The reason liberal churches do not see splits, unless something really radical takes place, is because they see so little to stand for in the first place. Or their particular church is like a god; their real source of security and ultimate object of affection.
Division because of Truth is better than unity without it or in error, though you have to determine what the line will be btwn tolerance and compromise.
What you describe is sad and damnable, but “the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? “ (1 Peter 4:17)
And part of the reason for splits is due to our superficiality and carnality. In these latter days of the latter days we needs to get ready to move out of our comfort zone Christianity and live by faith, even if it means meeting in the forest with no published schedule, and getting killed for witnessing about Christ and standing for righteousness, not advertising our church.
There's something to that Daniel as I've seen and been in those very churches. All the makeup is there but lacks the Spirit of Christ among. For more conservative individuals some of the Evangelical churches go to the other extremes...
"Division because of truth is better than unity without it or in error"....you said that right!
I was in an Evangelical Free church for sometime as the Pastors teachings were so rich...everybody drew closer to Christ and understood more about Him for that.....Wonderful to be among those of like hearts and minds seeking more of the Lord..... Several Pastors would sit in on his bible studies for he was always open to being challenged and wanted participation.....once you have rich teachings among those who have depth of impute of their own, all students of God's word, well you can hardly explain how electrical the atmosphere...questions, opinions, scriptures abound...and a real effort to seek the truth and understanding it. And it is rare I have seen this since.
Yes, judgment has begun at the house of God....while the worldly churches clamor for unity....the Lord appears to be separating the Sheep from the goats in a way.
I have understood the true church will eventually go underground...perhaps as the churches become more secularized we'll see more people meeting in homes. I went to one of these but was not impressed...in fact challenged the "leader" because he was more like a cult leader...I think he was looking of his own following. I've been living by faith for quite some time and not always in my comfort zone....you learn how it is rather than just peoples opinions when it comes to which churches are which....but yes, I suspect things are going to become uncertain for many who wouldn't imagine not having a church building to worship in.
You are,sadly,spot on.I've seen this first hand here in Oz.The church I attended had the issue of homosexuality come up in a big way,Many meetings were held,conferences galore etc etc.One night a moderator came to our church to discuss the issue with a few of us who had concerns.When the meeting started we opened our Bibles and the first thing spoken by said moderator was "if this is going to turn into a bible study there is no point me being here".
It was then we realized that in spite of all the talk we were not of one accord after all.We were not of one mind.
As I've said here before,in the beginning I read the bible as an atheist and came to believe through that reading (and a very very good friend who took great delight in nudging me at every opportunity)so to come to a church meeting and see an almost open disdain for trying to inject the Word of God into our deliberations was mortifying.
I find myself more in accord with some believers here than I did with the people I sat next to in the pews.
I'm very thankfull for much of what's posted here.Much meat in due season!I'm chewing for all I'm worth.
God bless