Should We Agree to Disagree?

by David Rollert

You may have been there before. You disagree with a friend over something. Neither of you is willing to change your view, neither is having success convincing the other. So, rather than push the disagreement to the point of straining your friendship, one of you says “Well, let’s just agree to disagree.” This means that you will accept that you disagree on this topic and not try to convince the other anymore, which sounds very inclusive and accepting! But when it comes to theology, is “agree to disagree” a biblical approach to disagreements? Yes – and no. In some areas, God gives us the freedom to have differing opinions and maintain fellowship. But in other areas, God

tells us we must agree with Him.

Areas where we have freedom of choice: In some things, God has given us wide freedoms. We call these areas of opinion or matters of conscience. In areas where God has not legislated, we have freedom to choose. But even then, there are considerations we must make. Consider 1 Corinthians 8. In this chapter Paul addresses the eating of meat that has been sacrificed to idols. He states that idols are nothing, so you have the freedom to eat the meat that has been sacrificed to them. However, he also points out that some people’s consciences would be hurt by eating that meat. Those people have the freedom to not eat meat sacrificed to idols. But, here is where the restriction comes in. Paul tells us that if us exercising our freedom to eat the meat causes someone else to do something that hurts their conscience, then we have sinned. Paul states, “Therefore, if food causes my brother to stumble, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause my brother to stumble” (1 Cor. 8:13, NASB).

So, in areas of opinion or conscience we can “agree to disagree” so long as we are not causing a fellow Christian to stumble.

Areas where we do not have freedom of choice: In some things, God has given direct instructions. We call these areas of faith or matters of doctrine. In areas where God has legislated, we do not have freedom to choose. Paul writes, “But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:17-18).

We must be obedient to God’s doctrine (“that form of teaching”). This means that if God has given commands or instructions on how He wants something done, then we must do it that way. This clears everything up for us! We do not need to guess or debate what is important. We do not need to guess or argue about how God wants us to behave. He has directly told us what He desires.

Thus, in areas where God has legislated, we cannot “agree to disagree.” We must submit to God’s word and any other view is simply wrong. The challenge for each of us is to become so familiar with God’s word that we know which areas are matters of opinion, and which areas are matters of doctrine.