July 19, 2013
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Theology That Is Not Widely Accepted
So, I’ve let a little disagreement trip me up. I like a challenge, but I also like to be encouraged! So I started feeling a little deflated. However, I’m recovering.
Look, I know I’ve thrown some theology out there that is not widely accepted. But, there is always a handful that get me… a few that not only agree but start to add to what I’m envisioning or that even disagree on some level but agree on another. Its always so beautiful when that happens. You don’t have to agree with me on every level: That Will NEVER Happen to anyone – ever! Having a unified marriage does not mean you see eye to eye on everything… Lord NO! It just means you don’t let your differences separate you, come between you. You actually respect them, embrace them and allow them to make you both better people.
When will the fight of being ‘right’ subside so we can ‘come together’? That’s my implore to you… Christian.
Naturally divisions will arise, it is how we handle them that make us ‘unified’.
I know my vision of a broken bride was a bit grim… We are not useless even in a divided state, but I do believe we are compromised.
Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25, and Luke 11:17 essentially say: “If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.”
John 17:23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know thatYou sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.
Ephesians 4:3 being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling ; 5 oneLord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. …..12for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ ; 13until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a matureman, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ.
Colossians 3:14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Letthe peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body ; and bethankful
I was actually unaware of this scripture in colossians… it struck me though. My message has always revolved around perfect love… interesting that that is the KEY to unity – just sayin’!
I don’t think unity is just something we ‘hope’ to have and it requires a great deal of effort.
Comments (14)
What you speak of is correct. Unity is not easily achieve or maintain; it requires a lot of effort.Just like LoveAnd freedomAnd everything good.Nothing good comes easily… there’s a priced to be paid.And people don’t like to talk about religion because it usually makes people feel uneasy, guilty, etc.
Honestly, I read the Bible and I attend services and I’m active with programs too. However, the most useful teaching that I receive is from Spirit. I strongly feel that what we need is given directly to each of us. Being open to receive the specific blessings that come along with getting to become the person and spirit that I m intended to be is not an easy undertaking although it is very very simple. I’ve not really published blogs that demonstrate the depth of my personal relationship. However, I put a few blogs on my Revelife an on Xanga pages that detail some of the techniques and prayers that I use. Discussing a personal relationship about the God that is my understanding and having the discussions with others is not generally worthwhile on a blog. In addition to pastors, deacons, and others from church, I attend al-anon. Actually, relating to others was far more difficult before I found al-anon. I attend less frequently these days but it actually offers the best format for spiritual development within groups that I’ve encountered. Anyway, I appreciate what you are doing with your blogs and I just really wanted you to know that most of all.God Bless you Summer,and thanks for linking to my new blog at wordpressEric
How to achieve unity? Make time for the other person. Consider their program and schedule and work with it to the best that you can do.If a person is bonded in love, that person will do their best never to harm that person, Do their utmost to make the relationship work and furthermore the two almost act like one person….
@PPhilip - Exactly =] which is why if we truly walk in love, unity is a product of that…
@Hunt4Truth - Thank you Eric =]
Religious belief that is based on personal opinion will always be divisive. That’s because everyone possesses personal opinions which they value highly.Catholics are educated to think with the “mind of the Church.” That is, our view of Christianity comes not from our personal opinions but from the Church who learned it from Christ and the Apostles.People who say their religion comes only from the Bible are also expressing a mere personal opinion.That’s because all written material is subject to personal interpretation. The Church is the authority, established by Christ (Matt 16:13) who teaches what the Bible means.Unity can only exist where people believe the same essential things the same way under the same authority.
@ImNotUglyIJustNeedLove - I don’t know that your last statement is fact…. the part about the same authority yes, but that is Christ which ALL Christians claim… the same essential things, yes… the same ‘way’ – maybe not. I think the essentials of Christianity are pretty basic and there really isn’t a reason we shouldn’t be able to agree on the big picture.
@xXrEMmUsXx - Christianity has become lost in the babble of the modern world because the Gospel voice of Christ has been lost in all the division among Christians.Jesus was clear about unity. Unity means unity, not this that or the other.The truth can only be one. The truth is not the truth if there are infinite versions of it.Authority doesn’t mean a whipping hand. Authority means tried and trusted to be true. The Church is tried and trusted because it was established by Christ who named names and imparted His authority to those names (the Apostles).
@ImNotUglyIJustNeedLove - Interesting… I’m glad you commented again. You have my wheels turning….
Unity under what flag? The one you’re under?
that “fight of being right” is one of my weaknesses and my wife has pointed that out. I’m workin on it. Thanks for the verses. – Rollie
@Lovegrove - No… unity under one faith… a flag has nothing to do with that… unless you are speaking of it being under ‘my terms’… in which I have already stated that I believe the Christian faith is broad enough to accept our differences and move towards an acceptance of everyone in the faith.
@xXrEMmUsXx - Yes! That is possible barring some real deep divisions. The Anglican Church is a case in point. Considered an “umbrella” under which extreme Protestant evangelicals can in theory at least, reside with Anglo-Catholics “more Catholic than the Pope”, and with a wide centre known as the Broad Church, with a kaleidoscope of responses to Christian theology. There are always breakaways, such as now due to the ordination of women and gays, but the vast majority soldier on and stay with it.
This is surprising. You really mix it up with your posts. Is this your background? I was raised this way, but have since gone away from it, however I still have morals and know right from wrong, I just don’t believe that there is a higher power.