Another Year of Choices
By Barbara Dahlgren
It excites me when denominations try to focus on what they have in common and not what separates them. I remember sitting at a Women of Faith Conference where Chonda Pierce actually had women laughing at the diversity in their denominations. Ladies from Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Lutheran, Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, Mormon and Adventist churches were all there. Women weren’t laughing at each other; they were laughing with one another. We all laughed together at beliefs that separate us, but even better, we all rejoiced over the one who unites us – Jesus Christ.
Christians would be happier, healthier, and less judgmental if they would put aside diversities that separate them and focus on what they all have in common – Jesus Christ.
Satan has a plan that has worked to destroy man from beginning of time. It’s called “divide and conquer.” A house or church divided against itself cannot stand. If we allow our differences to divide us, Satan wins. If we allow our faith in Jesus and love of God to unite us, we win. This can only happen if we yield to God and let His love guide us.
My best friend since the second grade is a Christian. We’ve spent many hours discussing God’s greatness and goodness. We’ve marveled at how God has sustained us in times of need, comforted us in times of sorrow, and given us strength in times of weakness. Although we are both Christians, we belong to different denominations, so a few times we’ve debated things we view differently. It was not productive. Since these are areas that would divide us, not unite us, we’ve decided not to go there. Instead we focus on our core beliefs which are the same.
Here’s a little history lesson… When Christianity was beginning, new philosophies began to influence the church. Then persecution came, so in the first three centuries the church was often forced into secrecy and seclusion. As a result, many theological disputes arose. Movements which I like to call “…isms” began. In addition to the traditional legalism there was Arianism, Asceticism, Gnosticism, Antinomianism, Monarchianism, Manicheanism, Docetism – just to name a few.
When Constantine became the Roman Emperor in 306, he converted to Christianity. By 313 his Edict of Milan proclaimed religious tolerance throughout his empire. Christians no longer had to hide what they believed. However, with various teachings creeping into Christian belief, Constantine soon discovered Christianity divided over certain issues.
To bring unity, he convened a council of 318 bishops in the year 325 that met in the city of Nicaea. The result was the Nicene Creed, which affirmed the divinity of Jesus. It was confirmed and revised by 150 other bishops in the First Council of Constantinople in 381 to assure the Holy Spirit was worshipped and glorified with the Father and the Son.
The Nicene/Constantinople Creed is still a standard of belief for many Christian churches today. Below is the 1975 ecumenical version agreed upon by the International Consultation on English Texts (ICET) and published in The Book of Common Prayer. The reference to “the holy catholic Church” refers to the universal church, not the denomination. If we read it carefully, we will see it serves to unite Christians, not divide them.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, light from light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, by the power of the Holy Spirit he was born of the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father [and the Son]. Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified. Who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
Consider this… If this is our core belief, then this is where our focus should be. It’s all about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit… and Jesus is at the center… at the very core!
Suggestions for practicing this choice…
- For one whole week start your day by reading this creed. It will help you remember what you truly believe.
- Remember that what unites us is stronger than what divides us, if what unites us is Jesus.
- Think about Galatians 3:28: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for we are all one in Christ Jesus.”
- Ask God to help you solidify your core beliefs so you won’t get tossed to and fro with peripheral issues or every new-age idea that comes along. (Ephesians 4:14)
- Ask God to help you keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. He is the author and finisher of your faith! (Hebrews 12:2)
