Quote:
Originally Posted by Jo S
To the LC's credit, there is the understanding of the importance of unity within the body of Christ looking beyond denominational status or creed. However, ironically this understanding has become an ideology rather than the result of an organic work of the Lord as we've read about in the early churches.
Things for Christians weren't as glamorous back then. For all of us in the US, we're living in relative peace and security so it's easy to have a disconnect from the realities our brothers and sisters faced in the early days or are now facing in the east.
For the Christians in biblicial times "locality" wasn't a practice or a doctrine, it was a necessity and essential for the faith's survival. These churches met on personal properties and lived together in quarters within cities or slums rather than having convenient sunday meetings in million dollar 501(c)(3) tax exempt facilities. For those in the LC that condemn Judaism, tax exemption began with Jewish synogogues in Rome.... So there's that. I'm not bashing tax exempt churches or meeting on Sundays but if you claim you're living out the bible, why not then go all the way?
This type of biblical unity we read about, I believe, can't be recreated in places where the faith isn't being persecuted. The intentions are admirable but what real reason is there for establishing a pattern of Christianity like the LC pushes to places as tolerant toward religion as the west is? In the end, it's no more than business because there isn't practical use for this type of mindset.
I believe the Lord has more use for his body in having true believers spread out amongst the denominations and non-denominational churches. In times of peace I believe that's a much better strategy, not only for preservation, but also for witnessing rather than having the entirety of believers in a particular city all under one minister like Lee or Chu. Even then, these men oversaw not just one city but many cities. This type of influence and control is dangerous.
You might argue, "Paul oversaw many churches".....Well, I'd say until Jesus Christ himself appears to you in blinding glory in front of multiple witnesses and then you go through the type of tribulations Paul has gone through to prepare him for this level of ministry then you really don't have an argument.
My point is that we may not see a true biblical unity of believers until the great tribulation or maybe even after when Christ returns, I don't know for sure. We most likely won't see any other "super apostles" or "MOTAs" perhaps until the two witnesses appear on the earth.
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I cannot see that the same God who said "A kingdom divided cannot stand" would think division is " a much better strategy". Paul also said "is Christ divided?". I cannot see that Paul would think division is a better strategy either.
You have it back to front. In times of peace, a family should be united together. Maybe it is more effective and practical for a family to be divided, imagine, the husband could live near his work place and the wife near hers. The kids could live near their school, it would be easier for everyone. But they are still one family, not divided, they just live in different places and never see each other.
A man and woman living apart sends the message that the couple is separated. Married couples should live together especially when there is no reason to be apart. Divisions present a message to the world that Christianity is divided, even though you and everyone else says it isn't. Consider how an unbeliever sees the church - Christianity looks more fragmented and divided than Islam, and Islam is supposed to be the religion which promotes violence.
If Christians have no reason to be apart from each other, in times of peace, then there is really no reason for the denominations to exist.