Doctrine is Divisive

An Associated Press story on the visit to Australia by Pope Benedict XVI attributed the following statement to him:

“I think you would agree that the ecumenical movement has reached a critical juncture,” the pope said. “We must guard against any temptation to view doctrine as divisive and hence an impediment to the seemingly more pressing and immediate task of improving the world in which we live.” 

The Truth (for which “doctrine” should be a synonym) is that doctrine does divide. I cannot find (and my preachers agrees with me) any place in the Bible where the goal of the Church is to “improve the world.” Rather, we are to be about the task of confronting men and women with the Truth of God’s Word. Co-mingling “doctrines” espoused by multitudes of religions and denominations to achieve some “improvement” is nothing less than hindering and damaging the possibility that men and women will hear the Truth, see the light, and by the grace of God come to faith in Jesus Christ.

I agree that we should do everything possible to “live at peace with all men.” I am not interested in homogenizing “doctrine” for the sake of sparing mankind the depravity of our nature and the offense of the Cross.