Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity
- Thread starter St. SteVen
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Embracing Doctrinal Diversity - Unity in diversity
In the same way we have learned to understand and respect cultural diversity,we should learn to understand and respect doctrinal diversity.
Can Catholics and Protestants respect one another despite our doctrinal differences? (yes)
What about Baptists and Pentecostals? (yes) You name it. How far apart can we get?
Build bridges, not walls.
I am not convinced that doctrinal diversity is a good thing, as such. It is rather a result of our imperfections. We should tolerate it, but not pursue it or celebrate it.
And the tolerance should be only until it reaches some point after which it is no longer acceptable.
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stevesonthebay
Active Member
Heres the problem I see with doctrinal diversity. It comes from the same idea as cultural and religious diversity. Therefore its not just allowing contradictory doctrines withon the same religion. It also has to allow religious and cultural diversity.
It comes from the same egalitarian worldview and if you don't allow religious diversity then this is doing exactly what the principle of inclusion is meant to advocate for. Which is diversity and inclusion of different views and beliefs.
It doesn't work. There can only be one doctrine and one truth that all are united uinder as far as the core principles of Christianity are concerned.
In fact the fragmented church we see today is the result of this multi denominational and doctrinal idea in the first place. Its what has divided the church and not united it. Yet in the early church there was not diversity of belief and doctrine. There was only one that all followed and were united under.
Doctrinal diversity builds walls by its very nature. It cultivates divisions and this becomes a barrier where those who disagree become seperated. Its not like they are disagreeing over icecream flavors. This is another falsehood. That the differences are minor. If they were minor then why are they fracturing churches.
Actually, even in the earliest first apostolic church, there already were plenty of diversities. Those "from James" vs. Paul is probably the most known example. It is true that the ecumenical/apostolic church then decided what is the correct doctrine, but after that, more and more internal conflicts were appearing so it needed more and more ecumenical councils to solve them, but then the great division in 1004 AD and then reformation happened and these divisions are not solved till this day.
I would say it is the human nature of things, to make mistakes and to teach them others. Maybe one day, the Church will unite again.
You don't have to agree 100% with someone's doctrine to consider them a brother or sister in Christ.
What's the alternative? Tribal wars?
Doctrinolatry - tribalism and division in the Body of Christ
The Unity and Division threads - Unified to one topic - Divided by links
your correct Christ prayed in john 17 for us to be one in Him.that is where our unity is in him. many focus on the denominational name . i have experienced it your a what ? o ok or your welcome to sit in service with us.. but thats all you can do
Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?
Who decides?
Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?
This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...
www.christianityboard.com
no i would not i can work with them but if the doctrine does not line up with scriptures..i back out move on.. i do not compromise what i know is rightWould you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?
Who decides?
Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of doctrinal unity?
This is a follow-up to the previous topic: Unity of the faith - at what cost? Link below. Probably the biggest roadblock to Christian doctrinal unity is holding on to the freedom we have to determine our own beliefs. Would you surrender your own beliefs in the cause of Christian doctrinal...
Thanks.
This is why doctrinal unity across the board would not work. IMHO
No one wants to surrender their doctrine to a religious ruling body.
(unless you are Catholic or something)
stevesonthebay
Active Member
I guess it depends on what doctrine it is. There are core doctines that can never be changed. The disagreement and division over doctrine can range for core or fringe disagreements.
But its not so much the specific doctrinal disagreements. But the idea that there can be disagreements on core issues. That there is no single and unifying truth.
It is this idea that is causing the tribal thinking. Because it is based on the idea that the church is broken down into denominations with different and even conflicting beliefs. That actually cause the church to fragment and become tribal.
At the end of the day we see growing division and conflct in the church which reflects the same thing happening in secular society and thats not a good thing. In fact I think it was Clement who mentions that division is the beginning of sin entering the church. That division and conflict and Christ cannot coexist.
should i surrender to teaching of purgatory or what the Mormons teach or j.w or any other false doctrine. i can be friends with them but not as a christian fellowship in worship
Ronald Nolette
Well-Known Member
We can respect each other, but we cannot fellowship with false doctrine. We need to build both bridges and walls. I cannot fellowship with one who believes they can lose their salvation. Because that is teaching that Jesus blood did not forgive all sins in a believers life! That is false doctrine and must be resisted at all costs. If a person chooses to attach themselves to such a doctrine- then I must build a wall.
unity is not always being in full agreement in certain doctrines. what is unity
1.
the state of being united or joined as a whole.
Unity is a state of oneness and harmony. All believers in Christ are united in Christ. We are in a relationship that unites us with Him and with every other believer. john 17 : 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. i have attended Churches parts of there doctrine i dont agree with. but my main agreement is virgin birth of Christ crucified rose again coming again. one Lord one faith one baptism . we agree man must be born again /saved . the rest is personal belief doctrine .
now then i cant not have fellowship /unity with darkness we are united in Christ the apostle paul and peter were 2 different type people .. some things peter was confused on. paul disagreed showed him different. paul was a educated man peter was a fishermen i love peters writings ..i call it the been there done that chapters.
i like the apostle paul writings to but his thoughts was different you have to remember he knew the law inside and out.. but he also understood grace rather well.
i can not agree with the pope teaching but if the time was there and allowed to work with him.. not being bridled back in my doctrine of scriptures.
1.
the state of being united or joined as a whole.
Unity is a state of oneness and harmony. All believers in Christ are united in Christ. We are in a relationship that unites us with Him and with every other believer. john 17 : 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. i have attended Churches parts of there doctrine i dont agree with. but my main agreement is virgin birth of Christ crucified rose again coming again. one Lord one faith one baptism . we agree man must be born again /saved . the rest is personal belief doctrine .
now then i cant not have fellowship /unity with darkness we are united in Christ the apostle paul and peter were 2 different type people .. some things peter was confused on. paul disagreed showed him different. paul was a educated man peter was a fishermen i love peters writings ..i call it the been there done that chapters.
i like the apostle paul writings to but his thoughts was different you have to remember he knew the law inside and out.. but he also understood grace rather well.
i can not agree with the pope teaching but if the time was there and allowed to work with him.. not being bridled back in my doctrine of scriptures.
'Hast thou faith?
have it to thyself before God.
Happy is he that condemneth not himself
in that thing which he alloweth.'
(Rom 14:22)
Hello @St. SteVen,
' I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord,
beseech you that ye walk worthy
of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
With all lowliness and meekness,
with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love;
Endeavouring to keep
.. the unity of the Spirit
.... in the bond of peace.
...... There is
........ one body, and
.......... one Spirit, even as ye are called in
............ one hope of your calling;
.............. One Lord,
................ one faith,
.................. one baptism,
.................... One God and Father of all,
Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.'
(Eph 4:1-7)
This is 'the unity of the spirit'. It is already made, it is therefore not for us to make another, Just keep this one as instructed.
In Christ Jesus
Chris
Giving respect to others is just and paramount; however, showing, agreeing, adapting, etcetera to “doctrinal diversity” is suspect and not supported scripturally.
There are many scriptural references about this subject. I have identified, for consideration, a lengthy list. Consider: Matthew 7:15-23; Acts 17:11; 20:29,30; Romans 16:17; 1Corinthians 1:19; 4:6; Ephesians 1:17; 5:10; Philippians 1:9; Colossians 1:9; 2:2, 8; 2Thessalonians 2:3; 1Timothy 4:1-3; 2Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 3:9-11; 2Peter 2:1-3.
Enjoy the reading!
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amigo de christo
Well-Known Member
that unity IS THE WRONG UNITY my friend .
THAT UNITY was and is the v ery same unity that the we are one builders of the great tower Of babel
ALL HAD IN COMMON . YOU JUST SPOKE of the dead wrong unity that i have long been warning against .
IF GOD WAS SO PLEASED WITH THEIR UNITY , their one common goal , their common ground
WHY DID HE SCATTER THEM ALL . YOU SEE your v ersion of unity COMETH OF MEN , NOT G OD .
OUR UNITY IS DETERMINED by THE DOCTRINE OF JESUS CHRIST .
IN fact we are to MARK those who bring divsions CONTRARY TO THE DOCTRINE
and AVOID THEM . NOT JUST JOIN HANDS and overlook stuff . THAT IS ExACTLY how the churches fell my friend .
The force is st rong in you my friend , onl y ITS THE WRONG force .
IT IS NOW BIBLE TIME IN THE HOUSE for you . start reading , start learning and stop omitting .
BarneyFife
Well-Known Member
There truly is no other way to exert positive influence.
But further yet, we should prefer service to teaching and sermonizing.
A lesson or sermon will only influence as much as it serves.
I mean within reason, of course.
We don't need to shun someone simply because they have a slightly different view of things than we do.
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