Biblical Disagreement

Disagreement is based on what we believe, not what we know.  What we believe is based on what we interpret.  What we interpret can be based on background, cultural beliefs, experiences, religious preferences, and upbringing.  Disagreements rarely start or grow over facts; they grow when we want somebody to believe what we believe.  Biblical disagreement is no different.

In the New Testament, authors address biblical disagreements in the following Books:

• Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John
• 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians and 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• Titus
• 1 Peter and 2 Peter
• 1, 2, and 3 John
• Jude

In case you want the math, this is 70% of our modern New Testament.  So far, scholars find that Thessalonians is the oldest Book in the New Testament, making biblical disagreement one of the most prevalent (and oldest) internal conflicts in Christianity.  As believers, what do we do about this?  How do we re-mesh what it broken by beliefs, traditions, and interpretations?  With God's Help, I have compiled three ways to combat biblical disagreement

 The first one is  to understand that multiple messages can come from one Scripture.  Scripture is essentially a truth sold through literature.  Literature is beautiful not because of the stories, but because of the many things we take from it.  What I take from Psalm 23 and what you take from it beautifies the Scripture without changing its Truth and the Good News that comes with it.  The Lord is both of our Shepherd regardless of how we slice the cake.  But, our different experiences with Him as our Shepherd makes Him that much more all-powerful. 

The second way is to understand that the whole engine behind the Word of God is love.  Regardless of how we see love, we know it when we feel it, and we know it feels better to have it than to not have it.  How can you include love in your differing interpretations of God's Word?  It is the one thing that cannot be falsified, misinterpreted, sold or twisted for profit.  It is the first Commandment from God, the greatest Commandment from Jesus, and one of the most remembered lessons from Paul in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 13:4)

The third way is to know the difference between spiritual growth and theological growth.  I have seen people argue a theological topic from a spiritual point-of-view, and vice versa.  Theological growth is more of an academic and historical approach to God's Word.  While this is not necessarily a bad thing, it is a far cry from spiritual growth, which involves personal struggles, healing, and deliverance.  It is almost impossible to argue from these two standpoints and come to a middle ground.

I pray that you allow God to carry you through your differing views of Scripture, keeping one Spirit and one Truth at the forefront of every discussion and with Jesus at the center of every confession.

By: Minister Micah