"Can controversial teachings nurture Christlikeness? Before you answer this question, ask onother one: Are there any significant biblical teachings that have not been controversial? I cannot think of even one, let alone the number we all need for the daily nurture of faith. If this is true, then we have no choice but to seek our food in the markets of controversy. We need not stay here. We can go home and feast if the day has been well spent. But we must buy there. As much as we would like it, we do not have the luxury of living in a world where the most nourishing truths are unopposed. If we think we can suspend judgment on all that is controversial and feed our souls only on what is left, we are living in a dreamworld. There is nothing left. The reason any of us thinks we can stand alone on truths that are noncontroversial is because we do not know our history of the diversity of the professing church. Besides that, would we really want to give to the devil the right to determine our spiritual menu by refusing to eat any teaching over which he can cause controversy?" ~John Piper, The Pleasures of God, ch.5
There's a beauty in knowing the truths of scripture are too great for any one man to comprehend. One of the reasons we have different members of the body of Christ with different backgrounds and experiences is so that we come to scripture with our varying paradigms, seeing pieces of the truth of scripture in different light. Then we must take our understandings before our brothers and sisters in Christ so that they may be met with the controversy of challenges , testing and further illumination of scripture. From this we remove some of our muddled humanness from our doctrines and principles, and theories bringing us closer to the absolute truths of God. The members of the body of Christ, among other things, are made to help cultivate our Holiness for God. Controversy and challenges should serve as an exercise to help us grow strong in the Lord.
It is to our own fault we do not always appreciate the art of arguments and let our personal pride ruin what was intended for good. What is equally troubling is when we become too agreeable and avoid the art.
Prov. 27:6 "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy."
Prov. 25:12 "Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear."
Prov. 24:6b " for by wise guidance you can wage war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory." In the multitude of counsellors there is safety, for one may foresee the danger, and discern the advantages, which another cannot. In our spiritual conflicts we need wisdom, for our enemy is subtle. ~Matthew Henry commentary
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