Today’s post on “Spreading God’s Word” is courtesy of Ken Matto and addresses something we’ve all heard at different times. If two Christians are discussing a point of Scripture and one of them doesn’t have the answer to a question, then they’ll typically say something like, “Let’s agree to disagree.”
I’ve heard this often (and recently) and I’m sure you have too. Whenever biblical truths are being discussed and the parties can’t come to the same conclusion other than to say “Let’s agree to disagree”, then biblical truth suffers. When it comes to spiritual matters, having a philosophy of Agreeing to Disagree (ATD) is quite dangerous.
There’s an old adage that goes something like this: put three Christians in a room and you’ll get four differing opinions.” There will be disagreements on topics such as:
Free Will vs. Election
Fellowships vs. Churches
Tongues vs. No Tongues
Annihilation vs. Eternal Damnation
Women Preachers vs. No Women Preachers
Date Setting vs. No Date Setting
Age of Accountability vs. No Age of Accountability
Many other doctrines divide Christianity and increasingly whenever they’re discussed, the latest fad is to ATD. A fair question to ask is WHY? Why does this happen?
Frequently discussions are ended due to the unbiblical “love gospels” that have become entrenched in many churches. If someone who is teaching a false doctrine is challenged, then the person bringing the challenge is usually criticized for not having a spirit of love.
But is it really loving to allow someone to relax in a false teaching or gospel? 1 Corinthians 13:6 states: Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth. Love rejoices in truth not in falsehood. Therefore, it is entirely “loving” to try to bring someone out of a false teaching by showing them biblical truth.
Many Christians don’t like the Bible because they don’t like what God has to say in it. So instead they go to bookstores and buy some book from a theologian they admire and then interpret the Bible according to them.
Here’s another biblical definition of love from 2 John 1:6: And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Not only does love rejoice in the truth, but love also means living our Christian lives in accordance with the commands of God. This can’t happen if someone is walking in a false teaching that is diametrically opposed to a teaching in God’s Word.
Let’s now examine some of the dangers of the ATD philosophy:
1. Truth Remains Buried
Prov 25:2 – It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.
When someone blurts out “Let’s just ATD” it really means they’re no longer interested in seeing if they’re incorrect on a given subject. They’ll continue to believe what they want to believe. They’ll reject any truth they’ve been given in order to remain steadfast in their present belief. Spiritual growth is hindered by this type of settlement philosophy.
2. No Challenge to Search The Scriptures
Acts 17:11 — These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
When someone becomes settled in their beliefs, they’ll no longer search the Scriptures. The word “search” in the above verse carries with it the meaning ”to investigate, inquire or examine.”
Let’s assume someone believes in a literal 1,000 year reign of Christ. Then he comes into contact with a study that gives substantial biblical evidence pointing to the fact that the 1,000 year reign of Christ is figurative and represents the entire New Testament period from the Cross to the Last Day. Since he already has his belief system rooted and refuses to search the Scriptures diligently, he continues to believe an erroneous doctrine which then spawns other erroneous beliefs.
3. The Person Remains in a False Gospel
2 Cor 3:14 — But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which [vail] is done away in Christ.
The person who refuses to research their false belief will remain in the false teaching — and go deeper and deeper into it. Those believing in tongues will also be led to believe in further signs and wonders. If only they would have studied the Bible more and researched these beliefs! When they’re confronted with Scripture passages contradicting these beliefs, then they don’t want to hear it and they give their ”We’ll just have to ATD” response. Sadly, their minds continue to be blinded with false teaching.
Summary
When someone comes at us with an ATD, they’re basically saying, “I’ll believe what I want to believe, and you believe what you want to believe.” When someone uses an ATD, they’re being spiritually smug in thinking they’ve stopped an argument or debate. However, what’s really happened is that they’re truncating their spiritual growth and development by choosing to remain where it’s the most comfortable and palatable.
PS: For the record, we understand the totality of Scripture to support the following doctrines: Election; Churches; No Tongues; Eternal Damnation; No Women Pastors; No Date Setting; No Age of Accountability.
Posted by Jeff & Cindy 
