From Warnings To The Churches by J.C. Ryle (1816-1900):
Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity…But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching that is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin.
Shane Vander Hart
Editor & Founder at Caffeinated Thoughts
Shane Vander Hart is the founder and editor-in-chief of Caffeinated Thoughts. He is also the President of 4:15 Communications, LLC, a social media & communications consulting/management firm. Prior to this Shane spent 20 years in youth ministry serving in church, parachurch, and school settings. He has also served as an interim pastor and is a sought after speaker and pulpit fill-in. Shane has been married to his wife Cheryl since 1993 and they have three kids. Shane and his family reside near Des Moines, IA.
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But it seems to me that most divisions in the church occur over things like music genre, a pastor who people dislike, and other issues which are perhaps important, but which a church should grow from, not separate over.
PJ Miller at “Sola Dei Gloria” posted a sermond clip by Paul Washer on his blog last night on this very topic. I’ve never heard any discussion of division in the church quite like this. It is worth every second of your time to watch this.
http://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/the-church-is-one-false-prophets-will-pay-paul-washer/
Amen and Amen! Ryle spoke out against the early Keswick influences in his day. In the 1920’s & 30’s there were movements such as the Independent Fundamental Churches of America (IFCA) and the Orthodox Presbyterian Church who did the same separating themselves from liberalism. It’s time once again for that to happen as Evangelicalism slides even further down the slippery slope via the Emergent, Exchanged Life, and Contemplative Spirituality movements.
Nice quote. Yes, we should unify whenever possible. Yes, we should even tolerate a little music we don’t like and some teaching styles we don’t either. We should also not feel that all churches need to be the same. How boring. But as soon as I hear that we need overlook major doctrinal differences for the cause, you can pretty much bet that the cause of Christ is finished with that organization.