This is a test

testing

Lessons About the Usefulness of Christianity

Recently my wife and I were privileged to attend the Dedication Ceremony for the donation ceremony of Dr. Virgil Trout’s 16,000 volume library.  Dr. Trout has lectured in over one-third of our nations major universities on Christianity, ethics, and Science. (See http://devotionalsforeverydayliving.blogspot.com/2012/10/dr.html for a short bio).   His topic at the dedication was:  The Usefulness of the Impossible.  The impossible was defined as “the Word became flesh” and dwelling among men and impossibility of the resurrection.  The impossible was God becoming man and the Christ after crucifixion being raised from the death.  Both are impossible acts in any natural world sense.  Yet, we have ample evidence of Christ’s existence on earth and testimonies and circumstantial evidence of His resurrection.

What then is “useful” about these impossibilities?  Do they have any practical applications?  Virgil gives five areas that are impacted:  1) History 2) Ethics 3) Science 4) Politics and 5) Religion.  For History they give purpose and direction. For Ethics they provide the basis of respect and conduct of man to man. For Science, a human enterprise, they provide a God created universe to explore and protect.  For Politics, they provide the imperative for man to give to the state what the state needs as good citizens. They provide ethics for the state, and for Religion they are the guide to the relationship with God.  These are the categories Dr. Trout delineated.  What follows are my thoughts.

Some, even Christians, would eliminate the interaction of the Christian with some of these categories.  But Christian are part of creating history.  They cannot escape doing so.  Certainly the purpose of Christians is to use their talents to serve others (Eph 4).   Few would argue that these impossibilities have no effect on the development of ethical principles.  Ethics are just the moral principles that guide our lives.  Without the guidance of God, man develops some crazy rules for right conduct.  In Science it is the very God created “laws” that enable to understand how our world works.  Our understanding of God’s world changes as we grow and develop.  It is good that science that tells to let the land “rest”.  Politics is the “sticky” category for most modern day Christians.  In earlier times, the pulpit and political advocacies were joined.  But like history, Christians live in a political world.  Their actions or inaction contribute positively or negatively.  As Dr. Trout said, it is not an accident we enjoy the liberties we have in the U.S.  It is impossible to separate your personal decisions from what happens politically.  Inaction or indifference is both a decision and an action.  So your Christianity should inform your actions not only morally but politically as well.   Religiously we must love God and love our neighbor as ourselves.  There is absolute truth.  Truth is not relative.

The above just serves to introduce how these “impossibilities” inform every aspect of our Christian lives.  Contrary to the enterprise of  “taking religion out of the public square” Christianity is the very fabric that inform especially our public as well as our private lives.

Reflections on the Movie "Heaven is for Real"

Reflections on the Movie

“Heaven is for Real”

This afternoon my wife and I went to the movie “Heaven is for Real.”  In this movie and the book on which it is based, Colton, a four year old, relates his experiences in “heaven.”  These experiences occurred during an appendix operation in which Colton almost died, but in fact did not die.  Some of these experiences included: 1) seeing his father in one room praying (and mad at God) and his mother in another room.  The parents had not talked about this 2) Seeing his “unborn” little sister that was the result of a miscarriage (the parents had not told him of this) 3) Seeing his grandfather and identifying his picture having never seen either 4) Seeing Jesus and identifying a picture painted by another girl (also 4 when she had her experience) as Jesus and 5) Seeing other things in heaven and seeing angels.  This is a sampling.

What the movie does is raise the vital question: “Is heaven real?”   Of course as Christians, one might be quick to say, of course.  But is that really our true belief?   What is the real basis of that belief?  If true, how does that change the way we view life and its troubles?  How does that change how we live?

I would submit that the gospel of John provides both challenges and answers.  A most profound statement is ^“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”  After the crucifixion, we were told “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.”  John gives us six miracles that Jesus  performed: 1) Changing of water to wine (Jn. 2:1)  2) Healing of the nobleman’s son (Jn. 4:46)  3) Healing of the impotent man (Jn. 5:1)  4) Feeding of the five thousand ( Jn. 6:1) 5) Walking on water (Jn. 6:16)  6) Healing of the man born blind (Jn. 9:1) and 7) the raising of Lazarus from the dead (11:1).   John further tells us “these are written that you may believe ^x that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (Jn. 20:31).

So….if we believe in this we must believe that the son of God became fully human (Flesh), lived with humans in the first century, was killed, and then was resurrected.  We must believe there is a Creator God (John 1) and he had a Son who became human.  While he was here on earth He did some unearthly things that can’t be explained by any physical processes.  This culminated by his raising a person from the death who was already decaying (he had been there four days and had a bad odor).  Not only was this true but He Himself was resurrected, not as some “ghost” but as a person who could eat a breakfast of fish (John 21).   This is all “out of this world” narration. 

What are the implications for the questions I first posed?  First, the basis of our belief in heaven is belief in Jesus as the resurrected Son of God and the Creator of everything.  Belief in this implies belief in what he said and what he did.  What did he do?  He performed what we call miracles.  John records seven of these as delineated above.  All of these events cannot be explained “rationally.” By this I mean there are no known physical processes that could explain these events.  They are what we call “miracles.” Miracles are “a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency.”  It follows if we believe in Christ we must believe in miracles.

But do we, really?   Those of our fellowship in the churches of Christ were taught that miracles ceased after the apostles and those they “laid their hands on” died.  We were taught that these “miracles” were only necessary during the initial spreading of the gospel.  But, can one find in the scriptures where this is written explicitly?  Let’s say that the type of miracles done by the apostles can’t be replicated today i.e. we have no apostle or those that they laid hands on.  Does this mean miracles do not exist today?   I would submit, this is an unwarranted conclusion. 

Note that to believe in Christ one MUST believe in miracles.  If we not believe in miracles why do we pray?   What does it mean when we are told the prayer of a righteous man “avails much”?    Aren’t we praying for divine intervention?  Or is our faith only that the human skill and reasoning of a care giver is successful?  In other words, do we rely only on what man can do?  If so, that is not really a prayer of faith.  Those that have no faith in Christ also hope that the skill of the care giver is successful.  Do we do the same or does our belief that “God can do anything (Luke 2) only hold for what happened in the first century?   The real implication of the fundamental basis of our belief is that God can accomplish miracles.  If so, the consequence should be a fundamental change in attitude in how we view life.  God can take care of all troubles.  Does this mean we will not have trouble or that they will not be painful?  I think not.  Calvary was painful for Christ.  But, we can look beyond the pain to the other side.  At the same time, we can petition God for a miracle with the faith that he can, if it is his will, grant that miracle.

We should then be able to live life without fear- as our understanding lets us know “perfect –or mature- love casts out fear.”  We are human so sudden tragedies can cause us to be afraid—momentarily.  We can get angry, sad, troubled, trembling, but ultimately our belief in the very fact of miracles—in the final analysis in the miracle of the Word becoming Flesh, dwelling among us, and being resurrected – gives us hope.

Did Colton see Jesus, his grandfather, and see heaven?  Did two four year olds, one in the U.S. and one in Lithuania, see the same Jesus? Colton identified Jesus from the portrait the girl drew.  We can try to rationalize his story by random firing of neurons or hallucinations.   But, if we believe in Jesus, we must believe in miracles.  If we believe Christ answers prayers, we must believe in supernatural intervention by God in the affairs of men.  And, we must believe heaven is real.

The Three Great Gifts of God

What would you consider the three greatest gifts of God?   Of course Christians would commonly go immedidately to the gift of Christ -- the Word becoming flesh. That is true, but perhaps some reflection would reveal a deeper understanding of just what this means.  I would propose three very specifc gifts.

The first gift is found in Genesis.  God saw fit to create the universe and all that is in it.  The Word participated in that creation:

        "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was with          God in the beginning. ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been           made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind."  John 1:1–4 (NIV) 

What happened during the creation event is truly remarkable.  

      " So God created mankind in his own image, 
         in the image of God he created them; 
         male and female he created them. (Gen. 1:27)

The first great gift of God to Man was life itself.  And, this was not just any life, but life that was created in His own image.  What exactly it means to be created in the image of God has been much debated.  Some elements seem obvious. Man can talk to God and have a relationship to him.  Man seems to be God's representative on earth and has dominion over it at God's command.  Man has intellect and can reason. Man has  the capacity to have godly attributes: love, purity, compassion, etc.   

This brings me to what I propose is the second greatest gift bestowed upon man.  Man has the ability to make choices.  Man has free will.   This is  also an attribute that has been endlessly disbuted.  Some in the scientific world would postulated all actions, even those that appear to be freelly  made, are determined by only cause and effect.  Others would ask how can we have free will if God already knows what is going to happen in advance?  There are other endless arguments whether free will exists with varying defintions.  ( examining each would take several books, not a short essay) What seems clear is God gave man the ability to choose one's course of action over another whether one defines this as "free will" or not.  We are not robots. 

Alas, this freedom to choose a particular course of action lets man make unwise choices.  Coupled with this abiltiy to choose is one's responsibility for one's actions.  Since Man through Adam and Eve made a choice forbidden to them, they sinned against God.  In short they wished to be completely like God.  This, then. leads to the third greatest gift of God.  

" for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement,  through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.' (Ro 3:23–25).

This  gift truly is the grace of God towards Man.   What a gift?  The gift of justification by grace through Christ and received by faith.  So, we return to the first gift--life itself.  God gave Man life, the ability to chose, and even when their choice would lead to death, and then gift of life again if we choose to believe in Christ to be justified by Him.  What a glorious God!

Reflections on Cooperation and Religious Divisions

Attendance at a recent Missions Resource Network benefit dinner, sparked thoughts of the religious divisions and lack of coorperation that long characterised congregtions of the churches of Christ.  I was born and raised in the 40's, 50's, and 60's--more than 50 years distance from our present culture.  During those times,  many good practices were prevalent, chief among them a study and knowledge of scripture.  Alas, knowledge does not in itself mean understanding and practice.

Congregational autonomy was taken to a fault. Other than area "Sunday singings," little real cooperative efforts were the norm.   Sometimes a local city campaign with a prominent speaker in the church induced a "Billy Graham" effort of cooperation.   The 60's in particular were marked by the "anti" movement.  When my wife and I moved to Phoenix right out of the university, we sought the nearest congregation to our little one bedroom furnished apartment.  It was an "anti" congregation where the entire sermon was condemning other Christians who "cooperated" in any way with Christian based groups--Christian universities, orphan homes, other congregations and Christians who supported them, and those who did not conduct their services in the right way.  It was so bad we did not feel comfortable taking communion there.  Fortunately, we found a loving and accepting congregation nearby.  Though the "anti" movement within the churches of Christ has almost dissipated over the last half century,  in my view it damaged the message of Christ for decades.

The Restoration heritage of "back to the bible" unfortunately evolved in some circles into an insistence on "doctrinal purity" before one congregation could "be in fellowship" with another congregation.  This usually focused on insisting on using some "accepted" form of worship for being "in fellowship."   However, what was "doctrine" for one group was "liberty" for another group.  The emphasis was on  what what perceived to be the accepted "pattern" and not on relationships--whether relationship with God, with one another, or with other Christians.  The admonition in Ephesians 4 to use our God given spiritual gifts for service to others was little heard.  "Home Bible Studies"  consisted primarily of how the church was established in Act 2,  on baptism, and on the organization of the church.  Christ was not at the center of these lessons.  We know,  as my wife and I created a separate chart on the life of Christ.  The charts we were using had little about Christ. This insistence  on "pattern" or particular "forms" of worship lead to multiple  splits or divisions within the church.

Concurrent with the divisions within the church itself was an insistence that a congregation could not cooperate in any overt way with others in the community.   Those who  were providing a service to others--other faith based groups or  community service groups-- could not be associated with.   The thinking was "the church" would not get the credit for the service provided.  Doing so would lend tacit consent to the doctrine of denominations that we did not agree with.  Note here the insistence that the church of Christ was not a "denomination" but was "The Church"--never mind that the churches of Christ fit precisely the normal English language dictionary definition of a denomination.  ( Of course, Christ's church universal is one and not a denomination.  The forms it takes certainaly are different even within the churches of Christ).

The above attitudes contributed to the common perception that the members of the Churches of Christ believed they were the only ones going to heaven.  When pressed most members would deny this, but then insist only those believed or practiced as they did would would be acceptable to God.  The presupposition not stated was the Churches of Christ had completely restored the New Testament church found in the bible.    Never mind the fact there were significant differences in the understanding of the workings of the Holy Spirit,  and continual squabbles on forms of worship and other doctrinal matters.   The "worship wars" that came to other faith based groups came to the churches of Christ also--just later in time.

We are thankful that many of these attitudes are fading in our fellowship.  Para-church groups like MIssion Resource Network, Let's Start Talking, Eastern European Missions, Great Cities Missions, Kairos, Mission Alive, etc. are doing much for the Lord and are supported by both members  and congreagations alike.  Christian universities and colleges are supported as well.   Local congregations support groups such as Habitat for Humanity, Samaritan Inn, Local Food Banks, and Children's Relief Fund.  Members are emphasizing real relationships with God, each other, and developing relationships with their neighbors and the unchurched.   All of this does not mean we have abandoned baptism for the remission of sins, or even a cappella music.  But, it does mean the restoration of doctrine is balanced with the restoration of relationships.  It also recogizes that using the bible as a "rule book", "constitution", or a using "pattern" hermenutic may not be the best way or even a good way of determining  what God wishes us to do as individual Christians or congregations.

The Siren Allure of Political Activism

There are Christians on both sides of the political spectrum who are actively engaged in the political process.  On the modern liberal and progressive side, many espouse political activity as the means to enact “social justice” in our society. (1) “John Dewey, the most thoughtful of the Progressives, wrote that freedom is not "something that individuals have as a ready-made possession.  It is "something to be achieved." In this view, freedom is not a gift of God or nature. It is a product of human making, a gift of the state.”   … "The state has the responsibility for creating institutions under which individuals can effectively realize the potentialities that are theirs." (2) (3)On the conservative side, the means to a just society and economic well being is through exercising the liberties guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution and in free market capitalism.  “Free-market capitalism is not perfect. But it remains the single most efficient and powerful system for creating wealth, reducing poverty and developing less wasteful ways of organizing output and consuming resources.” (4). Both of these views have profound ideas about man and his relationship to the state.  What both views have is common is: a) a reliance on the how man is governed to enhance economic well being and liberty and b) active participation by each of us in bringing about a more just and equal society—though the definitions of these two terms might be different.

I submit the siren allure of political activity to further the state of man has inherent dangers for the Christian participant.  It is not that participation in the political process is to be denied or discouraged.  It is not a belief that any participation in civil government is wrong.  Some Christians believe with David Libscomb “that government is not a force for good: It is a force for bad, and Christians should attempt to persuade people to follow the laws of God rather than using force. He argued that Christians should not participate in politics, should not vote, and should not fight in wars.” (5) (6).   I am not of that persuasion.   On the contrary, I am a member of a political party, of political action groups, have served as a delegate to our convention at the state level, and attend various political activities.  So what then is the problem?  The problems are threefold: 1) Confusing the state and its functions with the mission of the church  2) Confusing participation in political activism with personal Christian responsibilities and 3) Letting the allure of political activism become your personal idol.

The United States had as its founding principles the Declaration statement that we are “endowed by God with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”   In addition, the Founders consistently stated its implementation in our Constitution was only suitable for a moral and religious people.    Along with the philosophy of the Enlightenment, these foundations are paramount for those of the conservative persuasion in particular.  It is a small step to believe that the United States is the favored Christian nation and in some sense is like the nation of Israel,-- God’s light to the world.  In short, it is a small step to confuse the mission of the church as the mission of the state.  But, the United States is not the church.  Our true citizenship is in the Kingdom.   This confusion can easily lead one to believe the actions you might take as a citizen activist serves the responsibility you have as a servant of Christ.  In fact, the allure can be so great you pursue and give your entire allegiance to the state not to the Kingdom.

It is true that God favored Israel when it kept its covenant and punished it as well as other nations when they became evil.  But he also blessed nations when they acknowledge Him as Lord.

 Jeremiah 12:14–17 (NIV)

¹⁴ This is what the Lord says: “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands and I will uproot the people of Judah from among them. ¹⁵ But after I uproot them, I will again have compassion and will bring each of them back to their own inheritance and their own country. ¹⁶ And if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the Lord lives’—even as they once taught my people to swear by Baal—then they will be established among my people. ¹⁷ But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it,” declares the Lord.

There is no reason not to believe that nations are indeed blessed by God when they acknowledge him as Lord.  And, from Revelation 6 we know that God punishes nations for the evil that transpires.  As in the Old Testament he punishes those who are evil so that they may repent.  Revelation clearly depicts a difference between those who “dwell on the earth” and those who are sealed with God’s name (Rev. 6;10).  In other words it is the difference between those whose citizenship is in heaven and those whose allegiance and citizenship is on the earth.   In the words of John Mark Hicks in his comments on Revelation:   “They are part of the socio-political, anti-Christian powers (cf. Revelation 6:10; 11:10). They look to the powers rather than to one who sits on the throne in heaven for their guidance and life. This is the essence of idolatry.” (7)

But in no sense is being a citizen of a state the same as being a citizen of heaven.  Neither should one confuse “the church” with “the state”.  This confusion is not a problem for progressives who insist that all aspects of religion should be banished from the public square.   Christian progressives, however, have a different but similar attraction to the state.  In the progressive case transformation of society through the state is a prime objective.  The state is to provide salvation of man from injustice and should bring about equality and economic justice.  But, it is not the mission of the church to transform the forms of government.  If it was, Paul would not have sent the slave Philemon back to his master.  This is a telling case in that slavery is the epitome of injustice to Americans.  But, progressives “look to the powers” of the state for resolution rather than “the one who sits on heaven”.   In fact for them the purpose of the state is to “create individuals”. (3).  Our danger as Christians is we too would look to the state for individual transformation and put all of their energies into this effort...  As John Mark Hicks stated this is the essence of idolatry.

Conservatives believe that all human beings are by their nature “free” with society being a voluntary association of individuals.  They create a social compact and laws for the common good.   It is the duty of the state to protect individuals so that they can “be all they can be” or in the words of the Declaration be protected in their “pursuit of happiness.” The particular political form of society that our Constitution has enshrined is a republic that divides powers in order to ensure the protection of individuals.  The economic structure has also been named “democratic capitalism” –for it is far from a complete “free market” system where anything goes. (8).  One of the most cogent interpreters of our system has stated our democracy has three principles for success (9):

1)    Democracy defines the political part

2)     Capitalism defines the economic part

3)    The Moral Culture that defines the virtues that must be present

The voluntary association of individuals means not only individuals themselves but the free components of a civil society including families, churches, clubs, political groups, social groups, etc.  A free polity must first, as individuals, govern themselves. “A corrupt, lazy, dishonest, and decadent society cannot preserve human liberty. “  

With moral underpinnings required for our system to work, it is very easy to confuse our mission as Christians with our obligations as citizens.  We can rationalize our actions in pursuit of furthering the moral underpinnings of our political system with our personal obligations as citizens to our fellowman.  After all, we all have limited time.

As a citizen of heaven we have the obligation to use our God given gifts for “works of service” to our fellowman—Christian and non-Christian.  The depiction of the judgment in Matt 25 clearly indicates our obligation to the poor and the outcasts of society. It is quite easy for progressives to be seduced into believing their personal Christian duty for service is achieved through their political activism for social justice through the state.   For conservatives, the thought would be “we pay taxes for that.”  After all, the state takes my hard earned money for these social programs to provide for the poor and disadvantaged.

Since our political system requires a moral and religious underpinning  we are thus easily lead to believe that our mission as Christians is to transform that system. That is not our mission as Christians.  Likewise, since the “state” has taken over many Christian obligations for society at large (taking care of the poor, etc) it is easy to say this satisfies my individual responsibility.  Can you picture standing before Christ at judgment and in your defense saying “I gave him a cup of water through my taxes to the state?”  Can a progressive who believes transformation is accomplished through the state defend this  before Christ by saying “ I transformed lives through my actions for the state?”

When then, does the allure of political activism become an idol?  It becomes an idol when you place your allegiance to transformation of lives in the actions of the state. It becomes an idol when you transfer your obligation as a Christian for service to other individuals to service to and allegiance to the state. The siren call of political activism is a alluring seductress. 

Bibliography

1. About the Center for American Progress. Center for American Progress. [Online] [Cited: Aug 13, 2013.] http://www.americanprogress.org/.

2. Schambra, Thomas G. West and William A. The Progressive Movement and the Transfomation of American Politices. First Principles on Political Thought. [Online] July 18, 2007. [Cited: Aug 13, 2013.] http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2007/07/the-progressive-movement-and-the-transformation-of-american-politics.

3. Leadership for America: First Principles. The Heritage Foundation. [Online] 2013. [Cited: Aug 13, 2013.] http://www.heritage.org/initiatives/first-principles.

4. Wesbury, Brian S. A Protrait of the Economy. The Wall Street Journal. [Online] Feb 14, 2007. [Cited: Aug 13, 2013.] http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117142605260108183.html.

5. Stringham, Edward. Foreward to On Civil Government. Foreward. [Online] Vance Publications, May 2006. [Cited: Aug 13, 2013.] http://www.vancepublications.com/cr/cr117f.pdf.

6. Libscomb, David. Civil Government: Its Origin, Mission, and Destiny, and the Christian's Relationship to It. Nashville : McQuiddy Printing Co. , 1913.

7. Hicks, John Mark. Revelation 9: Imagine Your Work Nightmare. John Mark Hick's Ministries. [Online] Aug 10, 2013. [Cited: Aug 13, 2013.]

8. Novak, Michael. The Spirit of Free Market Capitalism. Lanham : Madison, 1991. 978--0-8191-7823-7.

9. —. Democratic Capitalism. National Review Online. [Online] Sept 24, 2013. [Cited: Sept 24, 2013.] www.nationalreview.com/node/359306/print.

Can the Church Have Unity in Diversity?

"Diversity" is a word charged with meaning in our world.  It usually provokes strong emotions from both proponents and antagonists.  In the secular world arguments for diversity rest upon two postulates: 1) Racial discrimination in the past necessitates positive inclusion of minority groups in decisions in order to "make up" for past discrimination in organizations 2)  "Studies show how diversity improves academic performance, reduces prejudice, lowers stress and psychological barriers, and has broad positive effects on workforce development." (1) This latter statement is the result of research of the social scientists who filed an amicus brief in the case of Fisher vs. University of Texas.

So how does this term “diversity” apply in the church setting or perhaps more appropriately in the kingdom setting? It should be clear the bible does not countenance any discrimination based upon race. Galatians 3:28 (NIV) ^“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”   So, there is no question that diversity in this sense is a fundamental tenet of any grouping of Christians.   In one respect this corresponds to the moral argument for diversity in the secular world.  That is, there is no place for discrimination based on the moral grounds for equality alone.

The second tenet for secular diversity is based on sociological arguments.  In this case both gender and racial diversity are postulated to give better organizational outcomes. Specifically, “racial diversity is associated with increased sales revenue, more customers, greater market share, and greater relative profits. Gender diversity is associated with increased sales revenue, more customers, and greater relative profits.” (2)   Since there is no question that neither racial nor gender discrimination is permitted in a Christian group, setting aside the question of different roles for the present, it is the positive attributes that people from different backgrounds and different gifts bring that would enhance the service of Christian bodies.   This second tenet is certainly in line with the teaching that Christ gives each Christian “gifts”. (Eph 4:7-8) Each Christian is to be equipped to use these gifts in “works of service.” (Eph 4:12).  This corresponds with Paul’s teaching on the diversity in the body of Christ. Paul explains this in I Cor. 12:12 and continues through 12:27:  “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. “ …… Certainly here he is talking about the diversity among the individual members of the church. 

I wish to explore another meaning for “diversity” in the church.  In what sense can the beliefs and interpretations of scripture be diverse by either members or congregations and still “unity” be maintained?  In particular can the church be unified in diversity?  Is this type of unity biblical?

Let us examine whether individual members can have diverse views and still be “united”.   Closely related to “unity” are the concepts of being “one” and the concept of “fellowship.”  If we are “united” does this make us “one?”   What does it mean to be in “fellowship?”   And, in our discussion, how much “diversity” can we have and still be considered to be “one”, in “unity”, and in “fellowship?”

Perhaps, we should first explore what “unity” means in the biblical setting. The most comprehensive statement of unity is found in Eph 4:1-6

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ³ Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. ⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

A striking portion of this scripture is the call for patience, love, and peace in fostering unity.    This unity is one “of the Spirit.” The Greek term for “unity” used here, ἑνότης, is only found here and in verse 13.  It “means a state of oneness or of being in harmony and accord.” (3).  Of course this brings the question of what being in harmony and accord means.  Whatever it is, it is “of the Spirit”.  Also, it is clear since the Ephesians are to “keep” or maintain this unity.  It is something that already exists, not something they are creating “from scratch”.  It is to be maintained “through the bond of peace.” Within the larger context of Ephesians the letter can be summarized as one of “reconciliation”.  The reconciliation is of Jew to Gentile and of man to God through Christ (Eph 2:14-18). The context is of maintaining unity through peace of Christians with very different backgrounds and ideas—that of Jews and Gentiles.  

 

These concepts of “bonding” and “peace” are also found in Paul’s writing to Colossi. (Colossians 3:14-15)

¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. “

Here “love” is the bonding ingredient with peace the result. 

The unity of the Spirit in the church is next expressed in Ephesians by the seven ones: 1) one body, Spirit, and hope 2) one Lord, faith, and baptism and 3) one God.  Paul talks extensively about the oneness of the body.  In Christ, there is only one body.  We have only one Spirit.  We have the same hope given by the gospel of Christ.  Before reconciliation we had no hope.  The calling of our hope is the calling of the gospel.  It is the calling of the reconciliation of man to God and to one another in Christ. The triad of the one Lord, faith, and baptism are tied together.   These three are bond together as the “baptismal declaration of faith” in Christ as Lord.  This concept is central. 

Galatians 3:27–29 (NIV)  ^27” For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. ²⁸ There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. ²⁹ If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. “1 Corinthians 12:13–14 (NIV) ¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

It would seem from the above that baptism is one of the unifying forces.  The ending of course is the Oneness of God in all of this. 

We have discussed oneness and unity but not yet fellowship, nor have we discussed either in terms of “diversity”.   The word for “fellowship” is κοινωνία which means “close association involving mutual interests and sharing, association, communion,^” (3).  There can be many types of “fellowship”.   There can be fellowship in ministry (2 Cor. 8:4), the right hand of fellowship in spreading the gospel (Gal. 2:9, Eph 5:11, Phil 1:5), fellowship of the Spirit (Phil 2:1), fellowship in giving and receiving (Phil 4:15), fellowship with affliction (Phil 4:14), and fellowship with sin (Rev 18:4)

We wish to explore the theological basis of fellowship and what this basis means for fellowshipping one another.  Here is what John has to say:

1 John 1:3–7 (NIV) ³ We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. ⁴ We write this to make our joy complete. ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

It is the fact of the existence of Christ as Savior in the flesh that John proclaims and this is the theological basis of fellowship of John with other Christians and with the Father. There is another basis given here as well.  One cannot continue to live a life of sin and expect to have fellowship with either Christ or other Christians.  But, this does not mean Christians must be “sinless” in the sense they commit no sin?  The answer is no. Christ’s blood takes care of that.  So, we may conclude that fellowship is extended by John to those that believe in the tenets of the gospel (Christ came in the flesh, died, buried, and was resurrected).  In one sense the remainder of this epistle of John gives the basis for this fellowship and how we can know we have fellowship with him (See 1 John 5).

In order to illuminate how much diversity we can have and still be “unified”, it is instructive to examine some of the practices in congregations depicted in the New Testament.   Let us began with the congregation in Jerusalem.  The first church established on the Day of Pentecost was decidedly a “Jewish” church.  By Jewish is meant not only ethnic origin, but Jewish in its practices.  After its establishment, Peter prompted by the Lord in a vision preached the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts  10).  Gentiles, of course did not observe the Jewish laws and rites.  He was immediately criticized by Jewish brethren for this (Acts 11).  After the stoning of Stephen, persecution scattered some of the Jerusalem converts.  Some of them from Cyprus and Cyrene went to the Gentiles in Antioch.  The Jerusalem church sent Barnabus to Antioch.  He recruited Paul for work together at Antioch and also they proceeded on the first mission trip together.   After some time they returned to Antioch.  Here “Certain people came down from Judea to Antioch and were teaching the believers: “Unless you are circumcised, according to the custom taught by Moses, you cannot be saved.”  They also wished them to keep the Law of Moses. “This brought Paul and Barnabas into sharp dispute and debate with them.”  This prompted the “Jerusalem Council” in Acts 15 where ultimately the elders and apostle at Jerusalem gave the following instruction to their Gentile brothers: “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements: ²⁹ You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things.” 

However, it is evident the Jerusalem church continued themselves to observe the law.  Later when Paul returned to Jerusalem in Acts 21 we find the following:

Acts 21:17–26 (NIV)

¹⁷ When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly. ¹⁸ The next day Paul and the rest of us went to see James, and all the elders were present. ¹⁹ Paul greeted them and reported in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. ²⁰ When they heard this, they praised God. Then they said to Paul: “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law. ²¹ They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. ²² What shall we do? They will certainly hear that you have come, ²³ so do what we tell you. There are four men with us who have made a vow. ²⁴ Take these men, join in their purification rites and pay their expenses, so that they can have their heads shaved. Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. ²⁵ As for the Gentile believers, we have written to them our decision that they should abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality.” ²⁶ The next day Paul took the men and purified himself along with them. Then he went to the temple to give notice of the date when the days of purification would end and the offering would be made for each of them.

I have quoted this extensively to illustrate how diverse the actual practices of the Jewish congregation in Jerusalem and the Gentile congregation were.  The Christians at Jerusalem continued their Jewish rites and customs.  Paul did so as well.  The Gentiles neither did this nor were required to do so.   For the purposes of our discussion, it is clear that the Jews in Jerusalem (which continued their religious rites and traditions as Jews) and the Christians in Antioch were in “fellowship”.    It also seems clear that the Jews above who were “zealous for the law” and believed one had to be circumcised were still in fellowship with the elders and church there even though they still believed Gentiles should do so.  In other words they were baptized believers that had a serious doctrinal error but not “put out” or dis-fellowshiped from the Jerusalem church.  Of course Paul had to continually combat Jewish Christians (teachers) who tried to bind the law on Gentiles for salvation (e. g. the letters to the Galatians and Romans). 

Does this mean that the Jerusalem Christians would have been “comfortable” worshiping with Gentiles in Antioch who did not observe their Jewish rituals?  I doubt it.  Does this mean Gentiles would have been totally at ease going to the Jerusalem worship service? Probably not.  But, lack of comfort is not a reason for not treating the others as “brothers in Christ.”

Let us see what other diverse practices we find in the scriptures with Christians still considering the participants “brothers.”   How diverse were the practices of Christians at Corinth?  First, Paul calls those in the church at Corinth “brothers and sisters” (I Cor. 1:26).   However, it is clear that there will be “brothers and sisters” who have different levels of maturity and thus with different understandings about what is an accepted religious practice (here eating meats sacrificed to idols).   Clearly there was a diversity of human “status” and no admonition to change this unless this enhanced one’s ability as a Christian: I Cor. 7:17-24

¹⁷ Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them. ……²⁰ Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them. ²¹ Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. ²² For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. ²³ You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. ²⁴ Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Perhaps the greatest statement of the freedom we have in religious practice is Paul’s in I Cor. 9:19-23

¹⁹ Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. ²⁰ To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹ To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²² To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³ I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

This statement is consistent with what we have observed in Paul’s behavior in Acts.  In addition, Paul speaks of our freedom (even of religious practices) in his letter to Colossae: (Col. 216-23)

Colossians 2:16–23 (NIV)

¹⁶ Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. ¹⁷ These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. ¹⁸ Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into great detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. ¹⁹ They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

²⁰ Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules: ²¹ “Do not handle! Do not taste! Do not touch!”? ²² These rules, which have to do with things that are all destined to perish with use, are based on merely human commands and teachings. ²³ Such regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.

Clearly, there is a great deal of freedom implied by these verses.   At same time, there is great admonition against imposing certain practices upon others.

The problem is the issues at the center when Paul was writing are not the issues today.  Most discussion is of two central natures: 1) Jewish practices vs. Freedom in Christ and 2) Gentile cultural practices vs. Freedom in Christ.   So, what was central to the limits of diversity then?  Clearly, unity without diversity would be conformity.  But, clearly first century congregations were not uniform in composition or religious practices.   The limits to diversity are sometimes stated as determining the limit of what is “truth” vs. what is “error.” Unfortunately stating the question this way most often leads to disunity, not unity. What is “truth” to one group may be “error” to another depending on how one interprets scripture.  Perhaps, we should examine what issues the apostles would not tolerate within the body.   That is, what are the core theological principles that unite Christians? 

First, it should be clear that the form of what we call the “formal” worship service was not the source of unity.   The Corinthian church and the Jerusalem church members did not have a “liturgy” or set form when they met.  In fact, there is no evidence of a set form worship services are to follow anywhere found in the New Testament.  One can immediately conclude that “worship wars” among us have little basis for conflict.     A set liturgy or set form to conduct a worship service may be “comfortable” and serve to say “we are in the right place” but is not a basis of unity nor should be a basis of disunity.  One place may conclude singing three songs (led by a song leader from the front), having a prayer, serving the Lord’s Suppers, having preaching and always concluding with an invitation song and a final prayer is good practice.   This “good practice” before long become “traditional” with deviations frowned upon.  Then it quickly becomes “sinful” if things are done differently.  Never mind that the first Christians who met in homes would not have had anything like this order (cite the church at Corinth or Jerusalem).

It would seem that the scriptures condemn those that:

 1) Deny the deity of Christ (I John)

2) Practice sin (many lists of vices and sins) as a way of life and

 3) Those that bind practices as a condition of salvation other than the simple gospel (Paul’s many admonitions against binding the Jewish law on Gentiles). 

 The major principles for unity are also three:

1)      We are united through love for one another and peace

2)      We are united by our acceptance of Christ and faith as our Savior through his death, burial, and resurrection and through his Grace the forgiveness of sins

3)      We are united by the unity of the Spirit given by our having  a) one body, Spirit, and hope and  b) one Lord, faith, and baptism and c) one God 

This leaves a lot of room for unity in diversity.

Bibliography

1. How Diversity Trumped Equity—and May Kill Affirmative Action. Color Lines. [Online] Oct 10, 2012. [Cited: Jan 15, 2013.] http://colorlines.com/archives/2012/10/how_diversity_trumped_equity--and_may_kill_affirmative_action.html.

2. Herring, Cedric. Does Diversity Pay?: Race, Gender, and the Business Case for Diversity. American Sociological Review. [Online] Dec 2012. [Cited: JaN 15, 2013.] http://asr.sagepub.com/content/74/2/208.short.

3. Arndt, W., Danker, F.W, and Bauer, W. A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Christian Literature. Chicago : University of Chicago Press, 2000.