I like reading Church History. It lets me know my church is just one in a long line of stupid churches.
Solomon tells us there is nothing new under the sun. Solomon is correct.
Churches have come and gone, and most have split first. Christians are disturbed by the Church Tradition of splitting churches. So much division, so much hostility, how can this be true of people who follow the Prince of Peace?
There are many reasons why this is the case. One is that the Prince of Peace said He came the first time, not to bring peace but a sword. As Paul said, “there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized.” Division kind of has to happen. There are wolves pretending to be sheep, test the spirits for there are “many false prophets.”
At the core of most of the division is a tension that runs all the way thru Church History. Rather than explain it, I’ll show examples of the tension:
Reason vs. Emotion
Cold Knowledge vs. Warm Love
The Bible vs. The Spirit
The Institution of the Church vs. The Body of Christ Church
Expository Preaching vs. Singing
All these things are the same battle.