Since I was first called into ministry I have been an ecumenist. I believe that the church of Jesus Christ is one body. I am also a realist, one who prefers to see things as they are. Therefore, I acknowledge that even as the church is one in Christ we have utterly failed to demonstrate that essential unity.
The divisiveness of the church did not begin with the Reformation, the Great Schism of 1054, or with the Montanists. The church’s divisiveness began with the disciples of Jesus, who quarreled among themselves about where they could sit at the table (Mark 10:35-41). My own tribe, the Pentecostals, are renowned for their petty squabbles, political jousting, and charismatic clowning. When I think of the church as one body, I am reminded of Agag, the king of the Amalekites, whom the prophet Samuel hacked into pieces (1 Samuel 15:33). What a bloody mess! The church survives and flourishes only because of the Holy Spirit who is continuously moving to gather the scattered dry bones into a living people (Ezekiel 37:4ff).
Ecumenism expresses the heart of the Father, the prayer of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit. So, I must look past my realist tendencies for a renewed vision of the church as “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.” This vision cannot be limited to the eschaton, that is, the church in heaven. We must find a way to be one church “on earth as it is in heaven.” I have no illusions. Only a sovereign move of God, nothing short of a miracle, will accomplish this task. The divisions are deep and wide. But we must try.
I believe that God is Holy Trinity, and no ecumenical dialogue with various modalist heretics will move me from that confession. I am an Anglo-Catholic Wesleyan, and no Reformed theologian will convince me otherwise. I am pro-life and cannot imagine a more horrible crime than invading the womb of life for the purpose of hacking to death an innocent child. I am pro-heterosexual marriage, and view homosexual marriage as depravity. I am a Pentecostal, and should you challenge my spirituality I will be happy to lay hands on you and pray for you… in tongues. In the words of Martin Luther, “Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me, Amen.“
One view of Ecumenism suggests that we must walk together in spite of our differences, exercising toleration. After all, Christ called us to unconditional love which covers a multitude of sins. Although I embrace this position, it will not bring us to the unity of the Faith. Too many ecumenists are congratulating each other for peaceful dialogues. This type of ecumenism only serves to sterilize the wounds. I’m afraid this vision of ecumenism is blurred by our sinfulness. With Paul we must confess, “We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist…” (1 Corinthians 13:12, The Message). The church doesn’t need plastic surgery, she needs healing. The church needs more than the appearance of unity; she needs to be of one mind and one heart. So where do we begin?
I suggest we begin at the altar. We must hear the Spirit calling us to repentance. We must allow the Spirit to break our hearts; we must give voice to the groans of the Holy Spirit; we must allow the word of God to judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts; and we must surrender as the Spirit wages war against ecclesiastical politics. Like the walls of Jericho, the ivory towers of ecumenical elitism must fall. Judgment begins with the house of God (1 Peter 4:17) and the only way to avert judgment is to repent. We must gather at the altar, fall prostrate before God, and offer deep lament. We must embrace an ecumenism of tears and pray together the words “forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who have sinned against us.” Maybe, just maybe, the tears of repentance will wash the log from our collective eyes. I believe this is where meaningful ecumenism begins.
Originally published on July 18, 2016.
