This topic will be similar to the one on denominations a few days ago, but that post was long enough and this one also deals with something that erupts within the same church. Solomon talks about the reading of books and never ending debate. It's something we see a lot in the Bible. The early church was said to "debate the scriptures," which was a common practice for the Jews for two thousand years. Jesus, himself, would enter the synagogue and do the same. You might wonder why he was allowed to speak so often, when the Pharisees disagreed with him, but that's because it was normal practice. Rabbis would get together, present ideas and arguments, and talk them through. If one you who vehemently opposed to, you'd tear your clothes and rip hair out of your beard. (as we read in the gospels) It wasn't something new. Until Jesus started gathering a following and turning the hearts of people away from the long standing traditions.
Within the church, today, there is so much debate about what's proper and what's not. The gifts of the Spirit, the role of the church, actions for salvation, the Tribulation, proper ceremony and so many. It's gotten so intense, the church has split into dozens of denominations. People surrounding themselves with those who agree with them. This is nothing new, as even Paul and Barnabas would split, they disagreed so sharply. People are different. They do things in different ways. They understand things differently. Diversity is normal. It was created by God.
However, we must remember a few things. Firstly, Paul tells us to keep our disagreements within the church. We should not be showing the world our "dirty laundry." He recognized that the disagreements are usually over trivial matters, but the world would likely perceive it as a disagreement of deep meaning. It could turn people away from God, even though the answer really wouldn't matter that much, compared to salvation.
Next, we must rebuke and correct out of love. So often, it's prideful arrogance that escalates something both sides could've easily brushed off. One side has to get the other to concede, where they simply wish for it to end. You don't win someone with insults, anger or threats. Your heart should be trying to show them the truth of scripture and not trying to triumph.
Finally, the Bible, the written Word of God, can never be said to be flawed. If a single verse is wrong, than the entirety of it is suspect. We can no longer trust in what it says about salvation, grace or even sin. It is our guiding light to who Christ is. That being said, anything outside of the Bible, does not have the same authority it does. The Catholic that led me to post the denominations post, JW's, LDS, and others I have argued with have vehemently stood by their stance, saying I am wrong, because others say it is. Because someone after the Bible interpreted the meanings of the words written. They're finding hidden truths, new texts or being called to add to it. They resort to teachers, preachers, authors, philosophers, theologians and other people, relying on their interpretation, rather than trusting in the Bible, itself. Teaching from credible and insightful believers is a great thing to immerse yourself in. But if anything they say, differs from the Bible or adds to it, demanding it be treated with the same authority, they are wrong.
This has been a miserable thing for me to experience in my own life. There have been two different speakers now who I admired greatly for their work. I bought resources they've done, used their study Bible, referenced them when sharing with others, only to have it crashing down when a message of their slams against the very Word of God. It's not that it invalidates everything they've said that is true (even the Bible says this) but rather it's so breaking to see someone you thought was a giant of faith, openly declare they know better than God in a manner. Not in those words, but in their deeds or message.
This is why it's important to hide the Word of God in our hearts. Often times when a discussion, turns debate, turns to argument, I will stop using my own words and simply quote verses. After a few I will point out that it's not me who they're now calling wrong, it's the Bible. It's also important to reread scripture, to pour over it again and again. To make sure you're remembering passages and stories correctly. I have also had it happen where I blended two sayings of Jesus together. After being called out and not being able to find the passage, it was embarrassing. My argument was still valid, but it did have one less major supporting point from the Bible to stand on. Of course, this has happened to me at times where I could not find a passage for hours, then weeks later, I stumble across it again. Which is almost more frustrating, as now the person thinks less of me and I can't really show him what God was saying in the passage without bringing back the argument.
After saying there will be no end to debates, Solomon gives us the best advice for any argument we may have. Plainly, don't argue. Fear the Lord and follow His commandments. If we do that, we're good. Winning arguments doesn't matter. And if the one you're arguing with is doing the same, it's ok if he doesn't agree with you. Jesus further simplifies it. Instead of the entire Law of God, he brings it down to two things. Love God. Love others. Because all other righteousness hinges on these two things.
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