Foolish Controversies

“But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” Titus 3:9-11 

“For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” I Cor 11:18-19

“I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Eph 4:1-3

Christians are not supposed to have anything to do with a person who stirs up foolish controversies/dissensions that unnecessarily divide the Church. This is not talking about standing up against clear false teaching as there are many verses that instruct the Church to do just that (see I John 4:1). In Paul’s day there were foolish disputes over clean and unclean foods, Sabbath regulations, and observance of holy days. Arguments arose over genealogies, both angelic and human. There was bickering over intricate regulations that had been superimposed on the law. Today we might see arguments over predestination vs free will, whether one can lose their salvation, the type of music/worship used in the Church – more formal vs praise, the need for a paster to wear a suit, etc. Instead of building up the unity of the Church, these controversies create discord. Division here means “dissension and division as a result of incompatible ambitions”. At the core, these persons are ambitious to have their viewpoints on non-fundamental doctrines reign supreme.

Persons who cause this unnecessary dissension are to be shunned after warnings. Such persons are described as warped and sinful; tearing down the unity of the Church. Interestingly, these problems with unity are allowed by God, in His providence, so that the church could recognize the believers who promote concord and who were thus worth following.

Let us endeavor to be the type of Christian that is humble, gentle, patient, loving and eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace while still standing against false teaching in the Church.