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Monday, September 03, 2007

Division and Truth, Rather Than Unity and Lies

Here is an interesting quote from Iain Murray. I'd be interested in hearing what your thoughts are on this subject.

Are there times when division is better than unity? I'm not talking about just stiring up trouble for troubles sake, but are there times when unity should not be the end result?



Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity.- But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching which is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin.

The old saying must never be forgotten, "He is the schismatic who causes the schism"... Controversy in religion is a hateful thing... But there is one thing which is even worse than controversy, and that is false doctrine, allowed, and permitted without protest or molestation. ...


For some extra thought...

Romans 16:17 says, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."

"For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, so that those who are approved may become evident among you. "

- 1 Corinthians 11:18-19, NASB

It would seenm that scripture is clear on this matter, division and truth, rather than unity and lies.

5 comments:

Steven said...

The cause of most this non-sense is that far too many churches are belittling and dumbing down their congregations, rather than using "Bible words to describe to describe things". Some time ago, and relating to this current church generation, a Barna Group survey, revealed that the church today is considered theologically ignorant. And the continual push of the modern/emergent church is weakening the structure of the church by producing "so called" Christians "if they call themselves Christian at all, that cannot explain or understand even some basic Biblical doctrines. And as the crowds becomes less knowledgeable they open themselves up more and more to false teachings, and those who are knowledgeable must according to the scriptures deal with these teachings and or teachers. Sometimes people are so blinded that they simply cannot see where the problems lies. For me one of our first mistakes is taking anyone’s teachings at face value along with taking the good and leaving the bad, because there are many among us who cannot yet tell, the good from the bad and they are the ones most quickly deceived. We should always let the Scripture do the talking and explaining, and we should do as taught by Paul, know nothing but Christ and Him crucified and preach that.

George Romano said...

Amen and Amen! It's nice to see you around here, Bro. Steve :)

Steven said...

Oh, I come and go, seldom seen. I have already read close to 400 pages of material, since the start of this semester, so I do not say much these days.

Diana said...

Dumbing down the congregation, nice view Steve. It is True. I recently heard a preacher say to the congregation in the midst of a sermon say, "Oh we will you a round number that way it will make it easier on you."

I will not go into the rest of the sermon but using words like making it easy on you is not only encouraging the congregation to use less thought in the process,it also gives the congregation more reason to rely on man or woman (whom ever is preaching)instead of God for the final equation.

Diana said...
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