Excellent, well said.
Like you...years ago I enjoyed debates.
Sunday dinner was always fun..my dad, my brothers, my husband and myself would go at it... ...( mum and the wives never bothered) ...'iron sharpens iron.'
We'd challenge each other on why believed what we believed.
4 preachers were around the table so the debates lasted hours
We did this with friends also... I started on some Forums about 15 years ago now...back then I would enjoy a debate in a good spirit.
These days ...I come on Site read through all the new posts and threads, but I don't find much that I find inspiring enough to "get in to" ...much seem just words, and one-up-ship....but it is probably a lot to so with age.
What doesn't advance me, or encourages others along the Path can often seem empty and hollow now.
You said:-
"
Someday, we'll all see the value of sticking together in spite of denominational differences."
They found that when the Bamboo curtain and the Iron curtain came down. The testimonies showed it.
People get caught up on doctrine and think it so important.
I have never felt ever that God measures doctrine...He looks firstly at the heart and the intent.
The two commandment Jesus gave are what is in the other side of the scale when we are weighed....not doctrine.
I think I lost the lust for "perfect doctrine" when I finally saw the full nature and the Father heart of God and the power of love. When God reveals that to us, then so much in our life changes, we can never be the same.
As things are going in the world, it looks like persecution will come upon the Christians...it has already started again in China ( I know that via my nephew and family who had to get out quickly after 22 years there sharing the word. )..and it has started again in Russia.
It's coming....like you, I do not believe we will think that our pet doctrines will matter so much when it hits...it will cause those who are valiant for the Lord to sand up and be counted.
Bless you...Helen