The "agree to disagree" philosophy has become very common in religious discussions. Some say it does not matter what we believe concerning Bible teaching as long as we all love Jesus.
Yes, we must love Jesus (and each other), but that is not all that is taught in the scriptures.
Jesus said, "If ye love Me, keep My commandments" (John 14:15).
The apostle John wrote, "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).
From these verses we learn that the commandments (requirements) are crucial. If we love Jesus we will seek to know, obey, teach and defend His word.
The "agree to disagree" philosophy is so dangerous because it has no end.
When followed to its logical conclusion it completely removes the importance of biblical truth.
This indifferent approach to the Bible is claimed by some to be the solution to the religious division in our world.
But what it actually creates is a religion with no system of belief and no doctrinal foundation.
The Bible teaches that we should all "speak the same thing" (1 Corinthians 1:10), so agreeing to disagree on doctrine is not a legitimate option.
What we believe and teach is not insignificant or unimportant, it is essential!
In matters of the Bible's teaching we must not have an "agree to disagree" approach because there is too much at stake.
Casually dismissing the importance of truth will cause souls to be lost.
Truth is still the truth regardless of the unconcerned attitude of some. Teaching either agrees with the New Testament or it does not .
2 Timothy 2:15 King James Version (KJV)
15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
Teaching (doctrine) is either scriptural or it is not (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
2 Timothy 3:16-17 King James Version (KJV)
16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Based on the truth, one is either in fellowship with God or not (John 17:17, 20-22).
John 17:17 King James Version (KJV)
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
One is either abiding in the doctrine of Christ or not .
2 John 9-11 King James Version (KJV)
9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
There is no middle ground of compromise. We must seek the truth both for ourselves and others. The salvation of souls is paramount.
The phrase "agree to disagree" does not appear anywhere in the Bible. God's word teaches that we are to agree.
Amos 3:3 asks, "Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?"
Paul wrote in Romans 16:17, "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them."
To the Corinthians he wrote, "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).
Almost a year later he wrote to remind them, "be of one mind" (2 Corinthians 13:11).
- Paul did not "agree to disagree" with those who taught a different gospel message.
When he wrote to the congregations in the region of Galatia he said, "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1:6-9).
- Paul did not "agree to disagree" with two heretics named Hymenaeus and Philetus.
- John did not "agree to disagree" with false prophets. He wrote,
He did not say it doesn't matter what they teach concerning doctrine as long as we all love Jesus.
- Peter did not "agree to disagree" with false teachers.
- Jude did not "agree to disagree" with ungodly men. Jude wrote,
Jude did not teach, that there should be unity at any cost, as some foolishly proclaim today. He never compromised the truth to achieve some imaginary form of harmony.
The key to religious unity and agreement is for all to stay true to the scriptures.
There can be no true unity without doctrinal agreement.
Time and time again the Bible tells us not to "add to" or "take away" from God's word
Deuteronomy 4:2 King James Version (KJV)
2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the Lord your God which I command you.
Deuteronomy 12:32 King James Version (KJV)
32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Proverbs 30:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Proverbs 30:6 King James Version (KJV)
6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Revelation 22:18-19 King James Version (KJV)
18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
19 And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
The various opinions of men will not provide unity.
The Bible must be the sole basis for achieving true agreement.
We must allow the scriptures to have the final say and we must be ready to abandon anything we believe which does not agree with God's word.
We cannot simply "agree to disagree" when it comes to matters of faith. We must "agree to agree" with the Bible.