Biggest issue of debate among Christian Churches

[Bro. Ruben]

Just wondering what is the biggest issue or basis of debate among Christian churches. Is it salvation by faith alone vs. faith & baptism; Calvinism vs. Armenianism; Rapture; tithing, etc?

For me, I guess most Christian churches are divided on views about salvation (faith vs. faith & baptism) and that on Calvin vs. Armenian.

How about for Baptist Churches alone, what’s the “hottest” issue?

God bless. Thanks.

 

[BobRyan]

I am inclined to believe that INSIDE the Baptist church the biggest "common topic of debate" is Calvinism vs Arminianism.

ACROSS denominations - I am wondering of belief in evolutionism vs the acceptance of the Bible is not the biggest "difference".

Those that embrace the teachings of evolutionism are less likely to view the Bible as innerrant, infallible, reliable for doctrine etc.

Almost every evolutionist posting here has stated that NOT ONLY do they reject the clear statements of scripture in Gen 1-3 they also reject what the Bible says in Gen 6-8 and a host of other places.

Of course "going by the numbers" the largest Christian Group is the RCC so I suppose a huge rift exists in Christianity between acceptance or rejection of the Papacy and all the errors specific to the Papacy -

1. Prayhing to the dead
2. purgatory
3. Maryolotry etc.

In Christ's day the "numbers" were never on the side of "The right".

In Christ,

Bob

 

[gb93433]

The biggest debate is the color of the carpet.

 

[nate]

Or if women should wear pants are not. (Only in the Fundamental Baptist Church)

 

[Jim1999]

A lot of those problems may exist in American Baptist churches, but we don't experience that in Canada. We did have a huge problem between dispensationalists and Amillennialists, but that has found a middle ground.

The big divides are based around personalities more than doctrine.

In the Anglican church, the huge divide just now has to do with ordination of homosexuals and especially the election to Bishop, and homosexual marriages.

On the question of Theistic evolution, we do not deny any scriptures. We have a different interpretation of verses commonly used to support strict creationism. It has never been a great divide in Canada because we don't make it an issue....and that is an important statement....we don't make it an issue!

On that Brit flag under your name, Nate, you must know that ALL women wear pants, so far as I know..........*smile*

Cheers,

Jim

 

[nate]

(I definetly believe it is Biblical for women to wear pants the smilie represents my girlfriend's former pastor {she was IFB} who sat us down and tried to tell us that it was agianst God's Word to allow women to wear pants when I told him he was misusing Scripture he blew up and told us to leave. She is now Anglican.

) Sorry now we can get back to the original OP.

 

[StefanM]

I think one of the biggest issues overall is human sexuality.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by nate:
(I definetly believe it is Biblical for women to wear pants the smilie represents my girlfriend's former pastor {she was IFB} who sat us down and tried to tell us that it was against God's Word to allow women to wear pants when I told him he was misusing Scripture he blew up and told us to leave.

I guess he forgot Gal. 5:22,23.

 

[Jim1999]

For those unfamiliar, the joke with Nate was that in England the word pants refers to undergarments....we wear trousers!

Cheers,

Jim

 

[billwald]

Homosexuals and female preachers.

 

[Blackhawkk]

In the Anglican church, the huge divide just now has to do with ordination of homosexuals and especially the election to Bishop, and homosexual marriages.

Jim,

I'm seriously not trying to insult you or put you in an "envelope" but this is the problem I have with mainline denominations.

This should be a non-issue! A church dividing over whether gays should be ordained has definite problems! I mean, the Anglican Church might as well be debating if child molestation is sin or not!

You know a church has departed from the truth when they are deciding what is sin!

 

[Bro. Ruben]

Originally posted by Jim1999:

The big divides are based around personalities more than doctrine.

Cheers,

Jim

This is true!

 

[TaterTot]

what worship is

 

[BobRyan]

Originally posted by Blackhawkk:
In the Anglican church, the huge divide just now has to do with ordination of homosexuals and especially the election to Bishop, and homosexual marriages.

No church has entered into confusion regarding gay and lesbian issues - without first tossing Genesis out the window and embracing Atheist Darwinian evolutionism - folding it into its view of the bible and the Gospel.

In Christ,

Bob

 

[nate]

Originally posted by Blackhawkk:
In the Anglican church, the huge divide just now has to do with ordination of homosexuals and especially the election to Bishop, and homosexual marriages.

There are many Episcopal/Anglican churches and groups that do not feel this is right. Remember once upon a time the SBC was getting fairly liberal. Now I hope the fundamental radicals don't take over the Anglican church but on the other hand I think you will see the things you mentioned put to an end.

 

[gb93433]

Originally posted by Blackhawkk:
I'm seriously not trying to insult you or put you in an "envelope" but this is the problem I have with mainline denominations.

The organization of non-denominational churches has become a serious organization. Sometime try to get into it and pastor a church. It is almost impossible unless you have gone to the "right" schools.

 

[Hope of Glory]

Originally posted by TaterTot:
what worship is

Ours too! At least in the youth group. I thought it was pretty simple to point out Scripture passages, but it became a big debate! (Not an argument, though, thankfully.) That's why I posed the question as to how everyone defined worship.

On the issue of Theistic Evolution, most in our church realize that the Bible doesn't say how God created the world, simply that he did, and that he doesn't say much about the time before that. We consider that a moot point overall.

 

[Joseph M. Smith]

To continue the idea that the greatest divides come around personality, I would say tht among the Baptist churches I know and work with, the question of the role of the pastor is the greatest point of conflict. I see everything from the idea that the pastor is an employee who is to do our bidding to the notion that the pastor is a petty sovereign who gets whatever he wants. This is more than just personal preference; there is a serious polity and ecclesiology issue here.