As recounted in From Conflict to Communion, jointly produced by the Lutheran World Federation and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity, the Reformation was an academic dispute that careened into a division of the church.
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It's hard to read this without thinking what might have been. . . . if everyone had stopped, quieted, breathed, listened, talked, disputed, clarified, taken a decade off to sort through the issues. What then?
Source: Peter Leithart - "Careening Toward Division", First Things, 10 Jan 2017, https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/leithart/2017/01/careening-toward-division
Anglicans and Catholics
In the course of these two centuries, much has also changed between Anglicans and Catholics, who in the past viewed each other with suspicion and hostility. Today, with gratitude to God, we recognize one another as we truly are: brothers and sisters in Christ, through our common baptism. As friends and pilgrims we wish to walk the path together, to follow our Lord Jesus Christ together.
Source: Pope Francis - Address to the Anglican Parish of All Saints in Rome, as reported by Vatican Radio, 26 Feb 2017, http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2017/02/26/pope_catholics_and_anglicans,_brothers_and_sisters_in_chris/1295193
Chip & Joanna Gaines
The Gaines shared, “Our family has made a commitment to put Christ first, a lifestyle our parents modeled for us very well. They showed us how to keep our marriage and family centered around God.
As for ‘Fixer Upper,’ we have been surprised at the impact of our faith through the show. We haven’t been overtly evangelical, but the rich feedback we have received on family and love all source from our faith. Jesus said the world would know His disciples by their love for one another, and we’ve glimpsed this in practice and strive for it every day.”
Source: Chip & Joanna Gaines - On CBS Sunday Morning, http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/the-couple-behind-fixer-upper/ , as quoted on http://qpolitical.com/1-chip-joanna-gaines-changing-america-easy-see/
Paul: Make Sure No One Treats Timothy With Contempt
Now when Timothy visits you in Corinth (sent from Ephesus), make sure that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, because he is carrying on the Lord’s work just as I am. Therefore, make sure no one treats him with contempt. Instead, send him on his way in peace so that he can return to me, because I am waiting for him along with my other ministry partners.
Source: The Apostle Paul - 1 Corinthians 16:10-11 (IEB)
History from Germany
Centuries ago, Germany consisted of many kingdoms and principalities but was united by a common church. The Reformation, led among others by Martin Luther, resulted in schisms within Western Christianity and ultimately in wars between Catholic and Protestant forces. The Peace of Augsburg (1555) temporarily put an end to these conflicts by stipulating that the people of a kingdom or principality were to adhere to the faith of their ruler. Those who believed differently were forced to convert or move to a different region. These provisions applied to Lutherans and Catholics, but not to the followers of Calvin and the Anabaptists, who were thus subject to persecution. The Peace of Augsburg held for over six decades until the outbreak of the Thirty Years War (1618–1648). Peace was regained again by the Peace of Westphalia which affirmed the Peace of Augsburg, this time, however, including the Calvinists. As a result, the German people lived in regional denominational isolation. Confessional diversity within a sovereign land was unthinkable and, driven by the horrors of war, mistrust and loathing between the denominations were rampant. The 19th century saw the advent of other churches and denominations in Germany, among them the Baptist and Methodist as well as old-confessional churches. Their rise was often due to inner church protest movements. As a result, these churches were relatively small in number and mostly disinclined to ecumenical relations.
Source: Council of Churches in Germany (ACK) - "The Ecumenical Situation in Germany", http://geii.org/week_of_prayer_for_christian_unity/prayer_worship/ecumenical_situation_in_Germany.html
Fr. Peter Hocken
As we were repenting for the sins against the Eucharist, we were very careful not to criticize the teachings and beliefs of other Christians. Our desire was to confess what a treasure this gift of the Eucharist is, and the deep longing of the Lord that we partake of it together. The problem is not the rules, discipline or practice of any one Church or denomination, but the distortions and deviations in practice that have brought about the present situation. We believe that confessing these sins with which we identify clears the ground and opens the door to new breakthroughs in the future.
Source: Peter Hocken - TJCII Communique, 2016-1
Encouraging News from Richard Foster
It is precisely at this point that I have encouraging news. We are not the only ones from a different culture and age who have wanted to imitate the life of Christ. Others - myriads and myriads of them - have sought to imitate the way of Christ and to translate that way into their own settings and surroundings. We are helped immensely by looking at their efforts and learning their stories. Furthermore, it is a genuine act of humility to realize that we can learn from others who have gone before us. To be sure, they made mistakes, but even so they have much to teach us. In the midst of all their stumbling and fumbling they sought to imitate the way of Christ and to grow in Christlikeness. Their stories have been - and remain- a rich source of joy, inspiration, and instruction.
Source: Richard Foster - Streams of Living Water, p. 22
Glenn Beck
We are a country in trouble, and we have only one way out: reconciliation. We must follow the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s message and method and move away from a pursuit of “winning” and toward reclaiming our shared humanity. We cannot reconcile with those who want to tear up the Constitution or those who want blood in the street. But we can and must reconcile of our own free will with our neighbors and friends.
Source: Glenn Beck - "Empathy for Black Lives Matter", opinion column for NY Times 7 Sept 2016, http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/07/opinion/glenn-beck-empathy-for-black-lives-matter.html
Huge Changes Have Occurred
We are not denying that significant, even huge, differences remain between Evangelicals and Catholics. We are simply saying that in the midst of these huge differences, equally huge changes have occurred which have changed the landscape and which have widened the range of strategies available to the Evangelical missionary eager to introduce his message to the Catholic world.
Source: Paul Miller - "Evangelicals Cooperatively Evangelising & Discipling with Catholics in Faithfulness to Evangelical Distinctives", by Paul Miller
John Dawson
Learning from what others have done
… a few examples that demonstrate humility, wisdom and creativity ...
4) Commemorative ceremonies
Significant dates … are becoming reconciliation events when believers gather to memorialize these painful memories in annual observances. German Christians have led the way
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8) Appreciation tours
Korean, Japanese, North American and European Christians moving beyond the traditional tours to the Holy Land and exploring the cultures of other nations in order to empathize with and appreciate the diversity of God's redemptive gifts within the peoples of the world. Reconciliation is a featured part of many of these journeys.
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11) Diversity in Unity Celebrations
Old wounds are eventually put behind us and unity can be celebrated as an accomplished fact. Recently a Los Angeles city councilman visited a block party put on by a neighborhood filled with believers. "If the city was like this block, LA would have no problems," said the amazed politician after observing the obvious harmony between a great diversity of cultures.
12) Receptions, Banquets and other Hospitality Based Gatherings
Eating together remains one of the most effective ways of bringing together elements of society and Christians with a ministry of hospitality will always be at the forefront of the ministry of reconciliation. This is an activity that begins in teh home and the church dining hall and extends all the way to the convention center.
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14) Cross-cultural and Denominational Interchurch Hosting
It is increasingly common for pastors to exchange pulpits ore for whole congregations to visit one another for combined services and fellowship. Congregations have specialty ministry gifts and the division of labor for that God has created becomes evident when believers really begin to explore and "see" one another in the life of hte city.
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The methods listed above were discovered by united believers in the place of prayer. The Holy Spirit will reveal the perfect plan for you and your team as you also seek God for wisdom.
Source: John Dawson - What Every Christian Should Know About Reconciliation, pp. 43 - 46
Great Points, Devastating Division
Beginning in the 16th century with the Protestant Reformation, however, individual movements began to splinter Christians away from the Roman Catholic Church to follow new interpretations of the Bible. Many of these teachers like Martin Luther and John Calvin professed a better understanding of Scripture—an understanding which condemned some of the practices of the present Christian Church, the Catholic Church.
Many of their points were truly great, as were many of their criticisms, but the resulting division of the Christian Church was devastating and lamented, strongly, by even Martin Luther himself.
Source: K. Albert Little - The Cordial Catholic on Patheos, 1 May 2015, "Dear Christians: Take Our Unity Seriously, Because Everyone is Watching", http://www.patheos.com/blogs/albertlittle/dear-christians-take-our-unity-seriously-because-everyone-is-watching/
Jesus Prays
After Jesus taught his disciples, he looked up to heaven and prayed, “Father, my time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son can glorify you. For you have given him authority over all people, so that he can give eternal life to whoever you have given him. Now this is eternal life: That they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent into this world. I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do. And now Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the creation of the universe.”
Source: Jesus - John 17:3 (IEB)
Hela Erlich, Holocaust Survivor
"Trembling, I realized that if I looked into my own heart I could find seeds of hatred there, too. Arrogant thoughts, feelings of irritation toward others, coldness, anger, envy, indifference - these are the roots of what happened in Nazi Germany. And they are there in every human being. As I recognized - more clearly than ever before - that I myself stood in desperate need of forgiveness, I was able to forgive, and finally I felt completely free." -- Hela Erlich, Holocaust survivor
Source: Johann Christoph Arnold - Why Forgive?, pp.36
Leaders of Malaysia's Methodist, Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches
It all began with the case of the missing pastor.
On the morning of 13 February, Raymond Koh was exiting a highway in the leafy suburb of Kelana Jaya just outside of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.
A widely circulated CCTV clip appears to show what happened next. A convoy of black SUVs and motorcycles is seen swooping down on his car and boxing it in by the side of the road.
Then, several men jump out and run to Mr Koh. There is a flurry of activity, and the convoy moves off - along with his car. It is allegedly the last time anyone sees him.
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The heads of Malaysia's Methodist, Anglican and Roman Catholic churches attended a prayer service for Mr Koh last week.
Source: BBC - "A missing pastor and the disappearances chilling Malaysia", Tessa Wong, BBC News, 12 April 2017, http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-39252139
Professor Pauli, Pope Peter, & Elder John
In the meantime, among the desert hills of Jericho, the Christians were devoting themselves to fasting and prayers. On the evening of the fourth day, Professor Pauli and nine companions, mounted on asses and taking with them a cart, stole into Jerusalem and, passing through side streets by Haram-esh-Sheriff to Haret-en-Nasara, came to the entrance to the Temple of the Resurrection, in front of which, on the pavement, the bodies of Pope Peter and Elder John were lying. The street was deserted at that time of night, as everyone had gone to Hasam-esh- Sheriff. The sentries were fast asleep.
The party that came for the bodies found them quite untouched by decomposition, not even stiff or heavy. They put them on stretchers and covered them with the cloaks they had brought with them. Then by the same circuitous route they returned to their followers. They had hardly lowered the stretcher to the ground when suddenly the spirit of life could be seen reentering the deceased bodies. The bodies moved slightly as if they were trying to throw off the cloaks in which they were wrapped. With shouts of joy, everyone lent them aid and soon both the revived men rose to their feet, safe and sound.
Then said Elder John: "Ah, my little children, we have not parted after all! I will tell you this: it is time that we carry out the last prayer of Christ for his disciples - that they should be all one, even as he himself is one with the Father. For this unity in Christ, let us honor our beloved brother Peter. Let him at last pasture the flocks of Christ. There it is, brother!" And he put his arms round Peter.
Then Professor Pauli came nearer. "Tu est Petrus!" ("You are Peter!") he said to the Pope, "Jetzt ist es ja grundlich erwiesen und ausser jedem Zweifel gesetzt." ("Now it has been thoroughly proven and put beyond any doubt"). And he shook Peter's hand firmly with his own right hand, while he stretched out his left hand to John saying: "So also Vaterchen nun sind wir ja Eins in Christo." ("Now, then, dear father, we are now one in Christ.").
In this manner, the unification of churches took place in the midst of a dark night on a high and deserted spot. But the nocturnal darkness was suddenly illuminated with brilliant light and a great sign appeared in the heavens; it was a woman, clothed in the sun with the moon beneath her feet and a wreath of twelve stars on her head. The apparition remained immovable for some time, and then began slowly to move in a southward direction. Pope Peter raised his staff and exclaimed: "Here is out banner! Let us follow it!" And he walked after that apparition, accompanied by both the old men and the whole crowd of Christians, to God's mountain, to Sinai ...
Source: Vladimir Soloviev - A Short Tale of the Anti-Christ
Traci Vanderbush
On my mind this morning. It's a weak analogy but...
Imagine that you come across a loving, powerful, forgiving, and encouraging individual. You're having a conversation with him. His words fill you with life and hope that you've never known before. You feel you belong. You feel empowered.
Suddenly, you're attacked by a group of thugs who want to steal everything you have and leave you for dead.
This amazing man steps in and covers you. He tells the thugs, "Let him go. You can take me instead."
He gets brutally beaten, so badly that he doesn't even look human anymore. He, even in his dying, extends love to you. He dies, but later he is brought back to life.
You ask him, "What can I do for you? How could I ever repay?"
He expresses that all he wants is for his friends, family, and acquaintances to live in peace and be one together. In fact, this is what he prays for...asking God that they all be one so that the world would know about his love.
Would you respect his wishes?
Would you be appalled and saddened by the bickering, accusing ways of people that "know" him?
Would you give him what he asked for?
To be a name-caller...to be divisive...and to demean another in his name would be a slap in his face.
Yet, we as Christians, have forgotten The Way, and we slap Jesus in the face over and over again with our idiotic, self-righteousness.
Have we forgotten The Way once again during this election?
Lift up your head.
Raise your eyes.
Look at Him. Just look into His eyes. Stop trying to force the gaze of others and trust the one who loves us all.
By putting our trust in this political system we've built, we forget Truth. We forget his request.
Can't you hear the cry of the man who went through hell? Will you give him what he asked for?
(John 17:20-22)
Source: Traci Vanderbush - Posted on FB 15 Oct 16
Chris Carrier
Quoting Chris Carrier, who forgave an assailant who left him for dead:
There is a very pragmatic reason for forgiving. When we are wronged, we can either respond by seeking revenge, or we can forgive. If we choose revenge, our lives will be consumed by anger. When vengeance is served, it leaves one empty. Anger is a hard urge to satisfy and can become habitual. But forgiveness allows us to move on.
There is also a more compelling reason to forgive. Forgiveness is a gift - it is mercy. It is a gift that I have received and also given away. In both cases, it has been completely satisfying.
Source: Johann Christoph Arnold - Why Forgive?, pp.85
Jemar Tisby
Because of Christ, I am willing to be part of a body that constantly underestimates the ongoing impact of racism. Because of Jesus, I am willing to associate with believers who outright deny systemic and institutional forms of inequality based on race. Because of our unity in the Spirit, I am willing to fellowship with believers who rebuke me for my honesty, and accuse me of sowing division because I speak of difficult subjects. I am still here. Bear with me if I sometimes long to worship with people who share not only my theology, but my pain as well.
Source: Jemar Tisby - "Trump's Election and Feeling 'Safe' in White Evangelical Churches", Reformed African American Network, 18 Nov 2016, https://www.raanetwork.org/trumps-election-feeling-safe-white-evangelical-churches/
Michael Ross, Serial Rapist and Murderer
Quoting Michael Ross, a serial rapist and murderer:
I feel a profound sense of guilt: an intense, overwhelming and pervasive guilt that surrounds my soul with dark, tormenting clouds of self-hatred, remorse and sorrow … Reconciliation is what I yearn for most: reconciliation with the spirits of my victims, with their families and friends, and finally with myself and God.
Source: Johann Christoph Arnold - Why Forgive?, pp.169-170
Peter Leithart
The challenge of sifting legitimate cultural expressions from illegitimate goes back at least to Gregory’s letters to Augustine of Canterbury. The devil is in the details, but at a high level of generality, we can say this: Every culture will have to abandon some of its most cherished ways in order to follow Jesus; but at the same time, conversion should be presented and experienced not primarily as renunciation but as fulfillment. Christian Koreans don’t cease to be Korean, but, united to the Last Adam, they become the Koreans God created them to be.
Source: Peter Leithart - First Things, "Unity and Uniformity", 27 Oct 2016, https://www.firstthings.com/blogs/leithart/2016/10/unity-and-uniformity