The Value of Division

I was thinking today about the value of our divisions. Now, in light of Christ's teaching on unity and oneness among his disciples, you might be wondering how I could possible see any value in the rampant divisions and denominations in the Lord's church.

Usually, the argument in favor of division has to do with theological points. The idea is that because theology is important, it is worth dividing over. While this position is true to extent (and ONLY to an extent), it is not what I have in mind.

In fact, I think the value in our divisions and theological disagreements is that because of them, we are forced to learn how to love each other and work with each other in spite of them. Our internal disagreements provide us with growth opportunities to become more like our Master.

For example, instead of Baptists and Prebyterians dividing over the issues of baptism, the Lord's supper, and liturgical matters, we are presented with an opportunity to find ways to operate as one - just as we truly are in Christ. Is there a way for Baptists and Presbyterians to accept each other in Christian fellowship, membership, or - gasp! - even leadership in spite of our theological differences? Is there not a way to, out of love, move into dialog with each other - concious of the fact that we are brothers and sisters in Christ, rather than opponents? Is there a way to move from that loving dialog into loving fellowship? Is there a way to move from the loving fellowship into loving partnership? Would I be pushing my luck to ask if there was a way for Presbyterians and Baptists to function as one church, with people from both perspectives operating within the local body and even on the leadership team?

I dream of a church that values theology AND unity. When I speak of unity, I'm not talking about unity within a local church group with the occasional softball game with the "frozen chosen" down the street or them crazy Pentacostals accross the tracks. I'm talking about true, one church, one team, one goal unity. Sure we may have different perspectives on some matters of our faith. Baptism, the Lord's Supper, the Holy Spirit - all can be contentious subject matters. But should we not strive to make our oneness in Christ a oneness in practice? Should we not identify the fundamentals of the faith, divide over them, and lovingly dialog over the rest while enjoying fellowship and membership with each other, striving for the common goal of kingdom progression?

Have you ever wondered why God gave us his revelation in Scripture in the form of historical narratives, poetry, apocalyptic literature, and letters as opposed to a straightforward catechism? I think it was so that we would have to learn how to lovingly overcome our differences of position and unite as one in spite of them. I think it was so that we could learn how to value each other over our various theological positions. Again, it's not that I don't think theology is important. After all, what you believe can save you or damn you. I just think that there are some matters that are weightier than others (the authority of Scripture, the Trinity, justification through faith, etc), and that our focus should be to rally around that which is truly major, and lovingly dialogue over the minors in true Christian fellowship