Is there a biblical basis for the division caused by theology?
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INTRODUCTION
Your specific question is not overly clear, but it seems you are essentially asking if there is any doctrine worth dividing over, and you mention the many denominations that exist as problematic.
I'm reminded of the satirical quote by Steve Turner:
We believe that all religions are basically the same, at least the one we read was.
They all believe in love and goodness, they only differ on matters of creation, sin,
heaven, hell, God, and salvation.
In short, yes, there are doctrinal differences worth dividing over, and there is, indeed, a biblical basis for this. Yet, there are also doctrinal differences that are not worth dividing over as well.
An old axiom is instructive at this point:
In Essentials Unity,
In Non-Essentials Liberty,
In All Things Charity.
So, we have to determine what are the essentials and what are the non-essentials. People will differ on this, but the essentials should probably include 1) the nature of God and 2) the doctrine of salvation at the very least.
ESSENTIALS
Paul wrote his letter to the Galatians to specifically correct heretical doctrine, and he uses some pretty strong language to do so.
I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7 which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. Galatians 1:6-7 NASB
Paul continues with strong words against those that had perverted the purity of the gospel:
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! Galatians 1:8-9 NASB
Thus, the purity of the gospel of grace is, indeed, worth dividing over. Paul preached salvation by grace and not of works and was willing to divide with those who preached a salvation based on law.
NON-ESSENTIALS
Non-essential issues include many things, including church order, musical preference, the use of certain spiritual gifts and other things. Here in America, we have the luxury of going to the particular church that best aligns with all of our individual idiosyncrasies and personal preferences, yet in many other parts of the world, much more unity is displayed, particularly in places where Christianity is under persecution. Still, most mature Christians maintain healthy fellowship and unity with those with whom they differ in non-essentials.
CONCLUSION
So, yes, if someone distorts the nature of God or the doctrine of salvation, we should follow the example of Paul and divide over that. Draw the line in the sand and do not compromise.
Yet, for many other things, we in the West can choose to gather in different buildings and segregate based on peculiar non-essential issues, but we should certainly maintain unity in the faith with all our brothers with whom we can unite in the essentials.
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