Ecumenism & Unity (A Draft…)
I have heard it suggested that “those liberals” in the RCA have “made an idol out of unity” (i.e. giving unity priority over doctrinal purity). I think this arises out of misunderstanding of what unity and ecumenism are (and are not). Specifically, it ignores the fact that unity is an ontological reality for those of us in communion with Christ and (through Christ) with one another. Ecumenism is the work of fostering reconciliation within that God-given and God-expected reality.
The following seeks to explain that a little further. I would appreciate your reflections.
My preaching and teaching, over the past year or two, has often used two words that many people find confusing: Ecumenical and Unity. On one hand, they are simple words, on the other they are difficult concepts that are prone to misunderstanding. The next paragraphs seek to explain what they are (and are not) more fully.
Ecumenical
The word “ecumenical” and it’s relatives (ecumenism, ecumenically, etc.) refers to the desire for unity and cooperation between various groups within Christianity. It does not refer to inter-faith relations (i.e. cooperation between Muslims, Jews and Christians) although it is often mis-used that way.
The ecumenical movement is a world-wide attempt at cooperation between Christians from a variety of denominational (and non-denominational) backgrounds. It is sometimes formal (as seen in the RCA’s Formula of Agreement with the Presbyterian Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church, and United Church of Christ) and sometimes informal, as with the Ministerial Association in Allegan. Either way, it reflects a desire of Christians, from a variety of traditions, to gather together in an attempt to foster communication, cooperation and a common understanding of ministry.
The goal of being ecumenical is to recognize other Christians as brothers and sisters in Christ and embrace them as co-workers within God’s Kingdom and fellow sheep within Christ’s flock. This is what we’re referring to when we confess a belief in “one, holy, catholic church” at the end of the Apostles’ Creed.
When I talk about being ecumenical, I am referring to the idea that we (as Reformed Christians in Dunningville, Michigan) are brothers and sisters to Pentecostal Christians in Zimbabwe, Coptic Christians in Ethiopia, Roman Catholic Christians in Rome, and Baptist Christians in Allegan (among others!) The fact that we differ on aspects of doctrine and practice is secondary to the fact that we are all God’s children redeemed through the ministry, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ.
Does that mean that our differences are unimportant? No, not at all! Our differences are very important, but they are of secondary importance to the unity we have in and through Christ. When Paul writes about the “body of Christ,” he’s not referring to individual Christians, individual congregations or even individual denominations; he’s writing about the world-wide church. Dunningville is not the “body of Christ” (we are a part of Christ’s body), neither is the Reformed Church (we are parts of Christ’s body).
Being ecumenical is understanding the idea that our common identity as Christians is more important than our individual and denominational differences.
Unity
Unity, within the world-wide Church, is the primary goal of the ecumenical movement. It was of utmost importance to Jesus (John 17:20-26) and yet is ignored by many of his followers. This discrepancy between Jesus’ teaching and the church’s behavior results from a variety of realities (some sinful, some not), the most important of which is a misunderstanding of what “unity” really is and what it is not.
Unity is the recognition that we (as Christians) are united in one Christ, by one Spirit, to the glory of one God. Unity among believers, as within the holy Trinity, is misunderstood whenever our oneness is sacrificed for sake of uniqueness or whenever distinction is denied for the sake of sameness.
Just as importantly, unity is not the lack of difference, nor does it imply mutual affirmation of everything the other believes. There can be true unity between individuals, congregations and denominations despite immense differences and severe concerns regarding the other’s position on any number of doctrines or practices.
Scripturally, it is difficult to recognize this, until one notices that unity always arises out of communion with and in Christ. Unity does not cause such communion (although lack of unity can certainly be destructive to the church). Oneness of thought and mission in the church develops out of oneness in Christ (Spirit, Baptism, etc.) not the other way around.
So What?
The only appropriate response to this is to embrace one another as the brothers and sisters we already are through the Holy Spirit and in Christ, while seeking to foster health in that already established reality (i.e. ecumenism!)
Differences of import, can be addressed in a healthy fashion in communion (it is our responsibility to follow Christ in ministry and faith) rather than as prerequisites to communion (it is not our prerogative to determine those whom Christ chooses.)
Grace and Peace,
`tim
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