The Bible Is Full of Theological Tension

From the very beginning, Scripture has held space for contradiction, evolution, and growth.

Consider these examples:

• Proverbs 26:4–5: “Do not answer a fool…” immediately followed by, “Answer a fool…”
  
• Romans 3:28: Paul says, “A person is justified by faith.”
• James 2:24: James says, “A person is justified by what they do.”

Even the Gospels don’t fully agree on the order of resurrection events. And guess what? The church didn’t fall apart. The Spirit kept moving.

1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us:

“Now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part…”

Our understanding of truth is always partial. Humility is holy.

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A Biblical Pattern of Disagreement

The early church faced real theological division — not just on minor issues, but big ones. Take the clean vs. unclean food:

Year	Event	Passage
AD 32	Jesus declares all food clean	Mark 7:19
AD 49	The Jerusalem Council imposes restrictions	Acts 15:29
AD 57	Paul allows food freedom	1 Corinthians 10:27
AD 90	Jesus (via John) restricts food again	Revelation 2:14

That’s four different teachings on the same topic — in one Bible.
What changed? Context. Culture. Community.

Scripture shows that the church has always held multiple viewpoints. So why are we so afraid to do that now?

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The Church Already Accepts Some Diversity

Many Christians have community with Believers who hold different view topics like:

• Baptism (infant vs. adult, sprinkling vs. immersion)
  
• Communion (symbolic vs. spiritual presence)
  
• End Times (pre-, post-, or amillennial)
• Spiritual Gifts (still active or ceased?)
• Creation (young earth vs. theistic evolution)
• Women in Ministry (pastors or not?)
• Bible Translation and Inerrancy
• Marriage, Divorce, Remarriage

These are significant theological topics and yet we manage to gather, worship, and serve alongside one another. Why?

Because they aren’t salvific. They don’t determine who is or isn’t saved.

So why is only some theological diversity accepted? Why do we treat LGBTQ inclusion as a dealbreaker?

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When Theological Certainty Becomes a Wall

When churches demand 100% agreement on all doctrines, they build invisible walls:

• People are afraid to ask questions.
• Doubt becomes shameful.
• Belonging is conditional.

And most harmfully: LGBTQ Christians are often told they must “change their mind” before they can be welcomed.

But Jesus didn’t treat people that way.

He loved first. He healed first. He included first.

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What This Means for LGBTQ Inclusion

When it comes to LGBTQ theology, we see the same dynamics at play:

• The Bible has been misinterpreted and misused to exclude.
• The so-called “clobber passages” are few in number, highly debated, and mostly about abuse, idolatry, or cultural purity codes, not love or orientation.
• And yet, entire denominations split over inclusion — while happily allowing disagreement on things like alcohol use or the rapture or divorce or extramarital affairs.

The irony?

Romans 14:13:

“Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.”

Romans 15:7:

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you.”

Maybe Paul’s words are more relevant now than ever.

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The Web of Faith

I like the visual my church once shared of thinking of faith like a spider’s web.

• At the center are core beliefs: God as Creator, Jesus as Savior, the Spirit as Guide.
• As you move towards the edges you have secondary beliefs — things like worship style, end times theology, or LGBTQ inclusion.

Sometimes, those outer threads change or break just like sometimes we change or break. But the web still holds. It’s function remains the same. 

That’s the beauty of a living, breathing faith.

John 16:13:

“When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth.”

Faith isn’t static. And truth isn’t a test we pass.
The Spirit is still speaking — if we’re humble enough to listen.

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Final Thoughts: Love First, Worry Less

You don’t have to prove you’re right to belong in the church.
You don’t have to win a debate to be loved by God.
You don’t have to have all the answers to follow Jesus.

So the next time you’re in a conversation about LGBTQ inclusion, or any other theological tension, try this:

Instead of asking “Is that interpretation right?”
Ask: “Is that interpretation reasonable?”

Instead of “Can we agree?”
Ask: “Can we listen to each other with grace?”

“The church is not a group of people who believe all the same things; the church is a group of people caught up in the same story.”
— Rachel Held Evans

If that sounds like a better way forward — you’re in the right place.

 

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Theological Diversity