Most of the church would agree that we do not all agree on everything. Most would also agree that disagreement is not grounds for separating, as long as we all love Jesus and follow Him. That’s great. In theory. The truth is most of the church has no idea how to live this out well. At best we tolerate those who disagree with us and call it unity. If the disagreement is wide enough we form our own “independent” (another way of saying “we don’t want to have to agree with another group”) church or stream. Then we try to force anyone who wants to be part of our new stream to agree with us. I’m not being critical or judging here. But is this not what has happened over the past 500 years? It’s an observation. I’m not judging their hearts, just observing their behavior.

The stream I am currently part of has a saying “We gather around relationship, not around agreement.” That is an amazing statement considering the church environment we have been in for hundreds of years. The truth is most places gather around agreement. They have a statement of faith, which really amounts to a creed, that they follow. It has a list of “We believe”-s. I have seen long creeds and short creeds, but they are still creeds. The Apostle’s creed is seen as the most basic one of these. Most of these statements of faith start with the basic elements of the Apostle’s creed and then add their little nuances to it. Some start with the Nicene creed. Some of the more liturgical streams actually recite these creeds as part of their liturgy. It’s a pretty clear observation that they hold these creeds in high regard and that they gather around agreement with their creed.

Now I am going to switch sides. Having said all I have just said, I do believe it is necessary to define what makes a person a Christian. I am not a universalist in that sense. Everyone is not a Christian. I think you’d have to be pretty naïve or kind of simple minded to think that everyone is a Christian no matter what they believe. There are obviously Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, atheists, etc. They all believe very differently. So we need some criteria to be able to say someone is a Christian or they aren’t. The creeds provide this to a degree. But can someone agree to the creeds and still not be a Christian? I believe so. To me a simple definition of a Christian is someone who is aware of and participating in following Jesus and the indwelling of Christ. I realize many would also add someone who has given the life to Jesus. I’m ok with that. That implies that you believe in God, that he exists and is a rewarder of those who seek him. It also implies that you believe certain basic things about Jesus. That is that he was a real person, that he gave His life, and that He rose from the dead. But you can agree to all this and still not be a Christian. A true Christian is a mystical thing. It’s supernatural. You must believe that Jesus or God is actually living in you. And not only believe it mentally, but be very aware of that presence. You also must believe that you are living in Him. That you are where He is. Whether that be on the throne in heaven or in the homeless camp at the end of the street. So then, I ask the opposite question. Can someone be aware of Jesus in them and around them, and not believe the creeds? Yes. Are they a Christian? Maybe they are, maybe they are not. If for you a Christian has to be actively involved with and associated with a church or stream, then they are not a Christian. But if for you being aware of Jesus’ presence in you and around you is all you need, then they are a Christian, though they may never call themselves that.

So to conclude, how do we define unity? How do we all get along without creating more and more division and strife over beliefs? Maybe beliefs should not be the criteria at all. Or maybe they should but also the witness of the Spirit? Or just the witness of the Spirit. It’s a dicey issue, one that will require an reformation to resolve I think. I am part of that reformation and I don’t know how that looks. In the history on humanity this has never been achieved. But I will not give up trying. I want Jesus to have His reward. Contrary to some I don’t believe that is the salvation of all, because for me that was already achieved. Jesus’ reward is His bride, without spot or wrinkle. What a glorious day it will be when all people alive on the Earth stop dividing over beliefs. It believe it’s coming. I have hope! Let’s each do our part.