The modern Christian church is well known for its splintered nature: the Roman Catholics, the Anglicans, the Lutherans, the Calvinists, the Orthodox, the Pentecostals. It is well known how Christians have hurt other professing Christians because of differences in doctrine, killing in the name of the God of love. Families, communities, and churches have been broken apart because of differences of opinion on scriptural interpretation and church organization. While there have been efforts towards reconciliation or working together for a common goal, the church has remained segmented, often at animosity with other parts of the body of Christ.
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 against church division, and what happened in a minor scale in the church of Corinth has happened on a major scale in the church at large. People were claiming Paul as their head, others Peter, others Christ. They splintered off, believing that the pieces of each could not coexist. Today, the church is doing the same. Some say they follow the original apostles, some the Pope, some Luther, some Calvin, some the Holy Spirit. We are no better than the church in Corinth. We have made their struggle one that has encompassed the Church in her entirety.
I do not know how to solve the differences; I am no better than a whistle blowing as a house is burning. But I believe it is better to recognize where we are in the context of history than to ignore or dismiss it because the past may enlighten how to proceed for the future. Lord, have mercy on your church.
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