One of my favorite subjects in school was Math! I loved it, the numbers came easy, I used to be in the little math contest in school and actually was allowed to participate in a special program in 7th and 8th grades in which I went to a special school for math and took the SAT for placement in a special program in high school. I did well in Jr. High, but if you look at my testimony, well high school didn’t go to well and I was later removed! Anyway, back in 3rd, 4th grade we learned Common Denominators. The objective was this to find out what a group of numbers had in common. Such as in the picture above you want to find a multiple that you can divide a group of numbers into and the objective is to find the lowest possible number: 2,3,4,6=12!
You probably know by now and by the title that 4th grade math is not my objective in this post. So what is? Let me ask how often do you ask the following questions “what’s your eschatology, what’s your polity, what do you believe about the gifts, what’s your position on baptism, is it a Covenant of Grace or Works (neither LOL), Calvinism? Arminian?, Southern Baptist or Methodist? Emerging or Pentecostalism?
At our Sunday Morning group we have been studying through Corinthians. After reading and rereading the book and attempting to Chart the book (charting is a way to summarize a book, I will attempt to attach something at the bottom) and get a one theme title I came up with”A Peace Treaty of Love”. The protagonist and antagonist of the book of Corinth is division and unity!
There is but one church in all of Corinth or at least this is what many commentators say. So as you read the book all of this is going on “Under One Roof”! The apostolic alignment, the secret knowledge, the dude with his stepmother (some wanted to extend grace others knew there was a problem), there is division on head coverings, division at the Table where unity is the focus, there is division on gifts, there is division on tongues, there is division on silence on women, there is division on the resurrection and there is division on baptism for the dead. To put it simply Paul asks “Is Christ Divided” (which I believe to be a key to the entire epistle).
Chapter 13 is Paul’s resolution. Again remember all of this is happening in one gathering. If this is true, this would make a church split look like a wedding! So what is Paul’s remedy? To show that we are Christ’s body (Chapter 12) which answers the question “Is Christ divided” and without love (Chapter 13) EVERYTHING we do is “worthless” as a matter of fact he says “your are no one”! So we can do a bunch of nothing and do it with all of our energy, we can do it and be labeled successful in this world, you can be invited to conferences, can write hundreds of books, can exposit the text with surgeon like precision but without love you are nothing and what you do profits nothing.
So let me add to that! Schisms/Divisions/Divisiveness (Galatians 5)/Sectarianism all are the opposite of love! So can our energized pursuit of exclusiveness or spiritualcentricity actually be what Paul calls “nothing”?! Absolutely. Let me say this. To look for something to divide on, to find ways where we are different (for the reason to disengage) to have the heart to deal with who Christ has redeemed indifferently to continually have a sectarian all or nothing Christianity is to be outside of the Spirit of God. It is to grieve the Spirit, it is to answer Paul’s question to the Corinths “is Christ divided” with an emphatic yes! Yes, yes Paul we are divided and we are proud of it!
Paul says something that is another key to unity in 1 Corinthians 15 where I want to rest at:
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
Unity is found in the simplicity of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! That He was born, that He died for our sins and that He rose from the dead and upon raising appeared to the disciples and later to Paul. This is our Gospel the one and only Gospel. Those other distinctive, as biblical as you think they may be are contrary to Paul’s Gospel! Yes you heard me correctly. So let me scream it. YOUR DISTINCTIVES ARE CONTRARY TO PAUL’S GOSPEL! Why? Paul’s Gospel unifies because Christ unifies (Col 3, Eph 2, John 17). Christ came that we may be one, our disctintives split us! If disunity comes by them then what we are doing is not of God regardless of how well you can defend it biblically (truth be told we both can come to the same scriptures and be 100% divided on the same text using languages or not).
I am fighting for an Ecumenical hope! Yes, you may be convinced that your little theological club is correct (shoot I do) but if that club becomes exclusive and becomes THE CLUB then what you have done is taking a machete to Christ’s body. You have divided the indivisible Christ! You have pulled the arm of Jesus off and I will let you know that such a division is of Satan not of the Living and Holy God revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ.
I close with this. Christ is not divided because He is indivisable! He is one “there is one Lord, one Faith, one baptism” Ephesians 4 makes this clear! Jesus only made “one new man” Jesus does not endorse any dividing walls! Jesus does not cosign our zeal to divide and to “uphold truth” (don’t go quoting John 14:6). Jesus’ prayer proves this beyond a shadow of doubt “I pray that they are one”. Who are we to counteract Jesus??!! Paul also makes a plea in the Philippian Church in chapter 2 verse one. I leave you with this verse of “one accordness”! Being Ecumenical is the heart of Jesus Christ and divisiveness is of the “Evil one”!
2:1 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.
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Lionel,
Maybe I haven’t read your article properly, but I’m a little confused as to whether you are advocating an LCD or not.
Terminology, particularly between nations such as ours, does have different connotations at times.
I’d like to take the liberty to explain why my imperfect mind is a bit muddy on where you are at.
I have come full circle in my Christian experience, from being rigidly adhered to a particular doctrinal position, to another, almost opposite one, to being a confirmed nonconformist who wants to hold to only one standard (which I thought I always had, but didn’t), the Scriptures, which reveal the Lord Jesus Christ in all His glory, as the Saviour and Ruler of His people.
During the last fifty years, I have observed, and been part of a denomination/churches, which were not, but have now become, what I would call “churches of the lowest common denominator”.
They are ones I would describe as having sold their birthright for a plate of stew. When a farmer floods his field with water from a channel, the water always takes the line of least resistance. It never goes over the difficult places, but runs around. That is the nature of water.
That is the problem I see with churches who try to be attractive, and comfortable to everyone, by avoiding the difficult places of doctrine and theological thinking, to settle for the LCD.
They promote popular values and beliefs into the position of their mainstay. Like the media industry, which generates sales by catering for the LCD, many churches are generating membership by doing the same.
Looking alike and sounding alike, has mistakenly become an Ecumenical goal .
The ecumenism (notice my small “e”) of the Scriptures is not the desire for all to be like peas in a pod, but DOES require a focus on the ONE issue which ought to bind ALL true Christians, the Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work.
I am not a Christian nonconformist for traditional/historical reasons, but because, world wide I see churches, many of them historical, prostituting themselves to large “E” Ecumenism.
Our fellowship is “in Christ”, no matter what our historical stance, and we can hold to that historical stance, and still be Biblically ecumenical, when we don’t elevate our historic position above the Shepherd and Savior of His sheep. But that’s another story.
Hey Aussie,
I am not for some assembly line that makes all christians look alike. Nor am I advocating a Christianity that takes no stances on issues that may be very important to particular believers. What I am advocating is a Christianity that treats all who are the bride of Christ like the bride of Christ! Many today rather look for ways to divide, much like the Corinths who boasted in such schisms than they look for ways to unite. I think this flies in the face of Eph 4 and 1Cor 1 & 12! The glue that holds us together is 1 Cor 15 working in 1Cor 13
Lionel,
Hey mate! With you all the way!
Man, “Math was one of your favorite subjects in school”
I feel sorry for you
By the way, good post!
Yes Sirr. I guess that is why I am in the profession I am in. Thanks for the compliments
)
Lionel,
I think the real issue is to clearly distinguish what is at the core of Christianity,and what are the secondary,less important issues.
I believe the central message of the Gospel is as relates to the message of hope that came with the birth,life,death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.All other matters are of a secondary nature.
However,if we go looking to pick quarrels over minutiae,we certainly will find enouughblogs at the lunatic fringe on the internet who will feed such an attitude.
TUNJI
Brother Lionel
I would like to dwell a bit more on this matter,if you would permit me.
I think there is a need to carefully define what we mean by ecumenism.We cannot by this term possibly mean what the Catholic Church or the World Council of Churches understand it to mean.
You for example find at WCC congresses shamanistic dancing,in an attempt at reaching out to all world religionns.The Vatican on the other hand has a standing Council for inter-faith dialogue,and the Pope has not been beyond worshiping with Moslem leaders.All such things simply and disingenuously pave the way for the emergence of a one faith, anti-Christ religion.
Ecumenism may not also mean that we do not combat false doctrine,like the Bible clearly yells us to do.Such classics of Christian thought as Against Heresies by Iranaeus,would not have been written,if such an attitude prevailed.
I seem to think that your position is that what Christians should stress are the central issues of doctrine,the fundamentals of the faith,that unite us,and not to nit-pickingly look for minutiae in a fashion that divides.There is quite a lot of this quarrelsome,fight-picking attitude,often abusive,on the net.
May God help us as we continue to seek to understand our faith,and live lives worthy of our Saviour.
Tunji,
Check out the verses I provided. We begin there and we end there! For someone to openly embrace Islam and Christianity is like being a Black leader of the KKK! So we start at the Cross and we end at the Ressurection. Anything outside of that wouldn’t be ecuminical it would be contrary to the Gospel. However lets discuss where Paul starts in 1 Corinthians 1.
I quite understand you Lionel.The problem however with words that mean many things to many people is the posssibility of misrepresentation.
There is need for exactitude when deploying such terms.God bless.
Wow…
Definately can feel you in regards to where you’re coming from on the issue. In fact, it’s one of the reasons why I’m apart of the camp I’m into currently.
I still attend the church I grew up in , which is a Traditional Style Church I’ve gone to since I was 12 and that the Lord has greatly used to impact/shape me for His purposes. The main reasons, however, for my still attending are largely due to my work there in Youth Ministry ( http://www.5979.net ) as a Youth Deacon/Youth Worker…and my working in ChildCare as well—and though there’s much I disagree with in the church, I can make peace with it due to how it’s the Gospel of Christ that’s central. When I leave there pernamently, I can have freedom to do things differently as I think is the most Biblically COnsistent…but till then, as long as I’m there, I can roll with some things. And to others at the church, I’ve made clear where I stand…
Thankfully, I’m involved in other fellowships as well….and Currently, the other fellowship I’m moreso associated with/in agreement on is a Messianic Jewish Fellowship called Congregation Mishkan David . From there, I’m also deeply involved with a smaller branch (small group, if one so wishes to call it) known as The Root —–which is a weekly fellowship of Christians in the Anglican tradition that is dedicated to the study of the Jewish or Hebraic Roots and practices of the Early Church..and which is also commited to studying and teaching the contemplative practices of the Church that have enriched the spiritual lives of Christians for centuries and simply sharing the Word/Encouraging others in the Lord. It’s pretty small, but close-knit and all have been blessed by it (And sometimes, it’s hilarious seeing the dominant people in the room are some Black Folks/Brothes whereas the Rabbi isn’t….but he’s cool enough to roll with it since he interacts with people of many kinds since he’s the manager at a local Starbucks store—and his heart is for multi-culturalism/The UNITY found in the Gospel, just as it was for Christ with the Woman at the Well or the Phonecian WOman and a host of others). The Bible Study fellowship and the Church I go to is also a part of a group known as the Convergence Movement —which is a meeting of the 4 Streams of the Church: Liturgical, Evangelical, Spirit-filled, and Hebraic.
Each stream is a historic style that was a part of the Early Church and is now flowing together again in these present days. One can go to Wikipedia to get more information on the issue…but for For more basic info,
Of course, each of those streams have other rivers that branch off from them—and sometimes, those same branches/rivers tie into other streams. In example, the CHarismatic Stream has a myriad of branches–whether Word of Faith, Apostolic/Prophetic and 3RD Wave, Pentecostal, and various other groups. And yet, even with the Charismatic Stream, people forget that even the Charismatic Stream has tied in with other streams…such as those who’re CHARISMATIC Catholics…or those who’re Messianic Jewish and yet learn from/associate with those who’re in the Charismatic movement (while also teaching Charismatics as well about Hebraic Culture and how the gifts would’ve been practiced from a Jewish Perspective).
The same occures with streams such as Emerging/Missional Camps regarding truths learned in their circles that other denominations/streams merge with…or other camps similar to Emerging/Emergent Circles such as movements like the “Radical Orthodoxy” movement (with notable leaders such as James K. A. Smith )—as the Radical Orthodoxy Camps is a post-modern Christian Movement including theologians from a number of church traditions.
It all connects…..and I’ve been reminded more than ever before how most Believers live their entire lives in a particular box (church or denomination) and do not even know that the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) flows from box to box to box and so on. He will not be restrained nor contained within a single box.
In fellowshipping with one of the individuals/rabbis I met who was raised in a Messianic Jewish family and is a former Eastern Orthodox priest and monk, I’ve learned so much…not only in the knowledge he has accumulated… and with the fellowship itself, as I was also impressed seeing the simplicity they had in their hearts for learning/study, as well as knowing the historical roots of things. It has been a blessing seeing the love they have for one another, alongside the deep respect I see for the Scriptures/Graciousness they have in recognizing the good/bad in all movements within Christianity…and more importantly, keeping central the question of the question of “Do I believe all men have worth and Am I Being faithful to love the Lord and to LOVE My NEIGHBOR (Luke 10:25-37, Matthew 25:31-40) alongside Widows/Orphans and Keeping the Main Thing The Main Thing (James 1:27)?”
Additionally, it was a relief seeing in them a heart for accuracy that many others may not have—living in honor of the WORD’s admonition to check every word against the Word of God, accepting what is true, and rejecting what is false—-take the Good, reject the bad (, 1 Thessalonians 5:18-22, Hebrews 5:11-17, Proverbs 14:15, Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 18:13, Proverbs 18:15, Proverbs 18:17 ), and do as the Bereans did with Paul(Acts 17:10-11)…
Prayerfully, people will begin seeking to KEEP THE MAIN THING THE MAIN THING—-WHICH IS CHRIST and the GOSPEL ( Ephesians 4:8 /1 Corinthians 12:10 ).
Many thanks, Brother Lionel, as I’ve often told Rabbi Aaron of the work you do—and it was cool to see that you were not the only one thinking the way you do (And hence, NOT crazy or feeling like you’re Maverick..)…and it has been a refreshment, as many of the things we’ve discussed on the site regarding Biblical Leaders that’re servants/humble in learning from others as much as they teach I was able to find in the fellowship I’m at now……and moreover, it was cool seeing the things you’ve sought to discuss in this posting on “Ecumenical Hope” actually lived out in practice—-thus demonstrating that it CAN be done if people are willing and humble enough. May you find the same, Brah, and continue to be a beacon of light in encouraging others to do the same….
Others worth considering..
Romans 15
5May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
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