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What are Christians’ thoughts on homosexual marriage? Are spiritual talents biblically sanctioned? Can Christians have alcohol? These are some of the issues that frequently spark passionate debate inside the church today. Christians hold widely varied views on these matters, and both sides cite Scripture to support their positions. Even within a community of Christians in today’s world, discernment is unquestionably required.
Whatever your thoughts are on each of those issues, studying this list of areas wherein the church regularly reviews division will hopefully inspire us as Christ-followers to strive for unity within our personal church buildings or even across denominations, because while there is a lot of division and controversy throughout the broader church, there are also core doctrines that unite us.
1. Gay Marriage
Gay marriage and whether it should be permitted in the church are unquestionably at the top of the list of today’s contentious issues. It does not take long to locate proof of this dispute in today’s news. Many denominations have been divided on this subject. The Presbyterian Church (USA) supports it, although the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and others do not.
But probably nowhere is the debate over this topic more heated than in the Anglican Church. The Anglican Church has changed its attitude on homosexual marriage and gay priests in recent years (and even months), but there is still widespread opposition. Some have urged the church to be more accepting of LGBT people; some have gone so far as to support homosexual clergy and allow them the ability to perform same-sex marriages; while still others are staunchly opposed to the conventional definition of marriage.
2. Abortion
At first glance, one could believe that this topic is not as contentious within the church as it is between those within and those outside the church. According to a recent Pew Research Center research, persons who profess to be religious but do not belong to a specific religion are generally in favor of abortion, with just 17% against it.
Still, the majority of Christians are pro-life, but the issue is divisive inside the church, particularly when it comes to the notion that pro-life should mean more than just “pro-birth.”
3. Women In Leadership
Women teaching/preaching in the church may easily become a contentious subject. Again, more conservative churches are opposed to women in leadership capacities, whilst more liberal denominations are open to it. With the advent of Christian women bloggers, there has recently been a special dilemma on this subject.
These ladies have a sizable internet presence and following, which has prompted some Christians to doubt their authority, despite the fact that they are not preaching/teaching in a typical church context.
4. Type Of Worship Music
Modern or traditional? Hymns or contemporary praise songs? This is undoubtedly a contentious subject inside many churches. It’s frequently a decisive element in a person’s decision to join a church. This problem also creates a schism between Christians of older and younger generations.
Certain instruments can also be contentious. Some churches may not accept a drum set, yet another church may have a whole praise band with a full spectrum of instruments.
Some churches have sought to settle the debate by including both classic and contemporary songs into their worship sessions, or by offering two distinct services—one more traditional and one more modern.
5. Spiritual Gifts
Although spiritual gifts are cited in numerous instances within the New Testament, exclusive church denominations have exclusive interpretations of what is without a doubt method to have and use a spiritual gift present.
The spiritual gifts present of speaking in tongues tend to be the maximum debatable of any spiritual gifts present. While Pentecostals verify these spiritual gifts presently, different denominations have long passed up to now as so say that speaking in tongues is offending the Holy Spirit.
Other Christians include spiritual gifts items or even inspire congregants or church staffers to take spiritual gifts present checks to look wherein they may be finely prepared to serve.
6. Baptism
Although almost all churches observe baptism, baptism rites differ not only in practice but also in theory. For generations, the church has been divided over whether the Bible encourages baby baptism or just believer baptism.
More liturgical churches even create the idea that baptism is required for salvation, but others don’t appear to place much emphasis on it. Some churches baptize newborns as well, although not as evidence of salvation, but as a promise by the child’s family and church body to raise the kid in the fear of the Lord. In this sense, infant baptism is similar to the dedication of the child.
Other churches, on the other hand, only baptize individuals who are old enough to freely confess their religion. Christians also disagree on how and where baptisms should take place: by sprinkling, pouring water on someone, or complete immersion.
7. Politics From The Pulpit
Should ministers discuss politics or advocate a certain political party or point of view from the pulpit?
Churchgoers have extremely varied perspectives on the matter, but the debate isn’t limited to the church. President Trump issued an executive order repealing the Johnson Amendment, which banned a church, as a non-profit corporation, from endorsing or promoting a certain political party or candidate. Many applauded the executive order, claiming that it granted churches greater religious freedom, but others said that backing with a political party is not something a church should do
8. Alcohol
Can Christians have alcohol? This subject spark a flurry of debate inside the church. Many Christians believe that because the Bible forbids drunkenness and urges Christ-followers to be sober-minded, Christians should avoid alcohol, taverns, and anything associated with drinking.
Other churchgoers, on the other hand, believe that moderate alcohol consumption is not a sin. These Christians typically use 1 Corinthians 8 to support their claims. Many interpret the context to suggest that drinking alcohol is OK, but Christians should be careful not to lead someone who is prone to alcohol misuse or feels it is a sin to fall in their faith by witnessing another Christian drinking.
The opinions of a church on alcohol can also be apparent in the worship service; for example, some churches use grape juice for Communion, while others use wine.