Disunity vs. Bad Theology

[apperkins]

In the Christian body today, there is a great divide between Reformed, Arminian, Catholic, and various other theologies. At what point should unity be abandoned in order to rebuke bad theology?

 

[sabretooth123]

Bad theology should be reasoned through. If there are disagreements, we need to spend time and effort to find the source of the disagreements and try to determine what makes the most sense. Breaking arguments down to core principles should either lead people to agree with each other or allow them to understand each others' disagreements so that they could respectfully disagree.
I think the answer depends on the circumstances. We are all brothers, unity in general shouldn't be abandoned, if there is a common enemy then we can fight together. If there is no common threat then we should be able to discuss our differences and live with minor disagreements.
I think that many differences in beliefs stem from a lack of discussion, not enough people are challenging their beliefs and trying to reason through why exactly they believe what they do. A problem here is that disunity doesn't help the situation, it just helps segregate people. Rather than falling back on disunity, we need to engage each other as friends so that we can comfortably discuss (or accept) our differences without hostility.

Another common belief is that everyone is entitled to believe what they want and that the rest of us shouldn't concern ourselves with others' beliefs. This makes sense to a certain extent, but if large enough problems are taking place as a result of a difference in beliefs then I think it's fair to discuss the situation.

 

[onemorequestion]

In the Christian body today, there is a great divide between Reformed, Arminian, Catholic, and various other theologies. At what point should unity be abandoned in order to rebuke bad theology?

Atheism/secularism called Christian morality (true liberalism today) abortion on demand, pro-homosexuality and gay marriage, pro drugs, Jesus as relative to other nice guys and gals, accepeting what is clearly taught against by the writers of the New Testament such as the resurrection being a myth.

And a few other things.

 

[Standing_Ultraviolet]

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[d'Albert]

In the Christian body today, there is a great divide between Reformed, Arminian, Catholic, and various other theologies. At what point should unity be abandoned in order to rebuke bad theology?

When it's bad theology that is the direct cause of such disunity.

 

[Heavens]

In the Christian body today, there is a great divide between Reformed, Arminian, Catholic, and various other theologies. At what point should unity be abandoned in order to rebuke bad theology?

Actually, there is no division whatsoever in Christ's Body
We are one in Christ. Brothers and sisters, offspring of Christ Jesus our Lord and our God! Pure and sinless

 

[Faith.Man]

In the Christian body today, there is a great divide between Reformed, Arminian, Catholic, and various other theologies. At what point should unity be abandoned in order to rebuke bad theology?

Never compromise good theology for the sake of unity. The apostles didn't, so neither should we.

 

[papaJP]

Since theology is the study of God and your beliefs it will never be exactly the same as any other believer much less the non-believer. We have the resonsibility to study, pray and seek the revelation of the Holy Spirit and what we are to understand. We can help each other as long as we accept that each is on a seperate journey and none are in the same place spiritually as the other. God bless the differences as they are to make us stronger not weaker.

 

[heron]

When the Church is so widespread, it is tricky to get a handle on that. Reasoned rebuke is already being done in the form of books, broadly-communicated sermons, conviction through secular media, and the legal systems.

If a church leader is getting input from outside sources, then they are likely hearing enough truth to add balance. We know in fact that some are set in offensive ways, and that could be a matter of inner stubbornness that refuses to be corrected.

I believe that God sends messages to church members, and gives each believer a sense of what is right, even when it conflicts with the church. Not everyone agrees with this.

Many times parishioners bring up their concerns to their church, and are told they need to submit. But the early church was not set up with this submission hierarchy. All believers submitted to each other. The apostle Paul was rebuked by Aquilla and Priscilla, and had disagreements with other apostles; the leaders were not above reproach.

 

[Yarddog]

In the Christian body today, there is a great divide between Reformed, Arminian, Catholic, and various other theologies.

Some of the problem comes misunderstanding, between the Christian Churches, about the other's doctrines. When the myths about what the other Church teaches is bridged and understanding comes in, we begin to see that we are not that far apart.

At what point should unity be abandoned in order to rebuke bad theology?

We should never reject others who teach a true concept of love, even though they are not Christian. IMO, it is only where hate is preached that we reject another.

Where love exists, there is always a chance to teach Christianity. Where hate is, God can still prevail but it is more difficult. Live Christ, and become a magnet, destroying disunity.

 

[heron]

I find that most individual Christians can transfer smoothly from church to church, without people wincing, "You're from that denomination!"

But when they talk about other churches, they compare like we are competing sports teams. It is usually based more on a sense of pride, than on offense over doctrine.

I also hear preaching from the pulpit against this or that ministry, or derogatory slams on the forum... but I don't see many face-to-face conflicts.

In my opinion, people are more unified than they say they are. They see most other Christians as brothers in Christ, and would step out to help if others were in trouble.

 

[Yarddog]

I find that most individual Christians can transfer smoothly from church to church, without people wincing, "You're from that denomination!"

But when they talk about other churches, they compare like we are competing sports teams. It is usually based more on a sense of pride, than on offense over doctrine.

I also hear preaching from the pulpit against this or that ministry, or derogatory slams on the forum... but I don't see many face-to-face conflicts.

In my opinion, people are more unified than they say they are. They see most other Christians as brothers in Christ, and would step out to help if others were in trouble.

I would agree. We all intermingle in the real world. We have tons of Protestants coming to our picnics and no one cares about the things that we face on these forums.

I have friends who are Catholic, of different Protestant Churches, Jehovah Witnesses, atheists and I am the only Catholic on my side of the family. Somehow, there is never a debate about the other person's Church. Imagine that.

 

[heron]

We have tons of Protestants coming to our picnics and no one cares about the things that we face on these forums.

I hope that doesn't just prove that we like to eat.

The Bible tells us that God sees all believers as His Father. A father trains his children, and does not kick them out of the house for being a little wayward. The whole thing of parenting, is providing a safe zone for growing before being ready to lead an adult life.

For this reason, we should look at other denominations the way we look at our earthly siblings -- not us, but still worth living with.
If a sister likes sleeping in, we can still be the person who gets up early; if a sister sleeps through cleaning the house, then we need to say something.