Musing – Can we argue and still have Christian Unity?

Hebraic Musing – Can we argue and still have Christian Unity?

Yeshua argued a lot with the Pharisees.  Why?   They were seeking the truth.  In Luke 14:3 Jesus asked the Pharisees and experts in the law, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath or not?"  Arguing was the interactive teaching method used by the Jews and especially the Pharisees. 

Yeshua dealt with Sadducees quite differently.  (I recommend studying or ‘googling’ the differences between Pharisees and Sadducees)  What did Yeshua say to the Sadducees?  Matt. 22:23-24  That same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. "Teacher," they said, "Moses told us that if a man dies without having children, his brother must marry .....  They were asking a trick question; they were not seeking truth. But Jesus did answer and in vs 33-36  When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching. Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them … tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”  The Pharisees were questioning to seek the truth!  And many Pharisees became believers. 

Do we as Christians question or argue to seek the truth?  Or are we trying to convince others that our personal belief is correct?  Are Christians engaged in Bible study environments that encourage discussion, arguments, disagreements, pondering, musing, meditations, etc.?

I recently heard a description of what happens to a ‘new believer’ in traditional church settings.  “New Christians are taught to 1. Come to church; 2. Sit down; 3. Shut up; and 4. Listen.  They learn that discussing, arguing and participating are discouraged. Passivity is encouraged.”  To the extent there is truth in this statement then truth-seeking is being discouraged early in the Christian’s walk. 

A respected pastor recently said he does not want to create “Sit, Soak and Sour” Christians.  

Points to Ponder

Do we encourage Christians to question or argue to seek the truth? 
Or do we argue to convince others that our personal belief is correct?

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                                   February 11, 2014

Author of two books “Hebraic Insights” and  “Biblical Marriage”
And weekly e-mails “Hebraic Musings” 
Yosef1@cox.net  or  www.InsightsByYosef.com