In introducing the second reading at Evensong on Saturday, the Dean said, of the fall-out between Paul and Barnabas in Acts, “…thus reminding us that disagreement within the church is certainly not a new concept,” or words to that effect.

This set me thinking (always dangerous)…

It would seem that the fundamental disagreement within the church is between those of us who think that disagreement is acceptable, inevitable and indeed healthy; and those who see disagreement as a threat — whether to the church as a whole or to their theological opinions — to be purged entirely.

Unfortunately, as becomes immediately apparent when I suggest that the latter view is wrong and a threat to the church, this is a truly paradoxical disagreement; one that is unlikely to ever be resolved.