[This is a reply to an article linked by Jan, which can be found here]
Doctrinal controversies have plagued the Church since her inception. From the beginning, the Apostles have to fend off the proto-Gnostic heresy. Further generations of church leaders have fended off the various Christological heresies such as Sabellianism, Apollinarianism, Arianism etc. As if that was insufficient, the soteriological controversies erupted with Pelagius's attack on the doctrine of Original Sin, and this conflict was continued on into the Reformation era by the Reformers over against corrupt papal Rome. Arminius and his followers then carried on the controversy with their doctrine of partial depravity and the repudiation of Predestination and Election. In this present age, with no unified front and the dumbing down of doctrine in Evangelical churches, error and heresies have mutiplied greatly within professing Christianity. It is sadly the case that there are more false believers than true believers nowadays.
Into this mix, the spectre of Pluralism rears its ugly head. In the above linked article, an essay written by Ron and Karen Schwartz, the authors attempt to address what they call "diversity of beliefs in Christianity". However, the solution which they advocate is much worse than the perceived problem, which I will show to be the case.
Now, it must be stated that what the authors seem to advocate is not religious pluralism per se. Yes, what they advocate logically leads to religious pluralism, but the essay in and of itself does not do so. What the authors are advocating is epistemological pluralism; that everybody has the truth. Obviously, they seem very certain others (their opponents) do not have it, which immediately exposes their hypocrisy. But anyway, let us look at their so-called biblical arguments.
The first argument that they advance comes from the passage in 1 Cor. 13:9, which states that "For we know in part and we prophesy in part". However, to read this verse which talks about our limitation in knowing God as saying that we cannot know for certain any truth whatsoever about God is to rip the passage out of its context. The conclusion the authors get out of this is totally illogical, by saying that we can be "both right and wrong". Not only is this a total cotradictory statement, this statement itself cannot be both right and wrong. The authors clearly think that their statement is right, and thus their nonsensical irrationality is revealed.
The authors followed up by quoting Eph. 4:11-14 to say that our drive should be towards unity and not division. They further state that "the purpose ministry is to bring about unity – unity in the body of Christ as a whole, not to just those that follow us". However, this is pure eisegesis! The unity of faith comes about when we grow into Christ, who is the Word and Truth incarnate (Jn. 1:1)! Unity does not come about through our creating it. Rather, we become united when we grow into Christ and embraced the same Truth in Him. This false unity and ecumenism is what God absolutely hates (2 Cor. 6:14-18). The authors therefore err when they make unity the key goal of Christianity. The goal of Christianity is to prepare the Bride of Christ, the Church, as a spotless bride without blemish for her Bridegroom, not to play the harlot with other lovers. As an aside, the authors convenietly ignore Lk. 12:51-53, whereby Jesus came to bring division. This division is caused because some people follow Christ while those who don't remain in their sin, and therefore Christ came to bring division between the believers and the unbelievers. We can go on in mentioning Peter (in 2 Peter) and Jude, who warned and seperated themselves from heretics, even condemning them in harsh terms.
The next passage which is Mk. 9: 38-41. The authors make the erroneous and eisegetical claim that this passage shows that we should not seperate from anyone, even though obviously they may be heretics. However, this passage in context shows that the person was doing the work of God in Jesus' name. It is thus analogous to the passage in Phil. 1:15,17 whereby Paul rejoices even though the person who preached the Gospel do so out of ill intent. Therefore, what this passage is telling us is that we should not stop people from doing God's work, not that we should welcome them into the Church even if they are not believers. The Schwartzs then further quote 1 Cor. 3:3, out of its context also, to justify their error, as this passage refers only to division based on personality cults, NOT to doctrine. In fact, the apostle Paul who wrote this same epistle later tell the Corinthians to seperate from a sinning brother who has committed an abominable act in marrying his father's wife (1 Cor. 5:1-2)! So much for ecumenism!
Before we go any further, let us see the total illogical nonsense sprouted by the Schwartzs. They divide Truth (what is true) from truth (what we can know to be true), claiming that we can know the former by jettisoning the latter. Yet, at the same time, they are very adament that their position (truth) is true (Truth) and their opponents' positions (truth) are not true (Truth)! The utter arrogance of these wolves is indeed breathtaking! Their nonsense continues when they claim that "when we lift up Christ, our doctrine falls into the background", which begs the question of which 'Christ' they are lifting up. They further arrogantly pontificate on the reason why church leaders are 'dividing along party lines', which is that they use this as a reason to 'discover who has the most toys'. Well, I for one have little if any followers, and I therefore reject the arrogant judgmentalism of the Schwartzs in labeling those who contend for the faith 'those who want to have the most toys'. Nevermind the detestable alluding of biblically faithful shepherds to Satan.
We would finish off by looking at three issues that are raised in this text which are more pertinent for true believers. These three issues are namely: the issue of Absolute truth, the passage in 1 Cor. 8:1 where it is stated that 'Knowledge puffs up', and the reality of total unity in heaven itself.
The Bible has made it clear that whatever it says is true (Ps. 119:151) and that truth is used for our santification (Jn. 17:17). Furthermore, because the Scriptures are breathed out by God (2 Tim. 3:16-17), they have higher certainty of being correct than any true experience (2 Peter 1:19). As such, truth can definitely be known. This truth is Absolute and Objective truth because they come from the ultimate reality and authority, God Himself. Therefore, to deny that we can know Absolute truth is a denial of God's Word and thus a denial of God Himself.
For the second issue, if this is the only passage in the Bible which have that phrase, then the Schwartzs are indeed pitiful. This passage is placed within the context of food offered to idols, and thus talks about Christian liberty or in this case, not to abuse Christian liberty to stumble another brother or sister. Therefore, this phrase tells us not to abuse our Christian liberty, on an issue upon which we have more knowledge of, to stumble another but instead to love them. It is in this context whereby knowledge is said to puff up, because such a person does not love his weaker brother so as not to restrain his liberty based on his knowledge. This passage therefore is NOT, as the Schwartzs maintain, denigrating doctrine. To use this passage to dengrate doctrine therefore shows that such a person is not interested in knowing God but in creating a god of his own making.
Last, but not least, let us look at the issue of unity in heaven. It is indeed true that there would be no division in heaven, but to say that there would be no division on earth or there shouldn't be one is just plain ridiculous. Definitely, unity in heaven would be possible because by then we would know in full (1 Cor. 13:9) and therefore we would all know the truth. However, on this side of heaven, divisions within true Christianity are neccessary since not everybody agrees on the finer points of the truth. And it is possible to have divisions without animousity, contrary to popular opinion, if we accept and love each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. However, to totally disregard disagreements because of 'love and unity' is to show contempt for God's truth, since you are telling God that His truth is not important. Now, of course effort may be made through examination of Scripture so that one side may convince the other, but capitulation for the 'sake of unity' is never an option, as this shows the person's lack of love for God and His truth.
In conclusion, what are we draw out of this? Christians ought to reject such fallacious and errant teachings of Epistemological Pluralism. Not all 'truths' are true. We should never give in to the siren call of ecumenism. Instead, we should remain faithful to God and His Word and grow deeper in Christ and His truth, and also in love for the saints which manifests itself in a desire to bring the saints who err to God's truth. Let us resist the name-calling of these antichristian deceivers, and work on unity God's way through His truth. As for the Schwartzs and those who follow them, beware! God will judge you for teaching damnable heresy (2 Peter 2:1-3). Repent now before it is too late.
PS: Jan, if you read this, please next time try not to reference liberal apostate interfaith websites. You clearly need to read up more on the Christian faith, especially if you cannot discern the heretical slant of the authors.
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