Reading this story on Monday I couldn’t help but be reminded of a recent discussion at beer and bible. We have been working our way through Acts and while in Acts 21 we came across an account of Paul disagreeing with the Jerusalem church.
In reading this account I was struck by Paul’s reaction to this difference in theological opinion. Paul is far more interested in what united his ministry with the eastern church than what separated it.
I wonder if this is something that we should be taking heed of today. While, on the one hand, denomination seems to be a long way down the list when many folk are choosing a church, we also hear of stories such as this one. that make the national press.
There is a clear divide (unfortunate choice of word, sorry) between the hard core traditionalists and those who hardly know what the difference between a Baptist, Methodist, or Anglican might be.
Paul didn’t seem to see these issues as ones to make a fuss about. Churches since then have split over much less I’m sure. But are there issues to split a church over? Or maybe such differences are what define us as an authentic community?
I’m not sure. What do you think?