Clement of Alexandria from the late 2nd century in answering the criticism raised by both Greeks and Jews of his day:
Since it comes next to reply to the objections alleged against us by Greeks and Jews; and since, in some of the questions previously discussed, the sects also who adhere to other teaching give their help, it will be well first to clear away the obstacles before us, and then, prepared thus for the solution of the difficulties, to advance to the succeeding Miscellany.
First, then, they make this objection to us, saying, that they ought not to believe on account of the discord of the sects. For the truth is warped when some teach one set of dogmas, others another.
To whom we say, that among you who are Jews, and among the most famous of the philosophers among the Greeks, very many sects have sprung up. And yet you do not say that one ought to hesitate to philosophize or Judaize, because of the want of agreement of the sects among you between themselves. And then, that HERESIES SHOULD BE SOWN AMONG THE TRUTH, as “tares among the wheat,” WAS FORETOLD by the Lord; and what was predicted to take place could not but happen.
Clement of Alexandria. 1885. “The Stromata, or Miscellanies.” In Fathers of the Second Century: Hermas, Tatian, Athenagoras, Theophilus, and Clement of Alexandria (Entire), edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, 2:549. The Ante-Nicene Fathers. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company.
“Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’ But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ” – Matthew 13:24-30
I, also, found this passage from Scripture that in the church of Corinth heresies were already abounding from the get go as predicted by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ:
“For there must be also heresies among you, THAT THEY WHICH ARE APPROVED MAY BE MADE MANIFEST AMONG YOU.” (1 Corinthians 11:19)
So, Jesus has a purpose to these divisions/heresies. Similar and consistent with the purpose God allowed heresy in the Old Testament:
“If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD PROVETH YOU, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deuteronomy 13:1–3)
Divisions and heresies and false prophets and false gospels fulfill God’s purposes and predictions! Hardly, a reason to disbelieve our Lord and Savior Jesus but a means by which he tries us and proveth us much like Jeremiah the prophet conclude:
“Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously? THOU HAST PLANTED THEM, yea, they have taken root: they grow, yea, they bring forth fruit: thou art near in their mouth, and far from their reins. But thou, O Lord, knowest me: thou hast seen me, AND TRIED MINE HEART TOWARD THEE: pull them out like sheep for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter. (Jeremiah 12:1–3)
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” – John 10:27-29
Trust Jesus even thru and over the heresies and divisions and let them draw you closer to Him! They are not justified reasons to leave Christ but rather to cling to Him all the more! God bless…
I.AM.THE.WAY.THE.TRUTH.THE.LIFE. – Jesus
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