In the context of the Bible, "controversy" often refers to disputes, disagreements, or conflicts that arise among individuals or groups, particularly concerning matters of faith, doctrine, or moral conduct. The Bible addresses controversy in various ways, providing guidance on how believers should handle disagreements and maintain unity within the body of Christ.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament contains numerous instances of controversy, often involving the Israelites' relationship with God and their adherence to His commandments. One notable example is the controversy between God and His people due to their idolatry and disobedience. In Hosea 4:1 , the prophet declares, "Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the inhabitants of the land: There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land."

Controversies also arose among individuals, such as the dispute between Cain and Abel, which ultimately led to the first murder (Genesis 4:3-8). The account of Korah's rebellion against Moses and Aaron (Numbers 16) is another example, highlighting the dangers of challenging God-appointed leadership.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, controversy often centers around the teachings of Jesus and the early Church. Jesus Himself was frequently at the center of controversy, as His teachings challenged the religious authorities of His time. In Matthew 22:15-22 , the Pharisees attempted to trap Jesus with a question about paying taxes to Caesar, but He skillfully navigated the controversy by stating, "Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s."

The early Church faced controversies regarding the inclusion of Gentiles and the observance of the Mosaic Law. The Jerusalem Council, as recorded in Acts 15, addressed the controversy over whether Gentile converts needed to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders, guided by the Holy Spirit, concluded that Gentiles were not required to bear the yoke of the Law, emphasizing salvation through grace.

Guidance for Handling Controversy

The Bible provides principles for handling controversy among believers. In Matthew 18:15-17 , Jesus outlines a process for resolving disputes: "If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church."

The Apostle Paul also offers guidance in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 1:10 , he urges the church to avoid divisions: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction." Paul emphasizes the importance of love, humility, and patience in resolving conflicts (Ephesians 4:2-3).

Theological Controversies

Throughout church history, theological controversies have arisen, leading to the development of creeds and confessions to clarify orthodox beliefs. The early ecumenical councils, such as Nicaea and Chalcedon, addressed controversies regarding the nature of Christ and the Trinity. These councils sought to preserve the apostolic faith and maintain unity in the Church.

Conclusion

Controversy, while often challenging, can serve as an opportunity for growth and deeper understanding within the Christian community. By adhering to biblical principles and seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit, believers can navigate controversies in a manner that honors God and promotes unity.Galatians 1:8-9
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
Topicalbible.org

1. (n.) Contention; dispute; debate; discussion; agitation of contrary opinions.

2. (n.) Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference.

3. (n.) A suit in law or equity; a question of right.

CONTROVERSY

kon'-tro-ver-si (ribh, "strife," "contention"; homologoumenos, "confessedly," "without controversy"): Used frequently of disputes among men (as Deuteronomy 17:8) and then transferred to the justice of God as directed against the sins of men. Thus we read of Yahweh's controversy with the nations (Jeremiah 25:31); with the inhabitants of the land (Hosea 4:1); with His people (Micah 6:2). "Without controversy" (1 Timothy 3:16), a positive rather than a negative expression, "by common consent," or better, "as unanimously confessed," introducing a quotation from a hymn or rhythmical confession of the early church.

H. E. Jacobs

3672. homologoumenos -- as agreed, by common consent
... Adverb Transliteration: homologoumenos Phonetic Spelling: (hom-ol-og-ow-men'-oce)
Short Definition: admittedly Definition: admittedly, without controversy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3672.htm - 6k

2214. zetesis -- a search, questioning
... Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: zetesis Phonetic Spelling:
(dzay'-tay-sis) Short Definition: a question, debate, controversy Definition: a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2214.htm - 7k

2922. kriterion -- a law court
... Spelling: (kree-tay'-ree-on) Short Definition: criterion, a law-court Definition:
criterion; a law-court; a law-case before an arbiter; a cause, controversy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2922.htm - 6k

4714. stasis -- a rebel, revolutionist
... a standing (properly, the act), ie (by analogy) position (existence); by implication,
a popular uprising; figuratively, controversy -- dissension, insurrection ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4714.htm - 6k

485. antilogia -- gainsaying, contradiction
... opposite to" and 3004 , "speaking to a conclusion") -- properly, a conclusion which
closely "," but does so in an way; a controversy (dispute, "gainsaying ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/485.htm - 7k

3163. mache -- a fight
... fighting, strive, striving. From machomai; a battle, ie (figuratively) controversy --
fighting, strive, striving. see GREEK machomai. (machai) -- 2 Occurrences. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3163.htm - 6k

3055. logomachia -- a strife of words
... logomachia Phonetic Spelling: (log-om-akh-ee'-ah) Short Definition: contention about
words Definition: contention about words, an unprofitable controversy. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3055.htm - 6k

7379. rib -- strife, dispute
... strife, dispute NASB Word Usage adversary (1), case (11), cause (9), complaint
(2), contend (1), contention (1), contentions (3), controversy (1), dispute (11 ...
/hebrew/7379.htm - 6k

7378. rib -- to strive, contend
... Or ruwb {roob}; a primitive root; properly, to toss, ie Grapple; mostly figuratively,
to wrangle, ie Hold a controversy; (by implication) to defend -- adversary ...
/hebrew/7378.htm - 6k

8199. shaphat -- to judge, govern
... entered into judgment (1), entering into judgment (1), execute judgment (1), executing
judgment (1), freed (2), handed down (1), has a controversy (1), Judge (5 ...
/hebrew/8199.htm - 6k

The Great Controversy
The Great Controversy. <. The Great Controversy Ellen Gould White.
Table of Contents. Title Page. PREFACE. Introduction. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/

writings in connection with the donatist controversy.
writings in connection with the donatist controversy. . writings in
connection with the donatist controversy. St. Augustine. Rev. ...
/.../augustine/writings in connection with the donatist controversy /

writings in connection with the Manich??an controversy
writings in connection with the Manich??an controversy. <. writings in
connection with the Manich??an controversy St. Augustine. Rev. ...
/.../augustine/writings in connection with the manichaean controversy /

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan
The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. <. The Great Controversy Between
Christ and Satan Ellen G. White. Table of Contents. Title Page. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy between christ and satan /

The Great Controversy
The Great Controversy. <. ... THE GREAT CONTROVERSY. Page 52. Image
worship.""The worship of images . . . was one of those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the great controversy/the great controversy.htm

Controversy
... The DESIRE of AGES Chapter 66 Controversy. [This ... Pharisees. Between the two parties
the resurrection was especially a subject of controversy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 66 controversy.htm

The Controversy Ended.
The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan. <. ... 42. THE
CONTROVERSY ENDED. [Illustration: Chapter header.] At the ...
/.../the great controversy between christ and satan /42 the controversy ended.htm

Writings in Connection with the Manich??an Controversy
writings in connection with the Manich??an controversy. <. ... writings in
connection with the Manich??an controversy. translated by the Rev. ...
/.../writings in connection with the.htm

Writings in Connection with the Donatist Controversy.
writings in connection with the donatist controversy. . ... writings in connection
with the donatist controversy. translated by the rev. jr king, ma,. ...
/.../writings in connection with the.htm

The Controversy Ended
The Great Controversy. <. ... Chapter 42 The Controversy Ended. At the close
of the thousand years, Christ again returns to the earth. ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 42 the controversy ended.htm

Controversy (21 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Quarrel; strife; cause of variance; difference. 3. (n.) A suit in law or
equity; a question of right. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. CONTROVERSY. ...
/c/controversy.htm - 14k

Job (60 Occurrences)
... 1, 2). (2.) The controversy and its solution, in poetry (ch. 3-42:6). ... The
first course gives the commencement of the controversy (ch. ...
/j/job.htm - 62k

Dispute (37 Occurrences)
... 6. (vi) Verbal controversy; contest by opposing argument or expression of opposing
views or claims; controversial discussion; altercation; debate. ...
/d/dispute.htm - 17k

Indictment (4 Occurrences)
... Jeremiah 25:31 A noise shall come even to the end of the earth; for Yahweh has a
controversy with the nations; he will enter into judgment with all flesh: as ...
/i/indictment.htm - 7k

Controversies (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) Plural of Controversy. Multi-Version Concordance
Controversies (6 Occurrences). Acts 26:3 especially ...
/c/controversies.htm - 8k

Gospels
... for forty years previously been used in estimating the structure and composition
of some of the literary products of antiquity; and the controversy excited by ...
/g/gospels.htm - 73k

Nicolaitans (2 Occurrences)
... 3. Nicolaitan Controversy: The problem underlying the Nicolaitan controversy, though
so little direct mention is made of it in Scripture, was in reality most ...
/n/nicolaitans.htm - 10k

Umpire (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) A person to whose sole decision a controversy or question between parties
is referred; especially, one chosen to see that the rules of a game, as ...
/u/umpire.htm - 7k

Disagreement (3 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) Unsuitableness; unadaptedness. 3. (n.) Difference of opinion or sentiment.
4. (n.) A falling out, or controversy; difference. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/d/disagreement.htm - 7k

Difference (19 Occurrences)
... guilty? 2. (n.) Disagreement in opinion; dissension; controversy; quarrel;
hence, cause of dissension; matter in controversy. 3. (n ...
/d/difference.htm - 13k

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