THE NATURE
OF THE CHURCH on page 14 says, “Far from being corruptions of the church, a
multiplicity of churches exhibits the manifold riches of the Christian life.”
You and I know that a boat load of words have been used to claim the high
ground of being the one true church.
Just the opposite is true. We
somehow want to limit God’s expression in Jesus. The earliest Gospels have four pictures of
Jesus that are quite different, add to that Paul. When the early Christina Church expanded,
there were many views of Jesus and how God reveals divinity through him. That has continued down to the present day.
It is important that we see that a
wonderful inclusive note is struck here.
“Multiplicity” shows the richness of Christianity. How about applying a principle like that to a
whole host of issues today. Political
life? Varieties of educational philosophy?
World Religions? Cultural norms? A host of sexual questions? And so many
more areas of human and Christian searching.
It is scary to some to be open to
listening to other melodies. There is a
constant desire to have only one melody and it takes faith to listen to
harmony.
What do you think?
Please tell me where you found the Nature of the Church to which you refer. Is this something I can purchase/pick up at Chalice?
ReplyDeleteThank you.