There are two problems that prompted this thread initially. Probably more, if I thought about it some more, but two that I'm thinking of at the moment. Anyway, one problem is that it is rare to find someone who is able to correct another in a loving, gracious, respectful way. The second is that some people feel that any instance of someone else not agreeing with their viewpoint means they must be corrected. This attempt at correction often includes any or all of the following: a flat insistence that the other person is wrong, saying they are deceived, insisting that they are deliberately spreading false teaching, name calling, telling the other person their belief is silly, suggesting (or flat out telling them) that they are less spiritual/enlightened/educated/discerning/etc., and the list goes on. This is not loving correction. It is actually a form of bullying.
One of our most contentious topics is that of end-times scenarios. It's amazing the amount of bickering over things like pre/mid/post-trib rapture, which have been debated by learned men for ages. For some reason, people seem to find it impossible to state their views without insisting that other views are indefensible and unacceptable and that those who hold those views are spiritually, intellectually, or morally deficient. I don't think this is what Paul was talking about in the Scriptures above. Or, it applies in that the brother who is continually contentious is the one who needs to be corrected and, if he won't accept correction, is to be avoided. Not on the basis of his pet eschatalogical view, but on the basis of his behavior toward his brother.
One of our most contentious topics is that of end-times scenarios. It's amazing the amount of bickering over things like pre/mid/post-trib rapture, which have been debated by learned men for ages. For some reason, people seem to find it impossible to state their views without insisting that other views are indefensible and unacceptable and that those who hold those views are spiritually, intellectually, or morally deficient. I don't think this is what Paul was talking about in the Scriptures above. Or, it applies in that the brother who is continually contentious is the one who needs to be corrected and, if he won't accept correction, is to be avoided. Not on the basis of his pet eschatalogical view, but on the basis of his behavior toward his brother.