June 10, 2002
EDITORIAL:
It's time to harmonize nationally in spirit of local unity
___Shortly before his crucifixion, Jesus spoke a beautiful prayer for his followers. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me," he pleaded (John 17:23).
___In retrospect, that prayer is heart-rending. Almost from the start, division, bitterness and infighting have undermined the Lord's plea for Christian unity. Many pages of church history have been written in blood drawn from Christians' veins by fellow believers. Several chapters were written in our own forebears' blood. In Europe, Anabaptists and Baptists were persecuted for refusing to baptize infants and to accommodate state-run religion.
___Unfortunately, Christian division is no respecter of continents. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Christians of many stripes fled Europe to the New World, seeking religious freedom. What they really wanted was their own religious freedom, not freedom for others. So, colonies and later even states proclaimed freedom for one faith but forbade it for others. After so many chapters of religious acrimony and disharmony, it's almost surprising any Christians remembered that on the opening pages of the first chapter of their common history, John the Evangelist records that Jesus prayed for "complete unity" of his followers.
___In the century just past, some Christians in America worked for harmony and unity. For the most part, Baptists in the South stood apart, declining to ride the ecumenical bandwagon. This is understandable for several reasons. First, the religious agenda of some of the so-called ecumenists was ecumenical in name only. They sought to bring all Christians under their banner, rallying around their causes but ignoring causes and doctrines other Christians hold dear. (I once interviewed a top official of a national ecumenical movement. I asked him what his organization was doing about evangelism. He gave me a blank stare.) Second, much of the ecumenical impetus was regional, strong in the Northeast and Midwest, adequate in the West and almost non-existent in the South. Third, Baptists and many other evangelicals and conservative Christians worried that vital doctrines and biblical understandings could be lost if subsumed under a movement they perceived to be doctrinally watered down. Fourth, many non-participants, including Baptists in the South, tended to be provincial and partisan and distrusted crossing regional and political lines. And fifth, perhaps Baptists in the South, so tied to our region and so concerned about our brand of faith, felt insecure and intimidated by the "big leagues" of national religious collaboration, afraid we could not hold our own when doctrine and polity were dissected.
___Ironically, Baptists, especially in the South, have been fabulous ecumenists on the local level. Our pastors have been leaders of local ministerial alliances. Our laity have worked famously with lay women and men--friends and neighbors--of other denominations. We have cooperated to conduct area evangelistic crusades; to worship together at Thanksgiving; to operate soup kitchens, food pantries and clothes closets. We have woven our hands and arms together to form a safety net for the "least of these" in our communities. We have walked side-by-side distributing "Jesus" videos. In towns and cities across Texas and beyond, we have been the body of Christ united--at the local level.
___This spring, a new, broader-based ecumenical movement has emerged, called Christian Churches Together in the USA. In the spirit of harmony that has characterized our work and fellowship locally for decades, the Baptist General Convention of Texas ought to consider getting involved.
___Unlike previous ecumenical movements, Christian Churches Together is an avowedly big-tent endeavor. In addition to mainstream Protestants, who formed the core of previous ecumenical movements, Christian Churches Together is involving conservative evangelical Protestants and Roman Catholics, as well as seeking out Pentecostals, parachurch groups like Habitat for Humanity and independent megachurches.
___Unlike previous efforts, this one will build upon "traditional Christian beliefs" that can be embraced broadly--the Trinity, salvation through Jesus Christ, "common prayer," speaking on consensus issues of concern with a "common voice" and promoting the "common good of society" by serving the poor and disenfranchised.
___Of course, we should consider this or any other alliance with eyes wide open. We do not wish to trade away vital issues of faith and practice. We do not wish to weaken our witness or affirm beliefs and actions we believe to be wrong. However, at the local level at least, we're really good at this. We know how to work with others to advance the Kingdom of God in our communities without losing our denominational distinctives. We are excellent at marshalling resources to meet needs. We offer a wealth of leadership and an army of willing, trained and disciplined workers. We can do this and please the One who prayed for our unity.
___Of course, the obvious: If Baptists can participate in Christian Churches Together, why can't they stop fighting and get along themselves? Have you ever watched a family feud closely? Sometimes the pain, distrust, grief, heartache and anger are so profound that family members have to work with and relate to friends and neighbors before they can sit down at a table with family again. Perhaps by cooperating with other Christians, Baptists in the South--the BGCT leading the way--will take a few steps on the road to reconciliation.
Respond at marvknox@baptiststandard.com.
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