Quote:
Originally Posted by OBW
I will admit that reading scripture is not an effort in statistics. But there is a difference between commands and prayers. Between numerous commands concerning righteousness and holiness, and a prayer concerning oneness.
And when coupled with the way that oneness is mentioned in the indirect speaking (in the epistles), it should be clear that whatever oneness is, it comes out of righteousness. As we grow in obedience, we will "arrive" at the unity of the faith. We don't dictate the terms of oneness and then righteousness will follow. You obey in righteousness and discover that you are becoming one with others who are doing the same.
Let's put it another way. Majoring on righteousness will result in oneness. Majoring on oneness will not necessarily result in righteousness. The proof is somewhat anecdotal. But very real. While far from complete, the numbers of those in Christianity that are focused on righteousness rather than some kind of oneness/unity are becoming more one. Not necessarily in terms of just dropping everything and meeting together, but in realizing that they can meet together because those other things are not the main thing. In the mean time, those who focus on oneness/unity are busy defining the basis of their unity more narrowly (and differently) than Jesus did. And becoming what Paul chastised the Corinthians for in their divisions.
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I am quite uneasy with the whole "majoring on righteousness will result in oneness" theory because so many divisions within the body are justified with a self serving pseudo righteousness.
I would look at this differently. If I was going to start a vineyard I might spend a lot of time discussing which type of seed to use, what are the merits, why is this the best choice for my vineyard. This would be based on the nature of the seed, how hardy it is, what soil, what climate, etc. You might consider all of that discussion to be analogous to a discussion of holiness in the Bible (assuming you like the definition of holiness to be the nature of God). However, once that seed is planted the discussion on choosing the which seed to go with is no longer of primary importance. Now the issue becomes how to help my vineyard thrive, how to fight the pests, how to irrigate, harvest and prune. At this point my focus would be on the production of the vineyard and how to maximize quality and quantity. Now if I prune a branch from the vine tree that is not because it was not "holy" (that branch had the same nature as the rest of the vine tree) it is because the vine tree does not assume it will have a husbandman taking care of its every need, so it's focus is not aligned with mine.
Now if you were in the LRC you know that brothers and sisters who no longer meet with the LRC are equated with backsliders. They go back to sin, they dry up, etc.
However the real question is not about sin, or holiness, or righteousness. The real question, according to John 15, is "fruitfulness". Since leaving the LRC have you become more fruitful? If so the husbandman cut off the LRC so that you could be more fruitful. Since leaving the LRC has the LRC become more fruitful now that you are gone?
But if you are a fruitful member then there will be a oneness in that. This is why the export of wine and spirits are so easy to cross cultures and borders.
So in this sense the oneness is the expression of the final product. Holiness would be a critical discussion for the husbandman prior to planting his vineyard, oneness would be a critical discussion for the wine critic after tasting the final product, and righteousness would be the path that we walk from start to finish.