Cincinnati Church of Christ: Good News You Can Use!
COME TO THE WATERS!
Comments from the ACU Lectureship
By Gregg Marutzky, Dallas/Ft. Worth Church of Christ
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no
money, come, buy and eat! Come; buy wine and milk without money and without
cost. Why spend money on what are not bread, and your labor on what does not
satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good and your soul will delight
in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me that your soul
may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my
faithful love promised to David." Isaiah 55:1-3
An historic event took place at Abilene Christian University during their annual Bible Lectureship this past week. A forum was held for representatives from the mainline Church of Christ and the International Church of Christ. Public discussions were held for the purpose of understanding the split which occurred in the late eighties between the two groups. Both fellowships of churches are from the Restoration Movement heritage. A spirit of humility and reconciliation was evident in the conversations between Gordon Ferguson, Mike Taliaferro, Al Baird, and Gregg Marutzky for the ICOC and Jack Reese, John Wilson, Jim Woodruff, and Terry Smith for the mainline.
The forum was held over the three days of the lectureship each afternoon for ninety minutes. The first afternoon the representatives from the ICOC apologized and took responsibility for many aspects of their ministry over the past twenty years which have contributed to the division and alienation between the churches. The second day the representatives from the mainline acknowledged their mutual responsibility and short-comings in the disunity and issued an apology. The third day of conversations focused on the future and possible areas of learning from one another. The mainline representatives acknowledged many areas of strength among ICOC churches which they could learn from us which included: church plantings, practical minister training, evangelism, and our multiracial culture. The ICOC expressed the desire to learn from the mainline in the areas of worship, formal minister training, spiritual formation, and family ministry.
Many lessons can be learned from the event. Division begins by disagreements and differences.
"What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your
desires that battle within you?" James 4:1
Debate and arguments produce hurt feelings. Separation takes place as people pull back from one another. Suspicion and mistrust sets in as both parties begin to polarize and focus on differences instead of commonality. Relationships break down as statements of disagreement are exchanged with increasing rhetoric and intensity. Labels and name-calling occurs to pigeon hole one another so interaction and conversation are no longer necessary. Lines of fellowship are drawn as politicking for each position takes place to gain support for each side. Internally the conscience is seared as each disciple rationalizes their contribution to the disunity in the body of Christ. Justification for quarreling and divisiveness gets reinforced by likeminded parties. Issues are given Biblical support through fervently surveying the scriptures for supporting verses. Rarely does careful exegesis occur to harmonize the entire revelation of God, but rather a careless proof-text alignment of pet scriptures to bolster one's forgone presuppositions and conclusions. Love and unity get lost in the process.
"If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the
sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is
conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in
controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife,
malicious talk, evil suspicions." 1 Timothy 6: 3-4
The importance of relationships for unity was obvious at the meeting. The meeting was precipitated by relationships in the first place, mainly by Gregg Marutzky's involvement in graduate studies at Pepperdine University in California and at ACU in Texas. He developed close relationships with Stuart and D'Esta Love at Pepperdine, and then with their son Mark, the lectureship coordinator at ACU. Other members of our panel had long standing relationships with leaders on the mainline panel or with others on the faculties of these schools. Many relationships from the past were reconnected, and many tears were evident. Some were from those who had been hurt personally by past experiences in our movement, or had friends who were. Many tears were shed simply by the thought that the division might be ending and fellowship restored.
Relationships form a bond of trust. As hearts connect then divisive issues are avoided and common ground is emphasized. Peace occurs as humility is expressed and apologizes are stated. Taking responsibility for sin melts hearts which may be bitter, angry and hard. Differences can remain real while a spirit of Christian harmony allows discussion and exchanges in ideas and methodology.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." Matthew 5:8
Essentials of faith are recognized while peripheral issues take secondary importance to unity. Unity is not uniformity. Unity with diversity allows for personality, creativity, imagination and freedom. Growth is renewed as the anchors of the past are released. The weight of unresolved baggage is exorcised as reconciliation occurs. Blessings begin to pour down as God is pleased with his people. The blinders and scales fall from our eyes as we realize God's perspective of our division and separation. The stark ugliness of isolation is reflected from the mirror of truth and shame follows. Humility and failure allows clear spiritual focus. No longer will we allow ourselves to view the world through a divisive, unmerciful lens. No longer will we be quick to separate. Rather in the future the lessons of patience, perseverance and forbearance will be practiced because the Kingdom is large enough for sinners like us. Hopefully, with this very positive re-establishment of relationships and spiritual dialogue, the future will allow us all to learn needed lessons of patience, perseverance and forbearance.
Where God will take this new beginning, only he knows. But those of us on the ICOC panel are grateful to have participated in a genuine attempt to build unity between two groups that share so much of a common history and doctrinal foundation. The four of us understand that we were speaking only for ourselves, a sentiment shared by the four panelists from the mainline church. Open dialogue conducted with a spirit of friendship, civility, and humility cannot fail to please God. To him we give thanks for allowing us this rare privilege, and to him we surrender the future as he works out his will for us all.
"In the last days the mountain of the Lord's temple will be established as chief among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and all nations will stream to it. Many peoples will come and say, 'Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.' The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore." Isaiah 2:2-4
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