This has been an age old conundrum facing the disciples of Jesus but I would think that the problem is even more protracted now in the Twenty-First Century. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of different Christian denominations around the world. Some are large groupings such as the Roman Catholic Church which is said to have a following of over a billion, the Orthodox Church and the myriad of denominations spawned by the Protestant Reformation. Not all sectors of the Christian world recognize each other as being legitimate expressions of being disciples of Christ. Muddying the waters are cults such as the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses who purport to be Christian but whose theologies do not align with foundational historical/Biblical Christian beliefs. Consider that some churches with long standing traditions have also shifted in their theologies or practices away from historic/Biblical teachings. This only creates confusion as to who the true followers of Christ are.
On one hand there is a concern for preserving the purity of the faith. It is important to know what the absolute essentials of Christian faith are that distinguish it from other religions and philosophies. It allows us the ability to know what is truly reflective of Christ’s people and what is not. On the other hand there is the understanding of the breadth of God’s people – that there isn’t a cookie cutter approach to faith but a dynamic diversity of race, culture, experience and personality. We need to know where we are granted liberty to be different from one another so we might appreciate the breadth of God’s grace and creativity. We live within the dynamic tension of unity and diversity all at once. Mature communities should strive to know how to navigate this balance under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
All this is easier said than done. If I were to now catalogue the myriad of diversities within the Church, this article would have no end. So I will provide a groundwork for the identification of a Christ-follower.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – Jesus (John 13:35)
This has always been the test of the Christ-follower. Do you love your brother/sister. We aren’t even talking about your enemies at this point. Jesus is addressing his disciples who are a decidedly motley crew which had internal similarities and disparities. The Bible records them arguing with one another as to who was the greatest disciple, which indicates to us that the pride of place in the church is age old! But it is still wrong. Consider then that Jesus not only tells them to love one another but to love their neighbours and even their enemies. These are the ethics of Jesus’ Kingdom but the litmus test of his disciples is not in loving the neighbour or enemy – it is in loving one another.
Now, before we think that the bar has been lowered, consider the following popular truisms: “Familiarity breeds contempt” and “Everyone is normal until you get to know them.” These sayings hint at an aspect of human experience regarding those closest to us. Those closest to us are often taken for granted. Those who are our kin do not receive the niceties of social politeness but the impatience and frustration built up over time. The more you know someone, the more their short-comings become evident. The more of their sin, brokenness and ambiguity will be known to you. It is at this point we are challenged to either continue to care about them or not.
On top of this we have certain expectations on those who are supposed to be familiar to us, who identify with us (and we with them). They represent our identity as much as we represent them. However, when there are values within these identities that do not align are are in direct opposition with each other, that identification comes into question. One possible help to this is to build affinity upon shared alignment in what we mutually see as core essentials. Although we may share certain beliefs such as the deity of Christ or the Trinity, there are still many theological positions that are different. So how are we ever going to find familiarity and shared identity? Most times, it is our self-righteousness that severs the possibility of fraternity. The humility of holding out the possibility we are wrong is the vulnerability required to be intimate.
My belief is that Christian unity will not be achieved through merely pursuing theological alignment on peripheral matters. Instead, Christian unity can be discovered only through affection and devotion. Simply put, it is through our love for God that we find our affinity. Another way to put it is that I am the friend and brother/sister to the person who loves and follows Jesus. That is what a believer shares in common with other Christ followers. This does not mean that theology doesn’t matter – it does. But without a shared affection and trust in Christ, conversation about the nuances of our similarities and differences can’t really go anywhere productive.
One telling passage of Scripture (Mark 9:38-41) describes Jesus’ attitudes towards such similarities and differences:
“Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.”
John in this passage has concerns that there is someone exorcising demons in the name of Jesus who was not a part of their own group. He went as far as to censure the man along with the gang of disciples. Jesus commands him to desist from censuring the man. He goes on to say that the man, doing these things in Jesus’ name was not an antagonist but an ally. He then alludes to the act of kindness, hospitality and friendship of being given a cup of water. If a person does such a thing for you, they are to be rewarded.
Friendship with Christ is evidenced by one thing: Doing the will of God. This passage from John 15:12-15 is worth meditating over:
“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.”
Not everyone is going to treat you like a brother/sister and not everyone should be your sister/brother. That is just the way things are. As far as it is up to you, though, treat everyone with kindness and truthfulness. You will find who your true brother, your true sister is in Christ. We do not have to agree but we are called to love.
(Rev. Dr. Ted Ng – February 2017)