the weblog of Alan Knox

Disagreement is not Disunity

Posted by on Apr 19, 2011 in community, discipleship, unity | 11 comments

Disagreement is not Disunity

This post is the first of a two-part series on the relationship between agreement and unity, disagreement and disunity. In this post, I want to point out that disagreement is not disunity, and thus (in the positive sense) unity does not require uniformity.

Let’s start with a statement that, hopefully, everyone reading this will agree with: disunity is a major problem among the church. The church is splintered in its expression in spite of being one in Christ. This is a huge problem. However, forcing (or requiring) people to agree with one another about everything does not lead to unity. In the same way, disunity is not caused directly because people disagree with one another.

There are several passages of Scripture that demonstrate that unity can result in spite of disagreement. For this post, I will focus on only one passage: Romans 14-15.

In the very first verse of Romans 14, Paul urges his readers not to quarrel over opinions. (Romans 14:1) From this verse we know right away that there were differing opinions and, therefore, disagreements. In the following verses, Paul illustrates unity in spite of disagreement with two points of theology: 1) eating certain foods and 2) considering one day as more important than others. Each of these are theological issues because the people involved consider the food or the day as important to their relationship with or worship of God.

However, Paul exhorts his readers to remain united in spite of these differences. How should they do this: 1) by each person being convinced in their own conscience, 2) by not passing judgment on others because of the disagreements, 3) by never causing a brother or sister to stumble against their own conscience, and 4) by seeking to please others and not yourself. (Note that this last one is also written in the context of dealing with disagreements.)

Thus, besides each person being convinced of their own opinions, all of the other exhortations focus on the other person, not on the self. As long as we are focused on ourselves, we will seek to lead others into agreement with us. But, agreement with us should never be our goal. Instead, we seek to help each other in our relationships with God. (Of course, if we are not focused on others, then we will assume that WE are correct, that the OTHERS are wrong, and that the only way that they can grow in their relationship with God is for them to change to our way of thinking, understanding, and living. This is NOT what Paul is saying.)

Finally – and most importantly – we all must continually make sure that our focus is on God. As Paul says, God is the source of both endurance and encouragement (Romans 15:5) – both of which we will need to live in unity with those with whom we disagree. But, notice that it is this endurance and encouragement from God that leads to living in harmony with one another and in harmony with Jesus Christ. Harmony (unity) with one another and with Jesus Christ does not come through agreement, but through reliance on God and the endurance and encouragement that he provides.

When we live together in this way – relying only on God, not on our ability to agree with one another – we will find that our lives are lived in unity much like the different voices of a choir (or the different instruments of an orchestra) join together to form beautiful music. Then we will glorify God as with one voice. (Romans 15:6)


Please share this article on your social networks:

    Related posts:
    1. Continuing the discussion on disagreement and disunity
    2. Even more on disagreement and disunity
    3. When Disagreements Lead to Disunity
    4. Stop the Disunity
    5. Unity. Real or Ideal?
    6. The Sharp Disagreement Between Paul and Barnabas
    7. Taking steps toward relational unity

    11 Comments

    1. 4-19-2011
      Bobby says:

      this is very convicting for me. My disagreements lately have revolved around church model and practice. Of course I think my way promotes more unity but in my public disagreements what I have done is judged others and brought disunity. I timely and needed post for me. Thanks Alan.

    2. 4-19-2011
      Art Mealer says:

      I really like what you are pulling out of this.

      If I understand your point, and its implications, then we should be more concerned that other saints obey what they understand without being discouraged and attacked, than that they change what they understand to “my” or “our” understanding (well, and of course we both consider our understandings to be more perfect and correct, or we would change them–unless ego and pride gets in the way!).

      So, our focus is on helping and encouraging others to maintain their relationship to Christ as they follow their present understanding (rather than wounding their consciences in doing things my/our way). Which obedience and yieldedness I also must be doing/demonstrating/modeling.

      In this way, I am not competing for correctness, but collaborating mutually in our obedience and yieldedness to God. In that context, they are freer to reconsider their understandings (and I, mine). And, probably, they are more attuned as a result to listen to what God is saying to them in these areas (an attunement that we certainly should be encouraging in each other, but so often in our ill-considered zeal we want to be the mediator between others and God). We are then both more able to discuss what we understand differently, because we are only (primarily?) held accountable to each other for our faithfulness, rather than our correctness per se.

      I have to admit, a part of me is thinking how futile and counter-productive it was to argue the benefits or shortfalls of boys my daughter liked (which only entrenched and enflamed our differences of opinion–even if my assessment was wiser and more correct). It was WAY more effective to encourage her to be wise and discerning on her own than to try to convince her of my position.

      (Of course, I’m assuming we would all agree there are some non-flexible things like the Gospel…and the pulpit thing for goodness sakes :) ). But in almost all other areas, it might be good to allow each other time to grow and “morph” our understandings over time as we journey and grow with Him and each other.

      Do you see this somewhat akin to Paul commending “fragile babes” to God (being so recently converted and briefly taught) as he moved on in His traveling, knowing that God is able to guide and keep His own if we let Him and don’t end up fighting against Him?

      Do you also see this as leading us towards Paul’s exhortations in II Tim 2:23-25?

      2 Timothy 2:23-25 (King James Version)

      “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;”

    3. 4-19-2011
      Art Mealer says:

      Oh, the more I think of this (PLEASE don’t tell me I’m way off base…), the more I like this. I can imagine so many other areas, where we could disagree and yet support each other. Then, we would not inevitably find ourselves in coercive and competitive relationships that end up in divisions, often with wounds and bitterness.

    4. 4-19-2011
      Alan Knox says:

      Bobby,

      Exactly. I have to catch myself. The thing is, other people think their interpretation/way of life is best and promotes unity as well.

      Art,

      Your comments are usually better than most posts. This is no exception! The only thing I would add is our focus should be on helping each other grow in our relationships with Christ, not just maintain them.

      -Alan

    5. 4-19-2011
      Duchessdad (Jerry) says:

      I always heard it’s okay to disagree as long as you agree to disagree agreeably. Being both confident and knowledgeable of your position can lead to good discussions without becoming argumentative. Ravi Zacharias recounts many discussions with those of opposing faiths in which common sense and respect can glean much. My Bible school professor used to tell us that when you came to an impasse to take your discussion to the foot and shadow of the Cross. Leaning on Paul as he says, “I count it all loss but Christ and Him crucified.” If all which we do is to exalt Jesus Christ then our approach should reflect that. That said, also realizing fellow Christians share a spiritual “rebirth”. All our discussions should encourage growth within that “rebirth”.

    6. 4-19-2011
      Alan Knox says:

      Jerry,

      I’m focusing mainly on disagreements and unity among Christians in this post. I agree that our response to disagreements and our desire to exalt Jesus above all is very important in maintaining unity in spite of disagreements.

      -Alan

    7. 10-25-2011
      Steve Sensenig says:

      This is excellent!! I could not agree more. Along similar lines, I have long maintained that if there is any disunity or separation, we should always make sure it is the other person separating or remaining out of union with us and not us pushing them away. We should always be open to those relationships being reconciled.

      Thanks for sharing this, and I look forward to hearing further thoughts on it.

    8. 10-26-2011
      Judy Gale says:

      This is similar to having a posture of ‘radical hospitality’ and ‘generous spaciousness,’ two things I have gleaned recently from Wendy Gritter and her Bridging The Gap blog.
      Generous Spaciousness: 
      •       acknowledge reality of diverse perspectives: principles of a disputable matter
      •       posture of hospitality: all are welcome
      •       posture of humility:  I could be wrong
      •       posture of grace:  good fruit is good fruit

      Thank you Alan for sharing this!!! I was directed here via a tweet from SS, and I, too, am looking forward to more on this…. Blessings to you!!!!
       

    9. 10-26-2011
      Alan Knox says:

      Steve,

      Thanks for the comment. I love what you said, especially the part about being open to reconciliation.

      Judy,

      I like the description of “generous spaciousness.” To me, it’s simply spelling out what Paul wrote in Romans 15:7.

      -Alan

    10. 4-30-2012
      Sheree says:

      I really get a lot from your posts, just wish the church would listen…

    11. 4-30-2012
      Alan Knox says:

      Thanks, Sheree! I’m sure that some are listening, and I’m learning to listen to others as well. :)

      -Alan

    Trackbacks/Pingbacks

    1. When Disagreements Lead to Disunity | The Assembling of the Church - [...] in discipleship, unity | 0 comments TweetShareIn my previous post, I concluded that ...
    2. Continuing the discussion on disagreement and disunity | The Assembling of the Church - [...] this week, I wrote two posts on the topic of disagreement and disunity: “Disagreement is not Disunity” and “When ...
    3. Agreement Equals Unity? | RaVae Erickson - [...] I have read this post by Alan Knox (no idea who this guy is, I found his blog through ...
    4. Spiritual Warfare; Unanswered Prayer; Ed Stetzer; Herman Cain; and much more | ChosenRebel's Blog - [...] Can’t Do as Well (James MacDonald) Can Christians Ever Get Over Paul? (Ed Cyzewski) Disagreement is Not Disunity (Alan ...

    Leave a Comment