False Doctrine Worse Than Division

Quoting Iain Murray . . .

Divisions and separations are most objectionable in religion. They weaken the cause of true Christianity.- But before we blame people for them, we must be careful that we lay the blame where it is deserved. False doctrine and heresy are even worse than schism. If people separate themselves from teaching which is positively false and unscriptural, they ought to be praised rather than reproved. In such cases separation is a virtue and not a sin.

The old saying must never be forgotten, "He is the schismatic who causes the schism"... Controversy in religion is a hateful thing... But there is one thing which is even worse than controversy, and that is false doctrine, allowed, and permitted without protest or molestation. ... - Iain Murray

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TJ

I wouldn't debate that. ;-)
The simple truth is that much of the church doesn't hold 'Bereans' to be 'more noble' anymore. I don't know if they were even 'more noble' to most in their day. Maybe that's why it had to be penned in scripture, so that all those that wanted to lay blame would have reason to at least reconsider.
The Bereans were credited with being ready to learn as well as checking everything THE APOSTLE PAUL said, to see if it was true.

On Acts 17:11 Barnes wrote...

"[b]These were more noble. eugenesteroi. This literally means more noble by birth; descended from more illustrious ancestors. But here the word is used to denote a quality of mind and heart; they were more generous, liberal, and noble in their feelings; more disposed to inquire candidly into the truth of the doctrines advanced by Paul and Silas. It is always proof of a noble, liberal, and ingenuous disposition, to be willing to examine into the truth of any doctrine presented. [/b]

[b] The preaching of ministers should be examined by the Scriptures. Their doctrines are of no value unless they accord with the Bible. Every preacher should expect his doctrines to be examined in this way, and to be rejected if they are not in accordance with the word of God. The church, in proportion to its increase in purity and knowledge, will feel this more and more; and it is an indication of advance in piety when men are increasingly disposed to examine everything by the Bible. How immensely important then is it, that the young should be trained up to diligent habits of searching the word of God. And how momentous is the duty of parents, and of Sabbath-school teachers, to inculcate just views of the interpretation of the Bible, and to form the habits of the rising generation so that they shall be disposed and enabled to examine every doctrine by the sacred oracles. The purity of the church depends on the extension of the spirit of the noble-minded Bereans...[/b]"



I hate schisms, and false doctrine more. Let the church once again labour to come into that unity in wisdom that is first pure, then peaceable.

Who will hold the doctrines of God so low as to put them somewhere beneath happiness and a white-washed conformity?

I am greatly encouraged by those here that hold God's word in such high regard.

[b]Ps 138:2 I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth:[i] for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name[/b][/i]