Very thought provoking write-up. I agree with much of it but I am not really fond of typical ecunumenical movements as they tend to water down gospel essentials in what seems to be misguided effort to remove the offense from the cross.
I will preface this by saying I am a staunch sectarian when it comes to the gospel but also staunchly opposed to they that would try to divide on the basis of non-essential doctrine. You mentioned a few of those contentions that is cessationanism vs continuationism and those pertaining to soteriology i.e. Calvinism, Semipelagianism etc. but another one I have been dealing with lately is the issue of Conditional Immortality vs Eternal Conscious Torment.
Indeed, there are some (false) teachers that would anathematize those of us in our High Calvinist circles for suggesting that the human soul is not eternal and immortality is conditioned on Christ alone. This was a shocking development as one of the main drivers of this condemnation speaks just as my brethren and I do concerning grace, salvation, the sovereignty of God etc.
Anyways, I think the point I am trying to make is that some division is healthy when and only when it pertains to gospel truths that is the doctrines that pertain to the nature of Christ, His sacrifice, and what His work on the cross accomplished for His elect. These are non-negotiables as denial of any would constitute another gospel.
Galatians 1:6-8 KJVS - 6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
It is true we need unity in the body of Christ yet we need the right kind of unity. The monster of Frankenstein comes to mind, an amalgation of parts that should not belong together. That's what we don't want.
Conversely, we don't want needless division and quarreling which sadly I have oft noticed among professors of what we call the gospel of Sovereign Grace. Lately the topic has been the timing of justification and, at present, I refuse to condemn others for their particular views on the topic while there are more ready to do so.
Anyways, it's just too bad because we already know that the way is narrow and there will be few that find it but these dividers would have us walking on a tightrope of they had their way. May it not be so.
I wish you success with your book sale. Read the description and think I will order a copy. Thanks for the write up!
Thanks for the great comment. Excellent thoughts.
I do want to say that I am not talking about any type of ecumenical movement here as that would imply that the divisions caused by different views over the centuries have some form of validity. As you say, the essential doctrines of the faith must be adhered to without flex, but I have noticed that what many call essential are, in fact nonessential. It is in those areas where the sword of Damocles is most likely to fall, slicing and dicing the body of Christ in the process. Many denominational distinctions aren't necessary and have already done much damage.
Again, thanks for your magnificent response.