Four reasons for division in the church

Posted on September 1, 2014 Written by Mark McIntyre 6 Comments

In a previous post, I outlined the problem of division in the church. Today I seek to discuss the reasons why it takes place. I can think of four reasons why church leaders cause division over non-essentials: pride, misunderstanding, insecurity and idolatry.

Division vs. Diversity in the Church

Posted on August 30, 2014 Written by Mark McIntyre Leave a Comment

I’ve been thinking about my post of 5 days ago regarding division in the church and feel the need to clarify something. Unity in the church does not equate to uniformity. We should not all look the same inside the church because the people in the culture around us are not all the same. Within the bounds of correct belief and practice is the opportunity for diversity.

Ask, Seek and Knock

Luke 11:9–10 (ESV) 9 And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. In response to these […]

A difficult transition

I have nearly completed my sixth decade of life, nearly all of it as a believer, yet I find myself trying to earn the approval of both God and the people around me. I need to transition from trying to earn God’s approval to responding to the love and acceptance that I already have. Rather than an initiator, I need to be a responder.

Dealing with apparent failure in apologetics

If some could witness the miracles of Jesus and remain unconvinced and unconverted, we would be foolish to think that everyone will respond to our presentation and defense of the Gospel. The will overrides the intellect when dealing with matters of faith and world view. If the lack of response is an indication of failure, it is a failure that Jesus also experienced.

Context, back-story and knowing God

A hip hop lyric illustrates the need for context in relationships. This is as true of our relationship with God as it is in human relationships.

On going back to Egypt

The point is that it is easy to look back on different situations and remember them as better than they really were. It is also easy to lose sight of the fact that God remains in control and promises to use every circumstance in which we find ourselves for his glory and our benefit (Rom. 8:28). It is easy to let our circumstances drive us to complaining rather than worship.

There is a gene for that

I recently heard an author say that there is a gene that causes people to be bad or good. What is the basis and what are the implications of such a belief?