Three Controversial Christian Doctrines

There are three controversial Christian doctrines that I am going to discuss. Those consist of, what the Bible says about divorce and remarriage, if pets/animals go to heaven or have souls, and if a Christian is once saved will they always be saved? Controversial topics are just one of those things that you will never get away from simply, because everyone has their own opinion. Firstly, is what the Bible say about divorce and remarriage. “No matter what view one takes on the issue of divorce, it is important to remember Malachi 2:16: “I hate divorce, says the LORD God of Israel.” According to the Bible, marriage is a lifetime commitment. “So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate” (Matthew
19:6). God realizes, that since marriages involve two sinful human beings, divorces are going to occur. In the Old Testament, He laid down some laws in order to protect the rights of divorcées, especially women (Deuteronomy 24:1–4). Jesus pointed out that these laws were given because of the hardness of people’s hearts, not because such laws were God’s desire (Matthew 19:8). With having divorced parents, I am able to relate to this. It is pretty clear that God is very hateful of divorce. I have always believed that divorces were never a good thing, and I am glad that God feels the same way. God is right, marriage is a life commitment. You commit yourself in the beginning and through your vows under God. You are two people that have your differences but put your differences aside, and come together as one. Unfortunately, you can’t make people stay together, but you can do your best to help and give order. However, even though God gives order he recognizes that divorce will still always occur. A divorced or remarried believer should never feel any less loved by God. Sometimes God calls those people to remain single so that their attention is not divided. Remarriage is an option after divorce but that doesn’t mean it the only option. It all depends on how you look at divorce and remarriage; after all, this is why it’s a controversial topic. Secondly, is if pets/animals go to heaven or have souls.
“The Bible does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets/animals have “souls” or whether pets/animals will be in heaven. However, we can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15, 22) have the “breath of life”; that is, both man and animals are living beings. The primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not. Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God, capable of spirituality, with mind, emotion, and will, and they have a part of their being that continues after death. If pets/animals do have a “soul” or immaterial aspect, it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality”. This difference possibly means that pet/animal “souls” do not continue in existence after death.” I have always liked to think that all animals go to heaven. I have always looked at my animals in my home just as valuable to me as another human being. I have never seen my animals any differently than my own family members. I honestly don’t want to believe that we don’t see our animals in heaven once they pass and after we
pass. Lastly, is if a Christian is once saved will they always be saved?
As people come to know Christ as their savior, they are brought into a relationship with God that guarantees salvation as eternally security. Luckily numerous passages of scripture are able to stand behind that. “Romans 8:30 declares, "And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified." This verse tells us that from the moment God chooses us, it is as if we are glorified in His presence in heaven. There is nothing that can prevent a believer from one day being glorified because God has already purposed it in heaven. Once a person is justified, his salvation is guaranteed - he is as secure as if he is already glorified in heaven. Believers are born again (regenerated) when they believe (John 3:3; Titus 3:5). For a Christian to lose his salvation, he would have to be un-regenerated. The Bible gives no evidence that the new birth can be taken away. John 3:15 states that whoever believes in Jesus Christ will "have eternal life." If you believe in Christ today and have eternal life, but lose it tomorrow, then it was never "eternal" at all. Hence if you lose your salvation, the promises of eternal life in the Bible would be in error.” It states that if he calls on us, we are glorified by him. Once saved, always saved. Nothing can prevent a believer, because God already has a purpose for us. Once you justify your salvation it is guaranteed. You don’t
need to worry, because you are secured. Like as said above, believers are born again and it is hard to take a birth away from someone. Therefore, once you are saved, you are always saved unless you give up on him totally. In conclusion, I hope you are able to understand each of these controversial Christian doctrine more clearly. I know some of them can be difficult to understand, and people are always going to believe what they want, but don’t let that stop you from your opinion. There will always be positive and negative having’s to each denomination. These topics may never come to a conclusion, but It might be best to keep it that way.

“Top 20 Most Frequently Asked Bible Questions.” GotQuestions.org Got Questions Ministries, 2002-2015. Web. 01 Oct. 2015. http://www.gotquestions.org/top20.html