The Big Fat Lie of “Church Unity”

Is Church Unity a Good or Bad Thing?

Lately, it seems that not a day passes when there is not another so-called “pastor” out there who is banging the Christian unity drum. From several Methodists, Lutherans, and Catholic leaders, the mantra is “We need to put aside our doctrinal differences to come together in unity of the faith”. They contend that any division over doctrine is in some way “unloving”.

The trouble is that this type of unity is being promoted at the expense of Biblical doctrine. Those who pursue this fake unity are not interested in sound doctrine because doctrine divides people. They want to ignore doctrinal differences and unite based on “our common faith in Christ”. But under no circumstances are we as Christians to unite in ministry or association with those who teach a false gospel or deliberately ignore doctrine. The result can only be a form of watered-down, easy-believism fake Christianity that saves no one.

This false unity of all so-called Christian denominations only dilutes the true Gospel. Rather than the goal of “unity of denominations”, it should be “unity in doctrine”.

But how do we achieve this type of unity? By ignoring doctrinal differences or by following the same doctrine? Paul told the Ephesians that the result of true “unity of the faith” was that they would not be “tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine”. We cannot claim to have “unity of the faith” while giving into shifting and deceitful doctrine based on the culture of the day. In Chapter 4 of Ephesians, Paul cautions believers to pursue unity in the faith this way...

“11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until 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. 14 Then 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 people in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. 16 From 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 NASB)

What is Christian Doctrine?

Christian doctrine refers to the central biblically-based beliefs that all Christians should seek to know and understand. Sadly, many professing Christians have little or no interest in doctrine. They enjoy hearing only about the love and grace of God. They want to learn how to deal with problems in life, how to be a better person, or how much God loves them. They are happy to ignore Biblical truth for the sake of unity and “love”.

In terms of doctrine, the Bible says it is “profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16).

Unified, non-doctrinal Christianity is impossible. Imagine a soccer game where each team played according to different rules. The result would be chaos. In a church setting, that same thing is also a disaster. Are people saved by infant baptism or not? Is homosexuality acceptable or not? Should women be in leadership? Can you earn your way into heaven through being a good person and doing good works?

Jesus taught that He came not to bring “peace on earth” but rather to bring “division,” even among family members.

“51 Do you think that I came to provide peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division; 52 for from now on five members in one household will be divided, three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.” (Luke 12:51-53 NASB)

Those who reject doctrine will eventually “turn away their ears from the truth” (2 Timothy 4:4 NASB). Paul tells us to “mark them which cause divisions and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned” (Romans 16:17, KJV). Timothy was instructed to “charge some that they teach no other doctrine” (1 Timothy 1:3, KJV). Would these instructions really be necessary if doctrine was not important?

We must avoid tolerating false doctrine under the guise of “unity”. All roads do not lead to heaven. Unity in doctrine is not only proper, but Jesus commands it. He wants all Christians to share the same unity He shares with God. How can we do this? By knowing what true Biblical doctrine is. A great place to start is to study the book of Romans found in the New Testament. If you are not currently a member of a church that teaches solid doctrine, check out these YouTube channels, especially Gary Hamrick and John MacArthur and their sermons on Romans.

The current church unity movement is nothing less than idolatry and an attack on true Biblically-based Christianity. It is a stepping stone toward the “one world religion” John warned about in Revelation 17.

Run from it...