The call for doctrinal unity has gone out across the centuries.
Are we there yet? (not by a long shot)

Where is the problem?
Perhaps it is in the assumption that the unity of the faith is doctrinal unity.

- Can there be unity of the faith that overlooks doctrinal differences?
- Does the Body of Christ have room for differing views on doctrine?
- What would the church look like if we didn't label differing views as BAD or FALSE doctrines?
- Is a differing view unbiblical simply because it doesn't agree with our own biblical position?
- Can two opposing views BOTH be biblical, if biblical evidence to support each view is given?

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[St. SteVen]

What Unity looks like. (or should)

--- PARODY ---

Forum member #1: That's NOT what the Bible says!
Forum member #2: Yes it is! You have it wrong!
Forum member #1: Who should I believe, God or you?
Forum member #2: Back at you!
Forum member #1: What's your testimony?
Forum member #2: Say what?
Forum member #1: What has God done in your life?
Forum member #2: Well... when I was...
Forum member #1: Wow. That's wonderful, thanks brother!
Forum member #2: We should talk about this more often. Your turn...

/

 

[Windmill Charge]

We tend to fight over differences of opinion

But we are not talking about mere opinions but about what people actually believe and base their lives upon.

Would you be happy if on Sunday a preacher taught you about the prosperity gospel, that you can have it all now, if you only have faith.
Then the next Sunday a Liberal preacher teaches about a gay Jesus, how we are to accept the lgtb lifestyle and not to promote marriage between a man and a women.
Then you have a hyper calvinist telling you that unless you believe in Calvin's 5 points you cannot be a Christian.
Then as doctrine is unimportant an Athiest occupies the pulpit telling you there is no Gon, followed by a Muslim telling God is one etc etc.

What people believes is important.

 

[St. SteVen]

But we are not talking about mere opinions but about what people actually believe and base their lives upon.

People actually believe and base their lives upon opinions. Others actually believe and base their lives upon different opinions.

Would you be happy if on Sunday a preacher taught you about the prosperity gospel, that you can have it all now, if you only have faith.
Then the next Sunday a Liberal preacher teaches about a gay Jesus, how we are to accept the lgtb lifestyle and not to promote marriage between a man and a women.
Then you have a hyper calvinist telling you that unless you believe in Calvin's 5 points you cannot be a Christian.
Then as doctrine is unimportant an Athiest occupies the pulpit telling you there is no Gon, followed by a Muslim telling God is one etc etc.

That's quite a list. If two contradictory positions are both biblically based, which one is right?
The Calvinist can back up his claims with scripture, right? Same with the prosperity gospel.
Even those who defend LGBTQ use the Bible.

What people believes is important.

No one is saved by doctrine. Only God can save.

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