Book Reviews
IN PURSUIT OF CHRISTIAN UNITY
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There follows a brief book review of Speed Bumps in Pursuit of Christian Unity, posted at Purity Publications, and listed under the category of Spiritual Books. Needless to say, it is an issue of critical importance.
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We initially entertain the appeal to constructive diversity within the faith community. "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts," Paul observes (1 Cor. 12:12). Consequently, the foot can’t say to the hand, "I have no need for you." Since each serves a select purpose, as was God’s intent.
We are thus alerted to the fact that Christians are bonded together in Christ. Although otherwise diverse. Diverse ethnically, sexually, and socially. Then unique individually.
Two undesirable alternatives are thus revealed. First, conformity does not qualify as unity. Since it suppresses legitimate diversity. Whether with good intention or to serve some less commendable purpose.
Second, divisiveness obviously does not enhance unity. Although some would give this impression by arguing for some cause without regard for its negative effect on the Christian community. For instance, the apostle enjoins his readers: "Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a stumbling block to the weak" (1 Cor. 8:9).
The weak are those troubled by some practice, while the strong think it permissible. In this instance, it pertains to eating meat offered to idols. It goes without saying that idolatry was prohibited. Moreover, persons were not to give the impression that they worshiped idols. So in Jewish tradition, if someone were to inadvertently drop currency in front of an idol, he was to turn away before bending over to recover it.
However, meat sold in the marketplace no longer had an explicit association with idolatry. So that one might partake unless this offended others. Were that the case, it would not be in keeping with life together. In a more subtle fashion, the weak are also cautioned against pressing this divisive issue. Lest the cultivation of community suffer. In graphic terms, community is a two-way street.
In greater detail, there was the fellowship of believers. "They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). Everyone was filled with awe, and many miraculous signs were attributed to the apostles. "All the believers were together and had everything in common." So they sold their possession, and provided for those in need.
As a result, they enjoyed "the favor of the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." "Luke presents in this paragraph an ideal picture of this new community, rejoicing in the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Spirit. The community, the apostolic fellowship, was constituted on the basis of apostolic teaching" (F. F. Bruce, The Acts of the Apostles, p. 73).
Thus are we introduced to the apostles. The term derives from the notion of being sent. As such, Jesus commissioned them to cultivate a fledgling community, and engage in heralding the good news. Their teaching was considered authoritative.
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