Divisions in the Church

On Sundays I deviate from our chapter studies to look at special topics stimulated by recent texts. Given that I Corinthians was written to confront divisions occurring in the church in Corinth, it is appropriate that we look at divisions within "the Church", that is, within Christianity.

The first division in the church occurred fairly early, as the young church welcomed Gentiles into their Messianic branch of Judaism.

In Acts 6:1-7, we see that the Jerusalem church is mistreating the new "Greek" believers. In Acts 10, Peter learns that God accepts the Gentiles and this epiphany culminates in a meeting in Jerusalem described in Acts 15.  This welcoming of the Gentiles is fleshed out in Paul's letter to the Galatians and the Romans, but it is a significant issue during the first three decades of the young church.  Claims that Paul is abandoning Judaism eventually lead to his arrest in Jerusalem and his transfer to Rome, described in the last quarter of the book of Acts.

This division, the acceptance of Gentiles and the rejection of Judaizers, eventually leads, over a century, to the Gentiles dominating this Jewish sect and so (sadly) Christianity and Judaism move apart.

In Corinth it was petty divisions about who to follow.  In other places, there would, of course, have been more cultural conflicts, just as there are today.  Those trained in Greek philosophy wished to impose Platonic views on the church, while those with more Judaic or eastern view world view often had a different perspective.  Some of the early disputes in the first few centuries dealt with the influence and eventual rejection of gnosticism.  There were persistent questions about the deity of Jesus and its meaning.  (If, as the Jews firmly believe, there is only one God, what does it mean for Jesus to be God?)

Some of these early controversies are even visible in the New Testament writings.  In the letter to the Hebrews, Jesus is described (in Hebrews 1:3) as the "exact representation" of God.  (As a mathematician who studies representation theory, I find this an impressive phrasing!)  The first letter of John (I John) is likely written to confront gnostic claims (see docetism) that Jesus was just spiritual, not physical.

Once Christianity became entwined within the politics and power of the Roman empire (ca 380 CE, with Constantine's conversion), religious beliefs and accompanying disputes were much trickier, as they often reflected political machinations instead of spiritual concerns.  I have little to say here regarding the politico-religious machinations of medieval Europe -- or of modern America....

Spiritual divisions, when the occurred, were often driven (originally) by one group's belief that the other group was not truly Christian.  It was one thing to suggest a division within the Church; it is quite another to suggest renewal (reform) away from those perceived to no longer be in the Church. This explains (partially) the Protestant Reformation and even earlier divisions.  It explains, partially, the various divisions within Protestant Christianity today.

However, today, there are a variety of divisive Protestant groups, proud of their separation from other believers.  These divisions, done with arrogance and human pride, are excessive and contrary to the unity of Christ.  I have been a member and leader in a variety of churches, Disciples of Christ, Baptist, Evangelical Free and Presbyterian.  I was confirmed in the Episcopalian Church and I have devout family members who are Catholic.  It has been my experience that the Holy Spirit is at work in believers and disciples in all of these churches and I will be happy to hug, support and pray with anyone who says, in sincerity, "I seek to follow Jesus."  In that manner, I think I can say (with Paul) "I have the mind of Christ."

Tomorrow we return to our study in First Corinthians.