If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.
1 Timothy 6:3-5 NIV
Sovereignty, election, predestination, free will, rapture, inerrancy, dispensations, millennium, etc. It is quite likely that you have heard these words used in discussions between believers. And unfortunately, those discussions often become heated. While this passage warns us about false teachers who delight in controversy, it is relevant to all theological discussions.
While God’s word is inspired and truthful in all it teaches, we are fallible humans. And we bring our humanity to the Bible as we read and study it. Inevitably, we will sometimes disagree on what it says to us. There can be disagreement even among the most godly and learned people. Disagreement is inevitable. But that disagreement does not need to be divisive.
Paul tells us to avoid getting caught up in controversies and quarrels about words. Quarrels that result in conflict between brothers and sisters in Christ. There is nothing wrong with discussions over topics we disagree on. But we need to do so in a loving manner. Let those discussions draw us deeper into God and his word rather than divide us.
