Tragically most Christians confidently proclaim this as a description of a unregenerate man, but when the tiny little word "debate" is brought forth as a characteristic of unregeneracy, heels become bruised as many formerly confident Christians lean back on them seeking for some way to justify their insatiable appetite to be right.
The reason, I believe, that debate is herein mentioned is solely this: debate is an utterly selfish practice that seeks to prove itself right, and often holds no regard for the other, with the occasional exception of a mention of "boy I am glad we can debate this and still have unity at the end, even though we disagree". This, to me, is a ludicrous justification for an otherwise sinful practice. Coming from one who used to constantly debate theology, and every time was grieved, in tha back of every mind after a debate concludes is one of two things:
The question I'd like to extend is where do we draw the line between debate as you define and the church's instruction in Titus 1:9 to "give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it"?
The only basis for unity is when there is agreement within biblical doctrine. The bible commands us to identify those who teach doctrine that is different from what the bible teaches (such as homosexuality being acceptable, deferring to secular viewpoints to interpret Scripture) and to avoid those people.
So the dividers are those who depart from the doctrines revealed in Scripture. The only basis for unity is agreement on the authority of the Bible teaching. Those who defer to another authority cause division.
As I read my Bible more and more, it is becoming clearer that the scriptural basis for unity and fellowship within the body of Christ cannot be anything other than the truth of God as contained within his word. Wherever there is a call to unity or love, there is also a call to remain obedient and true to the instructions of scripture:
1As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called—
5one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Ephesians 4:1-6
27Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel
28without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
Philippians 1:27-28
11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,
12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:11-16
12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.
16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.
17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17
At the same time, however, division is caused primarily by those that refuse to believe and submit to the instructions of God’s word:
17I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.
18For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. Romans 16:17-18
18They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." 19These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. Jude 18-19
2I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.
4They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation."
5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.
6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.
7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.
2 Peter 3:2-7
The yardstick for whether God’s children truly come together is based upon whether or not they can learn, understand, apply and teach the word of God. On the other hand, the one’s who disrupt fellowship are those that instead of learning, obeying and applying the Word cause division because they have no solid footing to build unity with. They may build friendships, acquaintances, they may even be our spouses, but the fact is that because they are going against the tide of truth, unless they submit to the authority of divine instruction as that which they will base their lives upon, they will always be set apart and will never be part of the fold.
It is not surprising to find that when we come across people who are consistently stubborn, argumentative and divisive, you will often find that when you pull back the layers, there are consistent gaps including lack of prayer, lack of worship and lack of Bible Study (including questionable hermeneutical practices).
Ergo, when someone comes forward to humbly point out a legitimate concern and has sufficient scriptural backing to support their case as well as suggestions for improvement that are valid on the grounds of scripture, practicality and sound reason, should any argument or division ensure, biblical precedent would not hold him accountable for it and it would be going against God’s will to condemn him for such.
It would be like a drug trafficker at LAX Airport getting taken aside by a Custom’s officer with a Sniffer Dog and finds that the trafficker has been carrying 4kg of cocaine from Columbia, yet when the police arrive on the scene, the trafficker is allowed to go on his way while the Customs Officer is imprisoned and the Sniffer Dog gets put down by lethal injection.
Of course, this is completely unreasonable.
Hence, if we seek to establish strong relationships within our immediate fellowships and we choose to found them on something other than the truth of God, what will it be based on? Friendship may work, but the fact of the matter is with any situation, when God is taken out of the picture, all that you’re left with is the world and it’s ways. While it’s more than possible to form healthy relationships in a non-spiritual setting, the glue is always something homogenous. But what about a church, where apart from the common truths relating to God, there is no immediate reason for connection? What will bring the people together? Who will lead? The first lines in the sand that are likely to be drawn are those that separate the haves from the have nots. Then, contest for who is the smartest, the prettiest, the richest etc. Such are the world’s ways of interaction: If there is no God-centred reason for people to come together, individual merit becomes the standard in which the alpha personality assumes dominance.
