The divide in American politics, it seems, is as deep as it has ever been in modern history. Perhaps the decade of the 1850s leading up to the American Civil War was worse. When a congressman, in 1856, was celebrated by his constituents for nearly beating a fellow congressman to death with his cane on the floor of the United States Senate Chamber. As of the writing of this blog, we are in the midst of Senate confirmation hearings for the cabinet picks of the Trump Administration. While we aren’t witnessing displays of physical violence within the halls of Congress, the deep divisions and partisan spirit is unmistakable.

The New Testament scriptures have a Greek word that is used to describe the sharp divisions of people along points of view. It is called “heresy”. That’s perhaps a nasty word within the religious sphere. But, quite simply, that is what the word means. When people within God’s Church choose to divide over issues such that there can be no common fellowship and unity of the Spirit, the apostles called this a heresy. The word can also be translated into sect or faction. Speaking to the congregation in Corinth, the Apostle Paul states, “Now I plead with you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” (1 Corinthians 1:10) That’s the perfect scenario for God’s Church.

Of course we know humans rarely, if ever, hold to the perfect scenario. And consequently, factions do exist. The Apostle Paul, perhaps being the optimist, makes mention of a benefit we can draw out of this unfortunate reality. Notice later in this same letter to Corinth: “For first of all, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you, and in part I believe it. For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.” (1 Corinthians 11:18-19) When divisions and controversies arise, those who are steadfast in the truth become recognizable. They stand firm for what is right. The ideal is that everyone is approved among us. But when heresies or factions become evident, God’s people use discernment in the Holy Spirit to recognize what (and who) is right and approved among us. 

We’re nearly 2,000 years removed from the formation of the Church of God that Jesus Christ established. Have divisions and heresies splintered his Church into so many thousands of factions that it’s impossible to find the true Church of God in the modern age? Jesus promised us, “…I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18) If we take Jesus Christ at his word, we could try to find His Church in the modern age; a Church that stands out as “approved” in the Word of God amidst thousands of factions. To help you in this search, request the free study guide entitled “The Church Jesus Built” available on the United Church of God website.

By Lynn Leiby

Feb 1^st, 2025