What are the most controversial and heatedly debated doctrines in Christianity?

[sandman]

What are the most controversial and heatedly debated doctrines in Christianity? To be more precise, I'm looking for examples of doctrines which are:

• objectively popular, i.e., there is a significant amount of Christians who believe in this doctrine.
• objectively controversial, i.e., there is a significant amount of other Christians who reject this doctrine for different reasons, and it is not uncommon for debates to ensue when the doctrine or its rejection are brought up in the presence of an opposing party.

Answers that substantiate claims of controversy with objective statistics would be preferred.

Note: for the purposes of this question, to disambiguate the meaning of significant amount of Christians let's assume that if a doctrine is defended by at least 1 million Christians and rejected by at least 1 million other Christians, then it is objectively popular and controversial.

Note 2: given the potential combinatorial explosion of comparisons between different denominations, I would suggest that answerers define their own 'controversy scores' to help them rank controversies. One option could be to sum the numbers of Christians for and against the doctrine, or use the minimum between the two, etc. Another criterion to rank controversies could be the degree of importance attributed to the doctrine by the defending party (or to its rejection by the antagonist side). For example, if the doctrine or its rejection is considered essential for salvation by either party, that should definitely add bonus points to the controversy score. An answer listing the "top 5" or "top 10" doctrinal controversies according to a criterion thus defined would be perfectly fine in my opinion.

Note 3: another way to identify (and justify) the existence of doctrinal controversies is by finding examples of public organized debates between notable apologists representing the different positions in dispute. For example, see Debating the Eucharist // Cameron Bertuzzi vs. Matt Fradd.

I have a novel idea ….

Verify the doctrine with the Written Word of God.

If the doctrine is written in the Word…. and only 1 person agrees

But a million people disagree with that specific doctrine.

Go with the 1

 

[d taylor]

Free Grace vs Lordship Salvation

 

[renniks]

The ones I seem to see the most are baptism being necessary for salvation and determinism vs Free Will. Oh and whether Mary had sex.
That seems to really crank up the Catholics for some reason.
You would think they would allow her to let her hair down now and then!

 

[Abaxvahl]

Oh and whether Mary had sex.
That seems to really crank up the Catholics for some reason.

C.S. Lewis said Mariology discussion had such intensity since for us it's like insulting one's mother. For me I definitely feel that as in my mind it is like calling her a prostitute (since it reduces her from how the Church honors her by an insane degree and ruins totally the symbolism built around these devotions from of old). I usually try and hide that but just being 100% honest that is exactly what it feels like is being done to me. Not to mention I think St. Joseph was a virgin also so yeah, a true ruination.

 

[chevyontheriver]

The biggest debates are going to be in the world of Catholicism right now. It's been a while for me, last I was into the fray there Pacha mama was a really, really big deal. I could not tell you what is going on now but I heard things had gotten so bad that they shut down Catholic Answers.

Pachamamism is a sort of symptom. The real issue is what is up with pope Francis. Lots of Protestants love him. Lots of Catholics are exasperated. And he won't explain his bloopers, if they really are bloopers. I think this is one of the biggest controversies in Christianity at the moment. And it has the potential to re-align the whole landscape.

 

[Sabertooth]

Free Grace vs Lordship Salvation

which is the same as

...eternal security vs. conditional security,...

 

[TruthSeek3r]

(@TruthSeek3r, you don't have to resolve all of these to start walking in Salvation with Jesus. He teaches us as we go along.)

That's an interesting point. You would think that Jesus would teach the same doctrines to everybody (He would not teach contradictory doctrines to different people). So the fact that people are coming to different conclusions and embracing different doctrinal positions is clear indication that not everyone is hearing Jesus accurately, at least when these doctrines contradict each other.

How do you make sure that your doctrines are the ones that Jesus actually teaches, especially in the case of those which are most hotly debated?

 

[Basil the Great]

The teaching that all non-Christians are lost and will not go to Heaven. While many will say that the Bible does not explicitly say this, one can make the case that it implies such.

 

[SkyWriting]

What are the most controversial and heatedly debated doctrines in Christianity? To be more precise, I'm looking for examples of doctrines which are....

What is the purpose of the question you are seeking?

 

[Sabertooth]

How do you make sure that your doctrines are the ones that Jesus actually teaches, especially in the case of those which are most hotly debated?

We cannot be expected to know, thoroughly, right now [1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2].
The only advantage that a Christian has in this matter is John 14:26.

He'll Take Care Of The Rest, Keith Green (1977)

 

[d taylor]

which is the same as

Eternal security is a part of the larger picture, but many lordship people also say they believe in eternal security.

 

[LoveGodsWord]

What are the most controversial and heatedly debated doctrines in Christianity? To be more precise, I'm looking for examples of doctrines which are:

• objectively popular, i.e., there is a significant amount of Christians who believe in this doctrine.
• objectively controversial, i.e., there is a significant amount of other Christians who reject this doctrine for different reasons, and it is not uncommon for debates to ensue when the doctrine or its rejection are brought up in the presence of an opposing party.

Answers that substantiate claims of controversy with objective statistics would be preferred.

Note: for the purposes of this question, to disambiguate the meaning of significant amount of Christians let's assume that if a doctrine is defended by at least 1 million Christians and rejected by at least 1 million other Christians, then it is objectively popular and controversial.

Note 2: given the potential combinatorial explosion of comparisons between different denominations, I would suggest that answerers define their own 'controversy scores' to help them rank controversies. One option could be to sum the numbers of Christians for and against the doctrine, or use the minimum between the two, etc. Another criterion to rank controversies could be the degree of importance attributed to the doctrine by the defending party (or to its rejection by the antagonist side). For example, if the doctrine or its rejection is considered essential for salvation by either party, that should definitely add bonus points to the controversy score. An answer listing the "top 5" or "top 10" doctrinal controversies according to a criterion thus defined would be perfectly fine in my opinion.

Note 3: another way to identify (and justify) the existence of doctrinal controversies is by finding examples of public organized debates between notable apologists representing the different positions in dispute. For example, see Debating the Eucharist // Cameron Bertuzzi vs. Matt Fradd.

In this forum it is Universalism but this is only an extreme form of OSAS having it's origins in Genesis 3:1-5. In other forums God's 10 commandments including his 4th commandment that the Christian world has forgotten and ignored when God says "Remember".

 

[prophecy_uk]

Every doctrine that a man speaks of, he shows no belief in its power.


The doctrine and word of the Lord is seen in the ones who did it, Jesus Christ and His Apostles, all other are chosen by fools and spoken by the same, as is meant to be.




1 Corinthians 2:4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:

1 Thessalonians 1:5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake.

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

1 Corinthians 3:19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.

 

[Dkh587]

Trinitarianism vs Modalism vs Unitarianism

 

[klutedavid]

What are the most controversial and heatedly debated doctrines in Christianity? To be more precise, I'm looking for examples of doctrines which are:

• objectively popular, i.e., there is a significant amount of Christians who believe in this doctrine.
• objectively controversial, i.e., there is a significant amount of other Christians who reject this doctrine for different reasons, and it is not uncommon for debates to ensue when the doctrine or its rejection are brought up in the presence of an opposing party.

Answers that substantiate claims of controversy with objective statistics would be preferred.

Note: for the purposes of this question, to disambiguate the meaning of significant amount of Christians let's assume that if a doctrine is defended by at least 1 million Christians and rejected by at least 1 million other Christians, then it is objectively popular and controversial.

Note 2: given the potential combinatorial explosion of comparisons between different denominations, I would suggest that answerers define their own 'controversy scores' to help them rank controversies. One option could be to sum the numbers of Christians for and against the doctrine, or use the minimum between the two, etc. Another criterion to rank controversies could be the degree of importance attributed to the doctrine by the defending party (or to its rejection by the antagonist side). For example, if the doctrine or its rejection is considered essential for salvation by either party, that should definitely add bonus points to the controversy score. An answer listing the "top 5" or "top 10" doctrinal controversies according to a criterion thus defined would be perfectly fine in my opinion.

Note 3: another way to identify (and justify) the existence of doctrinal controversies is by finding examples of public organized debates between notable apologists representing the different positions in dispute. For example, see Debating the Eucharist // Cameron Bertuzzi vs. Matt Fradd.

Faith and works is one topic I have seen often.

Eschatology is another topic that can get heated at times.

There are so many topics debated in Christianity.

 

[prophecy_uk]

Talk is the topic that is disputed, as works cant be, who can deny somebody doing good for someone, but all talk is cheap and is the best forums can offer.

 

[Jipsah]

What are the most controversial and heatedly debated doctrines in Christianity?

The Real Presence in the Eucharist rather than simply symbolism. My tag line kinda hints at where I stand on that question.

 

[covid-19v1]

Easy Believism --

It's a belief that you can enjoy a sinful life after accepting Christ as Savior, without worry of losing salvation (because salvation is by "faith alone"). You are free to commit any sin, including the worship of other gods (yes, I heard them say that on radio).

In other words, they basically believe you could trick God into a salvation contract.... because "faith alone".

 

[SkyWriting]

Easy Believism --

It's a belief that you can enjoy a sinful life after accepting Christ as Savior, without worry of losing salvation (because salvation is by "faith alone"). You are free to commit any sin, including the worship of other gods (yes, I heard them say that on radio).

In other words, they basically believe you could trick God into a salvation contract.... because "faith alone".

"In other words" is when you need to distort a source. You may complain about what (specific) people have said if you wish.

We are sinners, we remain sinners after we are saved. No matter what sins we have committed in the past or in the future, God does not "unforgive" us and Jesus does not "un-die" then die again later.

There is no "Easy Forgiveness" where God only forgives the small sins then uses "Take-Backs!" when we sin again.

 

[Tigger45]

Sola Scriptura vs sacred tradition.