One of the myths out there is that debating eschatology “divides the church.” This is not true. It is a cliché that we hear all the time from pseudo-pious individuals.
In reality, it is just the opposite that divides the church.
Pastors promote disunity on this issue by enforcing conformity in their church (“Our way or the highway; don’t you dare share your view with others in the church, for if you do, you are a divider”).
Or you have pastors who promote disunity by enforcing silence in their church (“We will not discuss this issue; there is no position that is correct, and if you think so, you are a divider”).
You get the picture.
Both of these positions is prideful, ignorant, and dishonors God. In short, they are the ones who are actually promoting disunity in their churches.
There is a third option that is the biblical and pastoral approach, one that promotes unity and proclaims the whole council of God’s Word. And that is promoting meaningful interaction—not conformity or silence. The doctrine of the second coming of Christ should not divide the body of Christ but unify it.
Even if everyone does not agree, at the end of the day there can still be a spirit of unity when God’s people seek the truth.
Let’s pray that pastors in America will be more concerned with grappling with God’s truth than being worried about what others think.
