Jesus Prayed We'd Be...
Excuse me while I rant a bit this morning. You've been warned.
I will get back to my storytelling tomorrow, but yesterday I saw something that I have to comment on.
First of all, some context. Over the past few years, I've seen some hopeful signs that more Christians than ever seem to be ready and willing to pursue peace between each other. You know, to answer Jesus' prayer that we would be one (John 17:21-22). To get along rather than fight with each other. We will always have differences. As long as we are thinking people, there will be differences between Christians. There are even differences between Christians who consider themselves in the same "camp." But those differences shouldn't destroy our shared loyalty to Jesus Christ. He is the one who unites us.
Or should.
One of the sweetest experiences of my life was several years ago in an ecumenical pastor's group that met weekly for prayer and fellowship. Only a couple of us were from the same denomination. We had every viewpoint in that group from very liberal to very fundamentalist (and everything in between). We didn't always agree, but we shared one thing in common: Jesus. We loved one another, we prayed for one another, and we even had cookouts together. We were together when the planes hit the World Trade Center on 9/11...and we prayed. And we had this crazy thing we did—if someone came to our church and felt like it wasn't a good fit for them, we helped them find another church where they would fit better. We helped and prayed for each church to grow—because that would help God's kingdom grow. With no offense to my United Methodist brothers and sisters, there was more unity in that group than I've ever found in any denominational gathering.
Because we were united around Jesus.
I've always held onto that experience as "the way it should be." And, as I said, I've begun to see hopeful signs that the Holy Spirit is doing a work among churches in that vein.
Then, I came across this. A book, written by a pastor (whom I don't know), that listed 50 modern heresies. And I learned that I am a heretic on many levels. For one, I am a Methodist/Wesleyan, which automatically puts me on the list. The only true Christians are those who follow John Calvin's teachings. I also practice infant baptism, another heresy. We have bishops in our denomination...another one. And on and on the list goes. I apparently have no hope whatsoever. Perhaps I should invest in some fireproof underwear considering where this pastor believes people like me are going.
Now, to be fair, I haven't read the book. The title and list were enough to put me off, and after reading the pastor's website, I realize he really does believe these things are serious, life-robbing errors. The only way to see the Scriptures is his way. But where does Jesus' prayer factor into his theology? That we would be...one...
The whole thing reminded me of when I lived in another community and a local church pastor preached a series of sermons that I titled "What's Wrong With Every Other Church in Town." Every week, he proceeded to "take down" one of the other churches in town, showing how we all were wrong.
I believe Jesus' heart breaks, because his prayer was that we would be one....
So, the rant ends here. Now I'm going back to seeking to work with others, despite our differences, and focus on our unity in Jesus. Because that's what I believe he calls us to do. He even chastised his disciples once for stopping someone who was working in Jesus' name but was not part of their group. "If they're not working against us," Jesus said, "they're with us" (Mark 9:38-40). Shouldn't we have the same attitude as Jesus?
And I know I'm a "heretical Wesleyan," but let me close with some words from John Wesley: "If your heart is as my heart, if you love God and all mankind, I ask no more: 'give me your hand.'" (From the sermon, "A Catholic Spirit." You can read a modernized language version of Wesley's sermon here.)
I will get back to my storytelling tomorrow, but yesterday I saw something that I have to comment on.
First of all, some context. Over the past few years, I've seen some hopeful signs that more Christians than ever seem to be ready and willing to pursue peace between each other. You know, to answer Jesus' prayer that we would be one (John 17:21-22). To get along rather than fight with each other. We will always have differences. As long as we are thinking people, there will be differences between Christians. There are even differences between Christians who consider themselves in the same "camp." But those differences shouldn't destroy our shared loyalty to Jesus Christ. He is the one who unites us.
Or should.
One of the sweetest experiences of my life was several years ago in an ecumenical pastor's group that met weekly for prayer and fellowship. Only a couple of us were from the same denomination. We had every viewpoint in that group from very liberal to very fundamentalist (and everything in between). We didn't always agree, but we shared one thing in common: Jesus. We loved one another, we prayed for one another, and we even had cookouts together. We were together when the planes hit the World Trade Center on 9/11...and we prayed. And we had this crazy thing we did—if someone came to our church and felt like it wasn't a good fit for them, we helped them find another church where they would fit better. We helped and prayed for each church to grow—because that would help God's kingdom grow. With no offense to my United Methodist brothers and sisters, there was more unity in that group than I've ever found in any denominational gathering.
Because we were united around Jesus.
I've always held onto that experience as "the way it should be." And, as I said, I've begun to see hopeful signs that the Holy Spirit is doing a work among churches in that vein.
Then, I came across this. A book, written by a pastor (whom I don't know), that listed 50 modern heresies. And I learned that I am a heretic on many levels. For one, I am a Methodist/Wesleyan, which automatically puts me on the list. The only true Christians are those who follow John Calvin's teachings. I also practice infant baptism, another heresy. We have bishops in our denomination...another one. And on and on the list goes. I apparently have no hope whatsoever. Perhaps I should invest in some fireproof underwear considering where this pastor believes people like me are going.
Now, to be fair, I haven't read the book. The title and list were enough to put me off, and after reading the pastor's website, I realize he really does believe these things are serious, life-robbing errors. The only way to see the Scriptures is his way. But where does Jesus' prayer factor into his theology? That we would be...one...
The whole thing reminded me of when I lived in another community and a local church pastor preached a series of sermons that I titled "What's Wrong With Every Other Church in Town." Every week, he proceeded to "take down" one of the other churches in town, showing how we all were wrong.
I believe Jesus' heart breaks, because his prayer was that we would be one....
So, the rant ends here. Now I'm going back to seeking to work with others, despite our differences, and focus on our unity in Jesus. Because that's what I believe he calls us to do. He even chastised his disciples once for stopping someone who was working in Jesus' name but was not part of their group. "If they're not working against us," Jesus said, "they're with us" (Mark 9:38-40). Shouldn't we have the same attitude as Jesus?
And I know I'm a "heretical Wesleyan," but let me close with some words from John Wesley: "If your heart is as my heart, if you love God and all mankind, I ask no more: 'give me your hand.'" (From the sermon, "A Catholic Spirit." You can read a modernized language version of Wesley's sermon here.)
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