by Dave Brown
Ye often hear it said ...
“I refuse to debate doctrinal matters.”
but Luke reported (Acts 15:7) ...
"... there
had been much debate ..."
As with most false teachings there is a grain of truth in
what is often heard. We should not be contentious or enjoy arguing. But as
Christian soldiers there is a time to take up arms and go to war. Our arms are
spiritual in nature (Eph. 6:13f).
We live in a time when it is widely taught and believed that
there is no such thing as absolute truth, and that religious agreement is
virtually impossible. And, as we see the divisions that crept into the first
century churches (e.g., see 1 Cor.), we see that this is not a new idea. But
today it has been given the status of a doctrine itself. Christians are told
that they can be divided on just about any issue that might separate them
except one. And the one they disallow is the very one that Paul was teaching
in 1 Cor 1:10: “Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that you all agree, and there be no divisions among you, but you be
made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment.” Our Lord prayed
fervently for it in His last hours (John 17:23): “I in them, and Thou in Me, that
they may be perfected in unity, that the world may know that Thou didst send
Me, and didst love them, even as Thou didst love Me.” And yet, it is the one
thing that is disallowed by the ecumenicals who insist it is impossible. Not
so if we would just put down the traditions of men and pick up our bibles.
This is your individual obligation.