Jesus priestly prayer for his disciples in John 17 was for them to be one. It seems Jesus knew beforehand that the Church of God would suffer the onslaught of differing groups after His departure. We asked, “Was Jesus prayer not answered? Was His prayer for the Church not powerful enough to pull down the barriers of divisions and disunity among the church?”Many times the early Church is represented as an ideal model for present day Churches. But deeper study proves that the early Church was also not free from the major challenges that the Churchesfacestoday. For instance, the division between Jews and Gentile believers was one proof that shows that the early Church was also not free from the flaws of Church institutions. In that context, the Church leaders like Paul and other band of apostles manoeuvre to unite the two races but sadly, unsuccessful. Nevertheless, within this unsuccessful undertaking, the sovereign plan of God wasfulfilled in His Church.When we talk about unity in the Church, it doesn’t necessarily mean uniformity. A Church can well be united in diversity. It also might not stick to a particular form of practices of worship but agree on all major doctrines of the Bible. The whole picture of the Universal Church is one which has so many colours blending to make the Church of Christ more beautiful, glorious and majestically mysterious in the eyes of men. Therefore, divisions of Churches if not pulled to the extreme edge of intolerance and hatred helps in the healthy growth of the kingdom of God.
Nagaland, like any other place is plagued with different denominations. Denominationin and of itself is not wrong but -ism is. The extremism in not allowing the other denominations to flourish and freely function in any setting is completely un-Christian and un-scriptural. Jesus said, “Those who are not against us are for us.” In other words, those groups outside the circle of Jesus invoking the name of Jesus were also His legitimate disciples and Jesus was not against them.
A cloudis hovering among the Christians today that people from other denominations are less Christian than themselves. Of course, heretical teachings needs to be dealt with and responded to strongly but the restriction upon the believers from freely choosing the practice of worship is really disturbing. This kind of Christianity only leads to formalism and mundane nominalism. The forbidding of other denominations from entering into a community in the name of the community interest is pure hypocrisy. The rise of denominations proves that the established Churches are not doing well enough to capture the hearts of the people with its form of practices and worship system. The superiority attitude of the denominationalism is purely Satanic in the dress of religion. The “holier than thou” attitude in some denominational circles is breeding contempt resulting in insignificant divisions and schism among the Christians community.
There have been instances in our land where other denomination churches are forbidden completely in some villages. Many would term “denominations” as disunity and division among God’s people. But I would beg to differ. Denominations have a spiritual significance in the expansion of God’s kingdom. For instance, the 16th century schism between Catholic and Protestantism opened the eyes of the mass to perceive what’s wrong within the Catholic tenets of faith. The movement called for each believer to judge through the Biblical presentation. Hence, the rise of Protestantism called for inner change within the Catholic Church purging the evils of blind faith. It called for the Church to examine their roles of administration in the Church.
Denominations are healthy because it restricts the dictatorial position and monopoly of one particular Church. In a secular and democratic system of society, the Church cannot behave in an undemocratic and despotic manner. The Church ought to be even-handed in serving the people. It should not bind people but free people. It ought to release people from religiosity and unnecessary laws and regulations. It should promote brotherhood and express love in the midst of differing views and beliefs. Yes, it’s easy to love and agree with one who’s on our side but not so with the others. But Christian should learn to co-exist together inspite of our differences and show the world that unity doesn’t have to depend on uniformity. Let’s hear it again, denomination is not disunity but -ism is. G.K Chesterton gives an interesting observation about Jesus teachings on loving our neighbours and also loving our enemies,probablysays, Chesterton,because they are generally the same people. Maybe, it’s time for the Churches to realize that the same enemy and the neighbour by and largeare the other denominations and Christians ought to love them as taught in the Bible.
Vebu Khamo
