Unity

I've been reading a book titled, "Velvet Elvis," by Rob Bell, which has been quite the "hot botton" in many churches. I haven't done full research, but I believe it's because Rob Bell is into the Emergent Church. I'm not here to get into what the movement is, but to discuss differences in the church. Sometimes I wonder if as a Christian, I'm battling other Christians more than I am battling the "world." I feel like no matter where I go or what I do, somebody strongly disagrees. I know I won't be able to get away from that. I also know that people care about me, and I'm thankful to have such a support group in my life of people who care.
My question is, are we supporting people where support is necessary or are we losing focus? It's interesting to me that before I joined the Catholic church, I heard nothing but terrible things about the Catholic church. Many believe the that it's heresy. I'm not even going to deny the fact there are some things going on that aren't looking so good, however can't we say that about just about anything? Can't we say that about the Pentecostal church, the Baptist church, Presbyterian, Methodist, Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran, Emergent, and the list goes on? It wasn't until I became a part of the Catholic church that I learned that regardless of issues in the doctrine, there are many faithful servants of Christ. Catholic believers have something to offer to this world. Do I believe all that they believe, no, but God is present there, and truth is still spoken.
Rob Bell talks about truth in his book. God is EVERYWHERE. Francis of Assisi was a follower of such truth. He saw God in nature. And why wouldn't this be so? God created the universe and everything in it. The only logical conclusion would be that God is present in all that he creates, right? Let me clarify what I mean here. This is not to say that you can bow down to a tree and worship it as God. It just simply means that you can find the handiwork of God in nature. God is present everywhere, not necessarily in things, but his presence is all around us. Sometimes we can be so captured by nature that it leads us to our creator.
Now, does that mean we can only find truth in the things that are labeled "Christian?" Does that mean that all things labeled "Christian" are true? C.S. Lewis talks about in "Mere Christianity" how we are all born with some type of moral code. Maybe not everyone connects it to God, but everyone has some sort of standard they live by, some concept of right and wrong. There is a facet of truth in everyone. Unfortunately, not everyone draws the right conclusion as to where that truth came from. I was talking to my aunt last week and she was saying how you can sometimes find some sort of truth when watching a rated R movie. Other religions have some facet of truth to it, not enough to earn them salvation, but there's truth. What about the peace, joy, and happiness of the Buddhists?
Anyways, my point. Why are we arguing over what writer is right or wrong or what pastor is right or wrong. Yes, we need to discern what's true and what's false, but that's just it. We take these things and we wrestle with it, we pray, we read Scripture, and have faith that God will show us truth. Rob Bell puts it just right in the summary of his book, "Test it. Probe it. Do that to this book. Don't swallow it uncritically. Think about it. Wrestle with it. Just because I'm a Christian and I'm trying to articulate a Christian worldview doesn't mean I've got it nailed. I'm contributing to the discussion. God has spoken, and the rest is commentary, right?"
Sometimes I think we get too hung up on the little things. I believe there are the foundational truths that we, as Christians, need to stand firm on, but there are a lot of things we don't know. If we knew it all, then God wouldn't be necessary. The Scriptures are so simple, yet so complex. I think we need to remain open to a certain degree and maybe, just maybe, there is another way than the way we knew all our lives. I was reading a book by Jim Cymbala and he talks about how many churches are now majoring on the minors and minoring in the majors. Why is this?
I think when we spend too much time arguing, we lose time doing the ministry God called us to. I'm just as guilty. I'm so concerned about proving my point, rather than just sharing my opinion and letting it go. God called us to live in community and to live in fellowship with one another. We are called to love and to serve. How can we do that when we are always at odds with each other? There's a time to be firm and stand for what we believe. There's also a time for accountability for our actions. There's a time to be taught and a time to teach. There's also a time to show grace and mercy.
I pray that we, as a church, could come together and put the minor differences aside. We are all learning and none of us has it nailed. For many who are skeptical about the emergent church, I want you to know that my church's foundation is the Nicene Creed, which indeed, is Scriptural. To me, that's a good foundation to begin with. From there on out, it's a matter of growing and maturing in our relationship with Christ. My church teaches love, community, fellowship, leadership, and servanthood. Isn't that what it really comes down to?
I enjoy a good debate any day, and I think we should continue coming together and discussing the things we are learning from Scriptures and in our walks. There is a big God out there, doing more than we can ever hope for, imagine, or dream. I'lm learning to enjoy some of the mystery of God. In that, I find comfort and security, knowing that my God is larger than life. I love all of you who agree and disagree. But for you believers, join me in prayer and let us work together toward the goal which God has bestowed upon us. Two are better than one.