THE CONFUSING BODY OF CHRIST
I raised a lot of questions last month regarding theology, nature, and the purpose of the Church. This month I would like to continue along theoretical notions of this Church perspective. Examining the Christian Faith is at the heart of where we are if we are going to get a clear picture of tradition and scripture.
"Christianity started out in Palestine as a fellowship; it moved to Greece and became a philosophy; it moved to Italy and became an institution; it moved to Europe and became a culture; it came to America and became an enterprise." Sam Pascoe, American scholar.
Christianity as we know it today is so confusing that one wonders when we will sort it all out. Let's begin with a basic understanding of what the Christian faith is. It is simply to be Christ-like. To be like Christ in our thinking, behavior, and communication is the mark of a true Christian. One can only become a Christian through faith in Jesus Christ and can only maintain that faith through love generated by the Holy Spirit.
Now let's confuse the issue by stating that the Christian church world is divided geographically into the eastern and western church world. This split geographically is over what is the historical, orthodox teaching of the Church. Greek (eastern) verses Italian (western) influences in culture, doctrine and worship trace both of their practices back to the early Apostles.
Let's take this a step further by defining the church today into three diverse theological terms. We are Catholic, Orthodox, or Protestant Christians. Catholic Christians, (un-like "families" or "communions" of Churches that see themselves as distinct Churches), are the Church of those who are in full communion with the Pope considers itself a single Church, not a federation of Churches. Protestant Churches on the other hand see themselves as independent denominations (about 40,000 at last count) of churches. Each church or groups of churches are independent and controlled by various bishops, trustees, members, or pastors of their particular flavor. Orthodox Christians have a Greek influence and a historical connection to its' more Jewish roots.
Dare we go on? Although we have the Bible now and many Protestant faiths base their doctrine upon Scripture alone, by the close of the 1st century, when the last Apostle died, the New Testament as we know it did not yet exist. There were a number of Epistles and Gospel accounts circulating around the community of faith (who called themselves Christians,) but not all of them were recognized as inspired. All were written by 125 AD, and recognized as inspired by 200 AD. The complete canon (Old and New Testaments) was listed by the Councils of Hippo (393 AD) and Carthage (397 AD). In addition, documents of the Early Church demonstrate that the Church Fathers all believed in the primacy of a one universal church. According to the scriptures, the apostles were given the necessary authority to train teachers and appoint elders or pastors to spread the faith.
The lack of commitment to biblical authority; and the lack of spiritual discernment; have lead to a tragic drifting of traditional, Biblical, Christian development of Spirit manifestations to ritual practices that have in the past crippled the church.
The shift in the last few decades in the church has been from Spirit manifestation to spiritual authority. We have been quarreling over who is in charge and who is legitimate for so long, we have forgotten the source. Jesus stated, If you don't believe my words... believe me for the miracles you see (see John 10:37-39). The issue is not what we call ourselves, but how we prove ourselves. While some are going after titles, popularity, fame, and wealth, the Holy Spirit is proving His presence through the manifestation of spiritual gifts with miraculous signs and wonders. While we disagree about gender, racial, and cultural qualifications, the Lord is building the supernatural body of Christ through power, not status.
Look at Paul's appeal in I Corinthians 1:10-13: I beg you, brothers and sisters,by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that all of you agree with each other and not be split into groups. I beg that you be completely joined together by having the same kind of thinking and the same purpose. My brothers and sisters, some people from Chloe's family have told me quite plainly that there are quarrels among you. This is what I mean: One of you says, "I follow Paul"; another says, "I follow Apollos"; another says, "I follow Peter"; and another says, "I follow Christ." Christ has been divided up into different groups! Did Paul die on the cross for you? No! Were you baptized in the name of Paul? (New Century Version)
Paul's cry for spiritual unity is one that is heard on deaf ears today. While we brag on our favorite preachers; sit in the most comfortable churches; debate over the greatest singers; and campaign for the most members.
So the real issue is if we don't have a confusing Christ, then we should not have a confusing church?. If Christ (the Head) is not divided, why should His body be (see Eph. 4:13-16)?
