Not
according to the writer of an article in Christianity today.
The
writer, a “pastor” (his word – not mine) entitled the article
“Doctrinal Differences Don’t Matter.”
Do doctrinal differences matter? If they do, to whom do they
matter? Well, certainly all of us have friends, relatives, and
neighbors with whom we do not agree on all points of doctrine. Do
these differences matter or should we just ignore them? Baptism or
no baptism; arbitrary predestination or faithful obedience;
mechanical instruments or a capella singing. Does this really
matter to God or are we just being picky?
Instead of relying on subjective human reasoning, let’s give God a
chance to answer the question for Himself. Surely we would not be so
presumptuous as to answer for Him if He has already spoken on the
matter. Let’s read and listen:
Matt. 16:12 Then they
understood that He did not tell them to beware of the leaven of bread,
but of the doctrine
of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
John 7:17 "If anyone
wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine,
whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
Rom. 16:17 Now I urge you,
brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the
doctrine
which you learned, and avoid them.
1 Cor. 1:10 Now I plead
with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all
speak
the same thing, and that
there be no divisions among you, but that you be
perfectly joined together in the same
mind and in the same judgment.
Eph 4:14 that we should no
longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every
wind of doctrine,
by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful
plotting
1Tim. 1:3 As I urged you
when I went into Macedonia--remain in Ephesus that you may charge some
that they teach no other doctrine
2John 1:9,10 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine
of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both
the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this
doctrine,
do not receive him into your house nor greet him
Jude 3 Beloved, while I was
very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found
it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for
all delivered to the saints. Doctrinal
differences might not matter for some but they sure do in Heaven! [Doug]