Sectarianism
Why do we say we are Calvinists, Lutherans, Mennonites, or Wesleyans? It has always been a puzzle that we who are called Christians also want to name ourselves after a man, which at least in principle, the Bible specifically forbids.
“Some of you are saying, ‘I am a follower of Paul.’ Others are saying, ‘I follow Apollos,’ or ‘I follow Peter,’ or ‘I follow only Christ.’ Has Christ been divided into factions?” (1 Corinthians 1:12-13a NLT)
I dream of a church that is not divided by the theology of any man.
A Humble Church
Who are we?
“For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble; but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world that he might put to shame the things that are strong.” (1Corinthians 1:26-27 WEB)
I dream of a church that is not filled with ignorant know-it-alls, but is humble, realizing that we are the foolish and weak of the world.
Christ’s Mind
On the other hand, let’s not discredit the gift that God has given us.
“But we have the mind of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 2:16 CEB)
I dream of a church that is not ashamed of that which has been given them from heaven, but in all humility judges things with the wisdom of heaven, the mind of Christ.
The Foundation
Whether we build with early church fathers, later ecumenical councils, a Reformation or something totally new, there is no other foundation upon which to build.
“... because Christ is the only foundation.” (1 Corinthians 3:11 CEV)
I dream of a church that is continually in repentant revision regarding its theology, not by going to the world as modernists do, but by continually returning to what Jesus and the Apostles taught, the essentials of our common faith.
Excommunication
Though a rare step, expelling someone from the church is sometimes a wise course of action. Paul had to do it to a man who was sleeping with his mother-in-law.
“Let him who has done this be removed from among you.” (1 Corinthians 5:2 ESV)
Many modern churches are afraid to remove those who commit gross public sexual sins, and sometimes even promote them to high office. I dream of a church that shows love to sexual sinners, by addressing their self-destructive behavior rather than ignoring it or pretending that it is okay.
