Today, I find myself very discouraged about the divisions in the Church. We spend so much effort identifying and clarifying our differences, defending and attacking this belief or that. I guess it's rather niave of me to say, "Can't we just all get along?" But I wish we could. I wish it didn't bother me so much to witness the ridicule and bitiness we Christians are capable of, but it does. It's so much worse when the blow comes from someone you consider a brother. I'm not portraying myself as a victim here, I know I can get caught up in it, too. I'm just weary of it. The Church needs to be a safe place to go, a shelter from the turmoil outside. It's not just another battleground, and we forget that too often.
It depresses me.
Posted by Shannon at October 7, 2003 02:39 PM | TrackBackI think as long as we adhere to the teachings of men rather than the teachings of Jesus Christ there will be divisions. You and I have disagreed over the teachings of a man, John Calvin. You adhere to what he taught; I don't. We don't disagree, though, over what Jesus Christ taught.
Posted by: Joey Wolfe at October 7, 2003 10:14 PMI've thought the same thing many, many times. The only solution I can offer is to be faithful not to react towards your brothers and sisters in the manner that you see those you are referring to react. It's easy to say, I have to remind myself when I hear a Baptist or Assembly of God brother make some statement that gets under my craw. That's when you ask yourself not what would Jesus do, but what did Jesus do.
Posted by: SonofThunder at October 8, 2003 10:12 AMIt seems to me that clarifying beliefs is a healthy thing. We should be pursuing truth vigorously and that always involves making distinctions. The truth is by definition narrow and the process of learning eliminates error. Perhaps the problem is motivation. If we could help others learn out of passion for God's glory and out of love for others, the conflict would be healthy and productive. I'm glad Augustine opposed Pelagius and Athanasius vigorously opposed Arius.
Posted by: LJL at October 8, 2003 05:26 PMIt's not that I want a generalized, water-downed, nondenominational church. I just wish there was more charity between Christians, both within a denomination, and with other denominations. I know I am guilty occasionally of making things personal and getting too heated when trying to prove a point. I guess it's more about a lack of love than it is the distinctions...
Posted by: Shannon at October 8, 2003 05:54 PM