The normal way debates about Christian unity proceed is along the lines of fairly traditional binary, left and right, models. One side says we must preserve doctrinal fidelity or we will lose the core teaching of the faith. The other side argues that without unity we stand in opposition to the very truth that the earliest Christians confessed.

My question is simple: Why must we chose one side or the other. Is this an either/or question or rather a both/and one? I think it is the latter. We need a strong, clear doctrinal basis for our conversation and fellowship to remain rooted in the ancient faith that was handed down to Christians through the centuries. The earliest creeds provide this for us. We also need a deep and growing commitment to seek relational unity in every way possible. The two are not opposites but mutually complimentary truths. What we should pursue is “unity within reconciled diversity.” This means we will not be able to join in the same communion, at least not yet in some contexts, but it means we can respect and esteem others in the Christian family who have so much to teach us about how they understand the faith and practice it. For this reason all good theology will become ecumenical theology. By listening to others and learning from them I listen to what the Spirit is saying to the whole catholic church.

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. John Paul Todd November 15, 2010 at 9:22 am

    On Nov.10th, you wrote-
    “This is precisely what John 17:20-23 sets forth: relational oneness that models the relationship between the Father and the Son in intimate personal communion. This is the true and substantial basis for our oneness and unity as believers in Christ.”
    I like the present post, but personally have difficulty in reconciling these two very different ideas about “true unity” and how to experience it.

  2. John Isaacson November 15, 2010 at 10:34 am

    John, you wrote,”We need a strong, clear doctrinal basis for our conversation and fellowship to remain rooted in the ancient faith that was handed down to Christians through the centuries. The earliest creeds provide this for us. ”
    If an early church had a question regarding a statement in a creed that they believed was not founded on biblical teaching how were they accepted by the other churches? Did some churches enforce conformity? Are the earliest creeds the last word as to how unity is recognized and archived? What creeds do we read, so we can recognize the ancient faith that will unite us?

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