On the Scandal of Christian Disunity
One of the great scandals of Christian history has been the increasing divisions between those who claim to be Christian. Beginning in A.D. 1054 with the first major schism, between East and West, on to the Anglican schism and Protestant "Reformation" of the 16th century, and up until today, the degree and number of separations has increased at a seemingly exponential rate. As a result, there are today many thousands of Christian sects. As the gap widens between authentic Catholic teaching and what is taught by this myriad of sects, the memory of a united Christianity has been all but lost, remembered mostly by those familiar with Church history. Even worse, with the advent of fables such as those told in Holy Blood, Holy Grail and The DaVinci Code, the heresies of the Gnostics are being rehabilitated as the "true" orthodox faith, and the Faith of the Church Fathers is painted as oppressive and "patriarchal". The only good thing to appear in this realm in the last century is a new allegiance between Catholics and many Evangelicals, as evinced in the pro-life movement, the popularity of Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ, and the opposition to The DaVinci Code. There is hope that this cooperation will one day bring many into the Church.
In my neighborhood, one can see how truly ridiculous the disunity has become. The banner in the first photo (in case you can't see it) says "The Redeemed Christian Church of God / Dayspring Chapel / (Center of Living Waters)". The fact that aside from the "Christian" appelation, there is no indication of creed or doctrinal belief mentioned in the name of this "church" shows how far from a unified Christianity that many of us are. This "church" is nothing more than a storefront in a strip mall, as shown in the next photo.
Here, in the second photo, is the church that is advertised in the banner above. What would be funny, were it not so sad, is that another even smaller "church" (shown below) is in the same strip mall. This is a church whose name is almost larger than its edifice.
In my neighborhood, one can see how truly ridiculous the disunity has become. The banner in the first photo (in case you can't see it) says "The Redeemed Christian Church of God / Dayspring Chapel / (Center of Living Waters)". The fact that aside from the "Christian" appelation, there is no indication of creed or doctrinal belief mentioned in the name of this "church" shows how far from a unified Christianity that many of us are. This "church" is nothing more than a storefront in a strip mall, as shown in the next photo.
Here, in the second photo, is the church that is advertised in the banner above. What would be funny, were it not so sad, is that another even smaller "church" (shown below) is in the same strip mall. This is a church whose name is almost larger than its edifice.
"...ut unum sint..."
2 Comments:
First of all, there are some good, solid and rational reasons for the varying denominations. Style of worship, preference in missionary support, organizational structure, not to mention theology are some very important factors. The Evangelical Free are identical in worships style and theology to Southern Baptist, but differ slightly in organizational structure, and quite a bit in missionary funding. Not that one is better than the other, but people will differ in which they prefer. To claim Christian worship and organization should be a one-size-fits-all would be short sited.
As for the churches pictured, I imagine the first century churches looked equally "silly" as they struggled to survive and grow. Would you be as judgemental of them as well?
Danny, your argument is very free market, very human. We do vary, after all. And I very much prefer free markets to govern the way people deal with each other.
However, God does not vary. He is what He is, one God, eternal and unchanging. The things we must believe and do in order to receive His grace and salvation likewise are unchanging.
Now there is much liberty within Catholic doctrine and within obedience to God. But there is not so much liberty that we can go down and call it up. God still expects us to obey Him.
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