The Great Divide

All week long I worked on an argument to support a thesis of one of those biblical 'grey' areas and was fully prepared to share it in its entirety but am now convicted to refrain. My conviction comes from the reasoning of that I can be overly passionate and rather dogmatic when discussing beliefs. This is something that I must work on for it is incredibly easy for me to become a 'theological bully' if you will when it comes to sharing God's Word. Additionally, much can be read in another's words on paper. Something may be construed completely out of context that the author never intended.

Different viewpoints have always and will continue to exist within the church. As Christians, we are called to live in community with other believers to preserve Ephesians 4:3; "diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit that binds us." "No matter the particular issue, all disagreements occur only because one or more parties in the disagreement are at least partially to error. Both you and I can be wrong when we differ over something, but we cannot both be totally right. Not every error is a legitimate cause for division, and differences must be tolerated whenever they do not undermine Christian faith (Tabletalk, Ligonier Ministries, August 4, 2008)."

I will continue to defend God's Word with not only evidence from God's Word, but extra-biblical texts as well. It is my prayer that my passion for God's Word not be misunderstood as anger. Debate, discussion, arguing or whatever else you want to call it helps me (and others) to think and to rethink views that have shaped us throughout our cultural lives. Discussion assists me (and others) to further immerse myself in God's Word to reinforce my position; or to completely change it altogether. I appreciate everyone's comments and I greatly look forward to discussion with everyone. I will not, however allow nonessential truths to break fellowship of the Body of Christ.

in His sovereign and loving grip,
-josh