Doctrine Unites, Part 2

Some division is good. Some division is bad.

Some division is bad and has a bad effect. Read 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 3:1-4 for an example.

Some division is good and has a good effect. Read 1 Corinthians 11:18-19. "Doctrine divides" overlooks the good kind of division and focuses overmuch on division as a bad thing. Some people seem to treat all division as if it were bad, when it is not.

Here are some examples of doctrines that are very much worth dividing over, and in fact it is explicitly commanded to do so in several of these cases.

1. Another gospel. Galatians 1:6-9. "We are saved by Jesus Christ after all that we can do" is an oft-repeated Mormon doctrine and it is worthy of good division because we are saved by Jesus Christ apart from all that we can do.
2. Unorthodox teaching about Jesus. For example, some hold the doctrine that Jesus is Michael the archangel. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe this. 2 John 9-10.
3. Jesus is not God’s Son, or that God has no Son (Islam). John 5:23, 2 John 3.
4. That Jesus did not come in the flesh. 1 John 4:2-3, 2 John 7.
5. Those who cause divisions and offenses contrary to sound doctrine. Romans 16:17-18.
6. The doctrine of Balaam. Rev. 2:14.
7. The doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which Jesus hates. Rev. 2:15.
8. "Strange doctrines." Heb. 13:9.
9. Not consenting to wholesome words and the doctrine which is in agreement with godliness. 1 Tim. 6:3.
10. The doctrines of demons. 1 Tim. 4:1.
11. The opposite of sound doctrine, including behaviors such as fornication, sodomy, kidnappers, lying, etc. 1 Tim. 1:10.
12. The commandments of men. Mark 7:7.
13. Teach no other doctrine. 1 Tim. 1:3.

Part 3 will detail why "doctrine divides" is a false teaching.