What Are the Real Dangers of Divisions within the Church?
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“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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” (John 17:20-21).
Maybe you’ve heard this one.
Once I saw this guy on a bridge about to jump. I said, ‘Don’t do it!’ He said, ‘Nobody loves me.’
I said, ‘God loves you. Do you believe in God?’ He said, ‘Yes.’
I said, ‘Are you a Christian or a Jew?’ He said, ‘A Christian.’
I said, ‘Me, too! Protestant or Catholic?’ He said, ‘Protestant.’
I said, ‘Me, too! What franchise?’ He said, ‘Baptist.’
I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Baptist or Southern Baptist?’ He said, ‘Northern Baptist.’
I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist or Northern Liberal Baptist?’ He said, ‘Northern Conservative Baptist.’
I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region, or Northern Conservative Baptist Eastern Region?’ He said, ‘Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region.’
I said, ‘Me, too! Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1879, or Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912?’ He said, ‘Northern Conservative Baptist Great Lakes Region Council of 1912.’
I said, ‘Die, heretic!’ And I pushed him over.
While this story might elicit a slight smile – maybe even a chuckle if you’re Baptist - the problem is that the funniest jokes seem to be those that are closest to the truth. With the slight smile might also come a glimmer of pain, as well.
But the division that we see within the Church (capital C) is also observed by the non-believers outside the church, who often then weaponize it. They use it as a tool to throw shade and doubt about Christianity – claiming that not even Christians can agree on what the Bible teaches. I know this because I have had those very conversations with those who call themselves atheists.
Given his prayer in John 17, just before his crucifixion and death, obviously Christian unity is of utmost importance to Jesus. He went so far as to explain why – “Then the world will know that you sent me…” Dis-unity – division – in the Church has the polar-opposite impact, in more ways than one.
Jesus prayed for His church – HIS church, not ours – to be united (John 17:20-21). In fact, the biblical calls to unity are far too numerous to even list here. Yet we, in our absolute humanness, arrogance, pride and ego, have chosen a different path. Because we believe we know what is right better than “that other church over there.”
“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — I in them and you in me — so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:22-23).
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That Which Divides Us
“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, ‘I follow Paul,’ and another, ‘I follow Apollos,’ are you not mere human beings? (1 Corinthians 3:3-4).
It has been reported that there exists anywhere between 30,000 and up to 45,000 Christian denominations globally. Some estimated two billion or more people “identify” as Christian, making it the largest “religion” in the world, but of course many of those are non-practicing. Protestantism alone breaks down into an ungodly (meant literally) number of denominations and disagreements.
Because of the obvious division between churches, John 17:20-24 has sometimes been called the “great unanswered prayer.” Of course, this characterization is not entirely accurate as all believers are indeed one – united with Christ and with each other. However, what is often missed is the practical application, the physical relevance and impact our division causes.
What is it, then, that causes so much division within the Church? Where do we see – better yet, feel – the divide? Paul recognized such division as early as the church in Corinth. “I follow Paul.” “I follow Apollos.” Are we divided by our faith in Jesus Christ? If we call ourselves Christian, this isn’t it for sure. What then?
Denominational vs Denominational
After the Reformation, the church seemed to take a sharp turn. Rather than a single church faith, the doors were opened to differing opinions. The Catholic Church was no longer the “one, true church.” While profoundly necessary in so many ways, that split has led to a great many differences among different denominations. In some there may be only slight or minor differences. The Episcopal church was often called “Catholic light.”
Yet, those distinctions, however small, often caused conflict between the various denominations – and do to this day. Far too often, what divides us are the things that Paul called “disputable matters” (Romans 14:1). That said, on a personal note, I once attended a service at a particular division of a particular denomination. On the bulletin handed out – and then announced prior to communion – “if you are a member of …..then you are welcomed to receive communion. Otherwise, keep your butt seated.” (Okay, that last part was my addition.)
Denominational vs Non-Denominational
Then sometime in the 18th century, at least in North America, non-denominational churches arose. The movement saw expansion in the 20th century during the “Jesus movement” era – popularized by updated Christian music, freedom of worship styles, lack of “rules and rites and rituals” – all perhaps fueled by a growing pop culture.
And, as could be expected, the denominations looked down on the non-denominations as heretical and disrespectful of the history of the Church. Yet, the movement grew rapidly and now dominates the Christian landscape.
Protectionism
Today, it seems that each church is far too interested in guarding itself from church poachers. They must shield themselves against other churches who spend more time trying to attract other Christians than they do trying to spread the Gospel to a lost and broken world. Their benevolence often extends only to their own members.
In other words, the shepherds are too busy defending their own flock. Their sermons soften so as not to risk offending people and chasing them off. Then, in the case of too many denominations, they have grown much smaller and, when the shrinking continues, they decide their beliefs must change to “keep up with the times” and thereby appeal to a larger audience.
The division – a field day for the evil one who must certainly enjoy the spiritual warfare – weakens the gospel message. No – I take that back. The gospel message cannot be weakened, but those who deliver it can lose credibility, and those who need to hear it can be deafened. In so many ways, the division we experience has a negatively charged impact on the gospel of Christ.
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Consequences of Division
“The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I don’t need you!’” (1 Corinthians 12:21).
We are living in an era where atheism, apathy towards church, or even a simple lack of knowledge of God, is growing rapidly. The number of people who attend church is rapidly diminishing. Given the division, the challenge for many of those is – even if they did decide to attend church, which one should they choose? Is the Church creating an attraction to all that a relationship with Jesus Christ offers?
Open your eyes in most communities, and one finds that each individual church is known for its individual contributions – if they, in fact, do contribute – rather than the Christian community, as a whole. The challenge is, so many of those churches choose to not work in concert together with others, for any multitude of reasons, whether they be denominational or protecting their own flock and fear of losing attendance, or both. “Butts in the seats” becomes a fear that keeps them from doing more. So, the community in need suffers.
Christians, however, are called to form local communities within a community in order that no one need to suffer – or rejoice – alone.
“If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26).
The impact of this lack of unity means the community is not being served as it could be or as it should be. The love of Jesus Christ in the gospel is not being felt by those who are hurting and need it the most. Those hurting in the community are not receiving the help and support they need, and the Church is hurt by the lack of love for our neighbors, expressed through our service.
We can only imagine the impact on our neighbors if the entire Christian community in the area banded together to provide love and support.
Indeed, Christians come from many different walks of life, many different countries and cultures – but those are human traits we visualize, not the Lord. Paul informed the Galatians that we are all one in Christ:
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:26-28).
Without doubt, we are each different, and we ought to celebrate those differences. But we are to come together in Christ – come together for his glory. We are to serve the world as one, working together. Even within our local communities, we must serve that community together in the name of Jesus Christ. Each and every local church will, of course, have its particular strengths and weaknesses. Each and every local church is of a different size and make-up – but that is what makes up the beauty of the local church community.
Paul made this lesson abundantly clear in his first letter to the church at Corinth. In 1 Corinthians 12:11-27, Paul described how the Church is “just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body” (v. 12-13). This is the Church as a whole, but also the local churches within a community. We are each a part of a single body – the body of Christ. That body has many members, each with a contribution to make. Each with specialized work or skill that others may not possess, with all parts united in Christ as one body created to work together.
Imagine how much more powerful our message would be if this is what Christianity was known for?
“Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:7).
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That Which Unites Us
As was said, Christians all over the globe come from many different backgrounds and many different cultures. We are not all expected to worship in the very same manner. There will be differences in how we view different aspects of worship. Even in the same community, local churches may undertake different approaches.
There is a Latin expression – with mixed explanations as to original source:
In necessariis unitas, in dubiis libertas, in omnibus caritas.
Unity in necessaries; liberty in doubts; charity in all.
Love that. Charity in all. We are to treat each other with love.
Please let us remember – when we do not come together in unity, then we fail to glorify God with one voice and one mind. As a Church, we fail to live up to one of Jesus’ commands – to love others as we love ourselves. While as individuals, we can and should live out that command in our own lives, we also ought to strive to do so as His Church so that Christianity becomes a badge of faith in this fallen and broken world.
And please understand – yes, Christian unity is a virtue for which we all should strive. However, we cannot pursue unity simply for the sake of unity. It is Jesus Christ and His truth in whom we must find that unity. Scripturally, we must separate those who profess to be Christ-followers, yet live in or accept persistent, unrepentant sin. We must also be able and willing to recognize those who teach false doctrine.
Yes, we must each have our core beliefs. Our “die for” beliefs. The “necessaries.” Beyond that, the issues ought to be able to be included in the “disputable” category. With charity in all.
We each – individually as well as corporately – must know and trust in Him. That which unites us is far greater than that which divides us. When Christians are united in Christ, the world will recognize that and become aware that Jesus was indeed sent by the Father, and Jesus loves His disciples. His Church.
How different could our world and our communities look if we, as one Church in Christ, committed to helping the hurting around us? One local church cannot do it all. One cannot do everything. But together, who knows what we can accomplish?
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 15:5-6).
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Greg doesn’t pretend to be a pastor, a theologian, or a Bible expert, but offers the perspective of an everyday guy on the same journey as everyone else – in pursuit of truth.
Greg can be reached by email or on Facebook @ Greg Grandchamp - Author.