TUESDAY, MARCH 30, 2021 - WHY CAN’T WE GET ALONG?

 MARCH 30, 2021 - WHY CAN’T WE GET ALONG?

I’m doing some Holy Week reflections.  

So, why can’t we get along - and especially - why can’t Christians get along?  

So, the Gospel of John 17:21 “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”

This is what is sometimes called the “High Priestly Prayer” of Jesus - and Jesus, (who Christians believe is the second person of the Trinity) prays that “ALL OF THEM MAY BE ONE”.

Sure - great idea - let’s hug and sing Kumbaya, or maybe “They’ll know we are Christians by our love”!!  WOW - Karen - I think you’ve hit about it!!!  We can be one!!!

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I’ve been around Judeo-Christianity all my life.  At birth, and until I married at age 26, I was a Methodist - or, more exactly - a United Methodist.  About 1970, the Methodist Church in the United States merged with the Evangelical United Brethren.  I (we) married in a Presbyterian Church - and were active in that denomination for five years.  (I even became an “elder”).  Then to a non-denominational Pentecostal Church for two years.  Then Four Square Gospel.  Then a North American Baptist Church, then the Catholic Church.  Along the way, I have attended services in Lutheran, Episcopal, Nazarene, Full Gospel, Evangelical Free, large mega-churches, and fellowships with believers in many Christian-related churches.   I have not been to Orthodox congregations. 

There are so many similarities between all the Christian denominations.  Some (or most) share a common statement of faith - a creed - Nicene or Apostles Creed - some with minor word changes.  All have baptism - although some stress “believer” baptism where the person chooses for him or herself (so, frequently after age 10 or so).  Some also expect full immersion in baptism, and others allow for sprinkling (especially) of babies.  

All have some form of communion - some have open communion and in others, it is closed (that is, you need to be a member of that denomination - or an associated denomination to receive communion).  Some have communion at every service and others less frequently - such as once a month.  Some have wine and some have grape juice.  In some through a consecration have the wine changed into the Blood of Jesus and in others, it is only a symbolic communion.

The expressions of worship can vary - from hymnals to PowerPoint slides   Some have choirs some don’t; some have organs, some have guitars and drum sets.  

There are, of course, differences.  Some have female clergy and some don’t.  Some are open and accepting of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders, and others.  And, some have a strong, firm, and precise line that separates the LGBTQ+ from their services.  

Some differences are in highlighting certain scriptures.  Some take John 3:3 “You must be born again” as a foundation; some take John 6 where Jesus says “My flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink”.  

Some denominations have additional books - the deuterocanonical - which some don’t recognize.  As I understand that issue, these books were written in Greek, not the traditional Hebrew, and are somehow considered appropriate for some denominations and not even looked at in others.  My take on that is some churches might read Chuck Swindall or others as a form of worship and these deuterocanonical books are definitely faith-based books.  (All are in the Old Testament - if that makes any difference).

Some focus on only a few verses of scripture in a Sunday service, while others frequently have four readings - an Old Testament Reading, a Psalm, a New Testament Reading, and a Gospel reading.  Some groups of churches have a common lectionary - when across five or six denominational boundaries the same readings will be used on the same days.  (By that, the readings in a Lutheran Church for Pentecost, and the reading in an Episcopal Church will also be the same.

Let me draw an analogy - I like certain types of classical music.  So somebody might think I like Hayden or Mozart - but generally, I don’t.  (They don’t have tuba parts!!!).  Some people like rap and hip hop music; some like contemporary Christian Music.  Does that mean a Christian believer who likes hip hop and me who likes more traditional hymns have nothing in common?  Not so!!

Let me share two more scriptures to finish today:

Psalm 133:1 says “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!”

1 Corinthians 1:10 “ I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought. My brothers and sisters, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you.”

And, while all of us call ourselves “Christians” or Christ-followers - we are really only humans - frail, finite, fragile Christians.  We can let our egos get hurt.  We looked recently at favoritism - and we fall into that issue.  If I showed up at my particular church in cut-off jeans, dirty, smelly, and nasty, I wouldn’t fit in.  At other churches, that is the general audience (like Salvation Army).  Am I to say worship lead by a rock band is not valid and the only acceptable worship is with hymnals and piano (or organ)?   Heaven Forbid!!!

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While I wrote this about what I know (and there is a lot I don’t know).  I talk of the Judeo-Christian orientation and know that my Jewish friends have liberal, conservative, orthodox, Hassidic, and other forms of their faith.  I know a Missouri Synod Lutheran who thinks the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is all wrong.  

I am going to say we are humans - not God.  I can’t look at your heart or your head - but God can.  God is infinite, and I”m not.  And, I like to judge - but I am trying really hard NOT to judge!!!

Maybe we just need to say “LOVE WINS”  - because ultimately it is love that does win!!!

HUGS!!

Karen