Unity and Division
by
Hywel R. Jones |
Dear Alumni,
In the 1960s and 70s there was considerable debate concerning
the doctrine of the church in the United Kingdom. It was an
agonizing and perplexing time and recent events have reminded me
of it.
For almost a century now a kind of Ecumenism has been in the
air. Earnest attempts have been made towards bringing
denominations together in full communion with each other
notwithstanding the interruptions and alienation caused by two
world wars. Although this has not met with success (yet) it has
served to highlight how deeply the divided-ness of the visible
church runs. It has also (but inadvertently) so publicized the
presence of grievous error in the church that many who adhered
to the truth about Christ and his work as laid down in apostolic
scripture were obliged to examine their ecclesiastical
allegiance. Upholding the principle of semper reformanda
they either distanced themselves from involvement in the World
Council of Churches, forming new associations, or they strove to
recall their denominations to paths that had been forsaken. Sad
to say the degree of difficulty involved in doing this has been
greatly increased because churches that call themselves
“evangelical” minimize the importance of doctrinal truth and now
groups are “emerging” from that diffuse and incoherent movement
that are willing to embrace anything religious.
Such a melting pot has made us more conscious of our
ecclesiastical distinctiveness and determined not to blur it.
Not one of us has used a pick ’n mix method in determining his
church allegiance or “mental reserve” when taking vows, whether
as members or office-bearers. Church-wise, each of us is where
he or she is in good conscience. Upholding this is therefore a
matter of solemn duty. But it is not the sum-total of our duty
for we all also believe that there is “one holy catholic and
apostolic church.” This is not just something to say and mean
coram Deo. We are to seek to manifest it and pursue it
because we ourselves are not as united as we should be.
How then are we to seek greater unity on an inter-church level?
Some of you may think it foolish of me to raise a question of
such magnitude when I have only an 800-word limit. But raising
the question is what I am seeking to do because it is not often
thought about. However, I see (thanks to word count!) that I
have more than 400 words left. So I will sharpen the question a
little and make an appeal.
The question is “Should we seek to promote better relations
between (and of course within) denominations where the solas
of gospel truth are upheld and God’s gracious power is at work?”
That question demands a positive answer given the composition of
Westminster Seminary California, its friendly relationship with
the Institute of Reformed Baptist Studies, and the incorporation
of White Horse Inn Ministries. We recognize such gatherings as
truly Christian. Are there any further steps that can be taken
towards a closer fellowship between us as churches?
The appeal is that we do not turn our churchly differences into
barriers. If we think that there are no steps of the kind just
referred to that we can take let us not deny the term “church”
to each other but strive earnestly “to preserve the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace” because “there is [but] one body.”
The Lord Jesus Christ spoke about building [his] church. He
lived and died for her and he prays for her. The church is not
ours. Our denomination or association is only part of it.
To conclude here is an excerpt on this matter from my favorite
17th century theologian, John Owen. He was to the fore in the
effort that was made to bring about union among Protestants
towards the end of his life. In his treatise On the Nature of
Schism he wrote,
I confess I would rather, much rather, spend all my time and
days in making up and healing the breaches and schisms that are
amongst Christians than one hour in justifying our divisions
even therein wherein, on the one side, they are capable of a
fair defense. But who is sufficient for such an attempt? The
closing of differences amongst Christians is like opening the
book in the Revelation, - there is none able or worthy to do it,
in heaven or in earth, but the Lamb: when he will put forth the
greatness of his power for it, it shall be accomplished, and not
before. In the meantime, a reconciliation among all Protestants
is our duty, and practicable, and had perhaps ere this been in
some forwardness of accomplishment had men rightly understood
wherein such a reconciliation, according to the mind of God,
doth consist. When men have labored as much in the principle of
forbearance as they have done to subdue other men to their
opinions, religion will have another appearance in the world. For Christ and His Church,
Yours sincerely,
Hywel R. Jones
Professor of Practical Theology
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