Christian Forums

Quote from: mommydi on Mon Nov 10, 2025 - 16:48:58What causes the divisive spirit amongst us? Nitpicking issues that aren't salvational issues.
Just last week, a relative posted a link on her FB wall of a preacher who has an online ministry of sorts. He was browbeating people who listen to instrumental gospel music in their homes.
Of course, to me, that's nitpicking issues that aren't salvational - but to him, those issues are salvational. IMO, he's divisive. To others, he's preaching "the truth." Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to be productive in bringing people to the Lord.

Quote from: Reformer on Sun Nov 09, 2025 - 13:46:13

Unity or Dissension—Which?
See below
You're Getting Old If

A fellow believer who is party to one of our many sects related, "Anyone who teaches other than that which is clearly revealed in the Scriptures is a false teacher." He added, "If he does not surrender his false teaching, he is a heretic and should be treated as one."

It is correct to say that as long as this brother demonstrates this brand of unyielding attitude, he will remain separated from God's other children. He categorizes as heretical anyone whose views run counter to his party's doctrinal platform. He's a good man, a supportive husband, and a loving father. He's a graduate of an Evangelical Seminary and has served as "pulpit minister" and Elder for many years. Bless his heart, he has yet to evolve out of the backwoods of sectarianism, where most of us were "stationed" at one time or another.

This brother's sincerity has never been in doubt, yet his idea of oneness/unity hinges on absolute conformity to his party's conception of biblical doctrine. He is convinced that his church is the one ushered in by Jesus Christ and that anyone who resists his view of what Jesus founded is in danger of being lost. He believes there can be no unity until all others give up what they have and join him and his church.

In spite of all this, I still consider this man a beloved brother. He's a beloved brother because he and I have the same Father and he truly feels his concepts are in harmony with the divine testimony. He doesn't fit the biblical definition of false teacher, for he is not teaching false doctrine knowingly and deliberately.

He reminds me of the way our dearly departed Alexander Campbell, Reformer, once described himself while an adolescent Christian. He said, "I was once so strong a separatist I would neither pray nor sing with others unless they were as perfect as I knew myself to be." Campbell added, "If I had persisted in this most unpopular course, there could never be a congregation of saints on earth."

Sooner or later we all must come face-to-face with Campbell's conclusion. For if everyone must arrive at our level of intelligence and attain our degree of biblical knowledge before unity can be achieved, the community of the redeemed will always be splintered. All of us were once like Campbell in that we were spiritual adolescents—growing, maturing, reaching out, prodding, grasping, and learning. Many of us found greener pastures and higher plains while others fought growth and change and remained adolescents and slaves to the status quo. But free or enslaved, we have the same Father and we are here to prod each other to greater heights.

But getting back to our brother's partisan stance, what causes the divisive spirit among us? Is it not a matter of allegiance? For if our allegiance is placed in some party, or in some religious journal, or in some church, or in some TV evangelist, we will never unite. We will simply continue hoisting our factional flags and bolstering our parties. The Corinthians were faced with the same problem. The allegiance of some was placed in Paul, others were devoted to Peter, and still others had given themselves to Apollos. Although not physically separated, they were nonetheless divided—divided in that they rejected each other as "faithful" believers.

The great apostle Paul's admonition is fitting here. He says to "set your affections on things above" (Col. 3:2). The Living Bible hits home by saying that "heaven should fill our thoughts." Wherever the party spirit makes its abode, heaven is placed in the background and the party becomes the center of attention. But wherever the Holy Spirit is permitted to take the lead, tranquility shines like the noonday's sun.

The family of believers—God's ekklesia—had a glorious genesis and a noble existence the first two centuries But then she began to place her allegiance in religious parties, projects, organizations, and church structures. The result has been hundreds of splintered groups or churches—scattered across the partisan landscape.

The solution, as I see it, is that we must cast aside every partisan shackle, dismantle our church idols, dismiss the professional clergy, and reset our allegiance on things above. A united front will then surface, with Jesus as Captain and the Holy Spirit as Counselor. With them by our side, we will beat down every barrier and defeat all obstacles. If some prefer to be left behind to wallow in the ashes of sectarianism, that is their choice. But we will press onward—so help us God.

<><><>

You're Getting Old If

(1) You try to straighten out the wrinkles in your socks and discover you aren't wearing any; 2) At the breakfast table you hear snap, crackle, and pop and you're not eating cereal; 3) Your back goes out but you stay home; 4) When you're on vacation and your energy runs out before your money does; 5) The iron in your blood turns to lead in your pants; 6) You give up all your bad habits and still don't feel good; 7) You have more patience, but actually it's just that you don't care anymore; 8) It takes twice as long to look half as good.—Selected.

Quote from: Texas Conservative on Sun Nov 09, 2025 - 15:36:44Campbell, a major cause of division.  That is the inevitable conclusion

Quote from: Reformer on Sun Nov 09, 2025 - 19:31:37The tales and gossip from Campbell-haters have affected you negatively. Try reading some of his writings. You'll be blessed.

Quote from: DaveW on Tue Dec 02, 2025 - 11:15:53To be sure, both Campbell and Stone had a great idea.  However they missed a HUGE item in that the biblical authors were all JEWS.  In the case of the NT, all first century late 2nd temple period Jews.

And there is a very old common joke that if you have 5 Jews you get 6 opinions.

That was as true in the first century as it is today.  Even Paul said in Ephesians 4 that we are to maintain the unity of the Spirit (v 3) ... until we attain the unity of the faith, i.e. same doctrines. (v 13)

In Judaism, a diversity of beliefs and practices was then and is now totally accepted. The Early Church Fathers rejected that for an artificial uniformity. We lost a lot in that bargain.