Why does Christian doctrine cause so much division?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Doctrine has often been divisive throughout the history of the Church. Many of today's denominations are the result of one or more doctrinal differences causing a group to split. Now there are thousands of denominations worldwide. Some of these divisions were legitimate and biblical while others were not. Christian doctrine often causes division because people misinterpret, overemphasize, or respond to God’s truth through human biases rather than proper understanding. Essential truths such as the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), Christ’s deity and humanity (John 1:1,14; Colossians 2:9), salvation by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9), and Christ’s return (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17) must be upheld, while other debates and differences should not disrupt unity. Believers are called to pursue peace and unity in love by focusing on core doctrines, listening with humility, and prioritizing relationships over winning arguments (Ephesians 4:3-6; Colossians 3:12-14; John 13:35). By doing so, we reflect Christ’s love, maintain the church’s unity, and prevent unnecessary divisions from distracting us from God’s mission.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament illustrates that even when God’s truth is given, human differences in understanding, priorities, and application can produce division—showing that division is often a human response to God’s Word rather than a flaw in the doctrine itself. In Exodus 32, the Israelites quickly divided over worship practices, choosing to follow the golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai. Differences in understanding or applying God’s instructions led to conflict.
• In 1 Kings 12, after Solomon’s death, the nation split into Israel and Judah because of disagreements over leadership and how God’s promises were interpreted. Division came not from God’s law itself but from human responses to it.
• Prophets like Isaiah (Isaiah 29:13) and Micah (Micah 6:6-8) warned that people often followed God’s commands superficially or added their own interpretations, creating confusion and disunity.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The truth of God is not intended to divide believers. God's desire is for unity. Jesus prayed, "That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me" (John 17:21).
• There are often legitimate reasons for divisions. Second Timothy 4:3-4 warns that a time will come when those in churches will not tolerate sound teaching but will instead select leaders who teach what they want to hear. This is already taking place in many churches, and when it does, only two options remain—return to biblical doctrine or separate from the false doctrine. Those who remain true to God's Word, to whom truth matters, leave and join another congregation or start a new one.
• Some divisions arise for non-doctrinal reasons. Differences in music styles, clothing, and building projects often cause conflict within churches. While these matters may reflect a particular understanding of Scripture, they are not essential to the core teachings of the faith (Romans 14:1-4; 1 Corinthians 10:31-33).
• There is also a broad range of beliefs regarding what constitutes essential doctrine. Throughout church history, certain truths have been recognized as vital for all Christians, including the Trinity (Matthew 28:19), the full deity and humanity of Christ (John 1:1,14; Colossians 2:9), salvation by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), the sinfulness of humanity (Romans 3:23), the inerrancy of Scripture (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and the return of Christ (Acts 1:11; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). Other issues, such as the timing of end-times events or the use of spiritual gifts, have caused divisions among believers who regard them as essential (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; Revelation 22:12).
• Truth must separate from error, but as a wise theologian once said, "In the essentials, unity; in the non-essentials, diversity; in all things, charity." If this attitude guides believers, they can be known for their unity (John 17:21) as well as their love for one another (John 13:35).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Christian doctrine causes so much division because people often focus on secondary issues or interpret Scripture differently, allowing personal preferences, traditions, or cultural biases to influence their understanding. Even essential truths like the nature of Christ or salvation can be distorted when pride, fear, or misunderstanding enters the discussion, leading to disputes that fracture relationships and congregations.

However, we as believers are called to pursue peace and unity in love. We can do this by focusing on the core truths of the faith, such as Christ’s death and resurrection, salvation by grace through faith, and the authority of Scripture (Ephesians 4:3-6; Romans 14:19). We can listen to differing viewpoints with humility, avoid elevating nonessential issues above the essentials, and seek understanding before judgment. This means engaging in conversations with patience, showing respect even in disagreement, and prioritizing relationships over winning debates, allowing love and the Spirit’s guidance to shape our responses (Colossians 3:12-14). By doing so, we reflect Christ’s unity and help prevent unnecessary division in the body of believers.

UNDERSTAND

• Christian doctrine causes division when people misinterpret or overemphasize certain teachings.
• Divisions often arise over nonessential issues; core doctrines must be upheld to maintain truth.
• Believers are called to respond to differences with humility, love, and patience, prioritizing unity and relationships over winning debates.

REFLECT

• How do you respond when you encounter someone who interprets a secondary doctrine differently than you?
• How can you uphold Christian doctrine while not allowing unimportant differences to negatively impact relationships with believers?
• How can you prioritize love and unity over winning a doctrinal argument in your daily life?

ENGAGE

• How can we distinguish between essential doctrines that unite us and nonessential differences that allow for diversity?
• What practical steps can we take to ensure disagreements about doctrine strengthen and enrich rather than fracture our relationships?
• How can humility and patience guide our discussions on contentious issues without compromising the truth of God’s Word?