Almost all of Christianity would come to agreement concerning the need for a positive confession of faith in the finished work of Jesus as a mandate for entrance into heaven. From there, the differing faith groups and belief systems head off into many segments. According to a recent post on Wikipedia, there are 38,000 Christian denominations. If we figure that number has a 30% inaccuracy rate, that still leaves 26,600.
That number probably does not represent the factions within those denominations. The point is clear: Christianity is widely divided on issues of faith, practice and systems of belief. A strange situation for a faith group whose most celebrated and known author, the Apostle Paul, chastised the early followers for spreading factions and following individuals rather than following the Author and Finisher of their Faith.
Impacting this organized division even more is the varying degrees of belief concerning social issues. While millions of dollars are spent on the issue of same-sex marriage (both on the pro and con sides of the argument), with a constant series of votes and appeals, a recent sociological study by the Interagency Council on Homelessness states that not only are the number of homeless in America increasing, but women and children are larger segments of the homeless than ever in the history of America.
In Matthew 25, Jesus made no clause or provision for “when I was considering same-sex marriage, you stopped me.” Jesus addressed the current landscape and built His platform for discipleship based on our love for each other and how that expression of love would change the way people lived. He taught that faith based on belief in Him would carry effective and needed change into the community.
As we watch the mission of Jesus here on Earth unfold, we are hard pressed to find a segment of population He did not address. From the religiously elite to the religiously rejected, Jesus accepted them all. But beyond acceptance, He offered them the keys and tools to transform from stereotypical elements of society into positive elements of change. Because Jesus transcended cultural norms, He was able to transform cultural norms. He also-taught a message of love and reconciliation to His Father-based on the care and concern for the poor and needy and disenfranchised-that has transcended time.
This conversation about Jesus and cultural norms is huge. He understood clearly that when you serve the people that have needs-you change the structure of the culture that builds the walls to keep people in need.
It appears, however, that this strain of Jesus’ teachings has not stuck with today’s culture of Christian practice. How does 38,000 different denominations weigh in on the issues? 38,000 different ways! In terms of impact, what could be the largest single community for social justice and the relief of the poor and needy has been down-scaled to 38,000 different voices all singing their own agendas. Make no mistake about this fact-there are many ministry operations out there that are fully committed to the poor and disenfranchised. I am suggesting here the power of a united force of Christians working towards the end of poverty, racism, illiteracy and the many challenges facing our society today.
Adding to the challenge is the seeming disrespect the different denominations express for each other. Just try listening to a Christian radio station and you will hear one pastor after another talking over the opinions and teachings of the guy just on before them. Rather than putting together a constant stream of refreshing consciousness, we have become just like the political radio stations, a band of talking heads with no center-point of agreement and all manifesting a pre-programmed agenda.
Acceptance of each other, with our successes and failures, our diversity and differences, is the Path of Jesus. As a Christian, do you love the homosexual? Right where he lives, or after his conversion? How about the black man or white man? Do you see Jesus or do you see past generations of negative stereotyping?
People have said to me that they will come halfway. They are willing to meet in the middle, with their 50% and the other parties 50%. Thank God that His plan to redeem the Universe did not include Jesus stopping halfway. With Jesus hovering somewhere in the Mesosphere, we would all die missing Heaven by miles.
It takes the “all in” level of acceptance, my 100% with your 100%. That 200% creates the environment for the Light of the Creator to shine. Here is a prayer I read I think says it all…
I am going to get out of the way and allow the Tree of Life to lift me up. In the past, I have been stubborn, set in my ways, and I will let go. Instead of clinging to my beliefs, I will open up.
I will allow the Light of the Creator to shine down into my world and transform my life. I have real desire, not for myself alone, but to connect to the Creator. Letting go of my Ego and stepping aside, I feel the Divine Force of God taking over.
It is time for all or nothing. We could assemble the greatest spiritual force in the history of humanity by offering the gift of acceptance to everyone, all the time! Perhaps our generation, our people, our time, could sound the call that would bring Messiah here to Earth. May it be So!
Think for just a moment-if we surrendered our agendas and religious prejudices-and worked to serve each other and the communities entrusted to our care-we COULD BE generation that ushers in the Return of the Messiah…
David Fournier Rev. Dr.
The Centre for Hebraic Insights
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