Articles From Our Bulletins
The Only Ones Here
Part 1:
It goes something like this: “A new busload of souls was being given an introductory tour of heaven. The tour guide pointed to the left, “Here the Pente-costals are partying. Then over there are the Baptists rejoicing. On the right we see the Methodists singing hymns.” As the bus traveled further it came to another group and the guide asks for quiet. “That is where the Church of Christ is and they think they are the only ones here.”
When I heard this joke re-cently I realized that no ill-will was meant by the one telling it or by those who laughed. Yet as I smiled at the joke I felt frustrated at being misunderstood and misrepresented. The attitudes and teachings of the Church of Christ implied by the joke, although, I’m sure, are true for some, are not true for me and many others. For those interested, here is my attempt to not be misunderstood.
First, most of Christendom has much in com-mon. We share many important beliefs. We believe that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and then rose again the third day (1 Cor. 15:1-4). We believe in the Triune Godhead, the inspiration of the Bible, and sal-vation only in Christ. In addition, here are three beliefs that are less popular but we all should share (for they are clearly taught in the Bible). These beliefs pertain directly to what I would like us to consider:
1. Each of us will enter either Heaven or Hell at the Judgment Day (Matt. 25:46).
2. Not everyone, in fact not even the majority will make it to heaven (Matt 7:13,14).
3. The ONLY reliable source of truth about Heaven and Hell is the Bible, God’s Word (2 Tim. 3:16,17).
Let’s recognize that since God gave us the Bible to help us, we can trust Him to make His revelation under-standable. Also since the Bible is revealed truth, it does not contradict itself. Obviously when people have differ-ent understandings on a Bible subject, one or more of them is wrong.
Denominationalism
To me the greatest misconception, the most pervasive religious error implied by the “only ones here” joke is the idea that denominationalism is acceptable to God. Of course the idea in the joke that heaven is divid-ed into different denominational areas is a fiction that no one believes. Yet, think about it, why should we feel God is pleased with denominational divisions here on earth? The joke exposes a serious fallacy much of Chris-tendom has blindly accepted – that our Lord is pleased with His believers being divided, that He tolerates be-lievers in hundreds of different groups opposing each other in doctrine and practice.
But what does the Bible say? Is denomination-alism acceptable to God? What does God approve? What does He condemn?
First, let’s listen to our Lord’s prayer the night before He was crucified. After He first prayed for His apostles, He continued: "I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” [John 17:20-21 ESV] How can we hear that prayer and think that denominationalism pleases our Lord?? The very essence of denominationalism is division – divi-sion that does turn many in the world away from be-lieving in Christ, just as Jesus said it would.
Next, read the chastisement the inspired apos-tle Paul wrote to the church in Corinth:
“I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe's people that there is quarrel-ing among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," or "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Cephas," or "I follow Christ." Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you bap-tized in the name of Paul?” [1Co 1:10-13 ESV]
Today on a much larger scale we have the same divisiveness as the Holy Spirit condemned in Corinth. Today one says “I am a Baptist.” Another, “I’m a Lutheran.” And on and on. Paul’s question should challenge us today: “Is Christ divided?” How good and moral and zealous for the Lord the members of various denominations may be, the division of de-nominationalism cannot be right. Realizing that, we agonize over them as Paul did over his fellow Jews: “Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them wit-ness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.“ [Rom 10:1-2 NKJV]
One day many years ago our daughter Julie came home from high school to tell us of a conversa-tion she had with friends during lunch. Their talk went to religion and what kinds of Christians they were. As they went around the table one said “I am a Methodist Christian.” Others said, “a Lutheran Christian,” “a Catholic Christian,” and so on. When they came to Julie she said, “I’m a Christian, just a Christian.” What surprised her was the negative reaction: “You can’t be just a Christian!” You’ve got to be some kind of Chris-tian!”
Friends, isn’t what they said cannot be done, exactly what our Lord wants? Should we not all simply be Christians?
Part 2:
The previous article began my response to the joke about the Church of Christ which ends with “They think they are the only ones here (in heaven).” In that article we looked at the error of denomination-alism. Christ prayed that all believers might be one. Let’s commit to doing what we can to make that true. We should not accept the divisiveness inherent in denominationalism. Let’s whole-heartedly be Christians, Christians only.
Is Joining the Answer?
Many seem to recognize that our Lord is not pleased with the divisions of denominations, but still join a denomination. This brings us from the first misconcep-tion implied in the joke, that de-nominationalism is acceptable to God, to the second misconception - that we can effectively call for unity of all believers when we are a part of and support divi-sion. Although agreeing that Jesus has not endorsed nor encouraged denominationalism, many see no oth-er path than to join a denomination. (Yet in many, if not most communities, we can find a group of believ-ers that are Christians only.) Then, while in a denomi-nation, they personally refuse to partake of the parti-san spirit that brought about the denominations. They make a point of minimizing differences and encourag-ing any inter-denominational efforts. I appreciate those who clearly choose to be peacemakers and con-demn a factious spirit. Yet isn’t it still true that the very act of being in a denomination endorses what Je-sus prayed against?
Maybe our Savior gives us an example to fol-low. When Jesus walked in Ju-dea the Jews had something similar to our denominations. Pharisees (conservative, legal-ists), Sadducees (liberals, mod-ernists), Zealots (against Roman rule) and Herodians (friends of the Romans), are mentioned in the scriptures. Jesus did not identify with any party, but simply spoke of Israel and God’s people. He challenged any error in any group and en-couraged truth, whoever might be speaking. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we today would follow our Savior’s example and encourage truth, reject error, and simply keep our-selves clean of any denominational contamination?
Certainly this is possible for any of us to do. We can believe and follow all the truths Catholics be-lieve without being a Catholic. We can believe and fol-low all the truths Baptists believe without being a Bap-tist. And so on.
“You’re not facing reality,” some might re-spond, “You are a member of the Church of Christ, a denomination. You’re the pot calling the kettle black.”
Yes, there are denominations named Church of Christ. And yes, I and those with whom I have close fellowship do struggle at times to steer clear of denominational thinking. But No, I refuse to see my-self as a part of a denomination. Am I deceiving my-self? If so, help me see it. Where in my thinking have I jumped track or confused the issue? Am I just playing a game of semantics by refusing to use denominational names and terminology? I hope not. I am conscien-tiously trying to respond to my Lord and His stated desire that we all be one. I pray that I and all who love the truth have the wisdom and courage to please our Lord by doing what we can to be one.
I see the situation as analogous to a deck of cards in which the printer includes a blank card. The cards are all denominated except that blank card. They are divided into four suits and further named ace through king. We can separate all the diamonds, or all the kings, or all the face cards, etc. But what about the blank card? What is its name? Just as my daughter an-swered, “I am a Christian,” so we would answer it is just a card, it doesn’t have a name. How wonderful it would be if we all were in heart, soul, and practice just Christians!
We use “Church of Christ” because it is a spe-cific phrase used in the scriptures to refer to congrega-tions of Christians (Romans 16:16). It is interesting that in a number of creeds and religious writings the same phrase is used as a way to refer to all believers seen as a whole. I personally, when making out a con-tribution check or when writing about the church I have joined, use the phrase “church of Christ” (“church” not capitalized) to remind myself that my allegiance is to Christ alone and not to a “Church of Christ” denomination.
Who Cares?
Some, including some in the Church of Christ, leave the impression that they are better than others and would shed no tears if they observed others being eternally lost. As within the joke, some would only be happy in heaven if they felt they were the only ones there. How very sad.
Yet, on the other hand, how dangerous it is to feel that our desire for all to go to heaven determines reality. Let’s not forget that the Bible clearly reveals that “few will find” that narrow way to heaven (Matt. 7:14). Would it be fair to consider the possibility that the joke’s “put down” of those in the Church of Christ might cover up a self-deception in which we willfully forget the Bible truth that most will not make it?
It is human nature when told we are wrong to quickly deny it and even attack the messenger. Paul challenged this human tendency when, as he rebuked the Christians in Galatia, he questioned, “Have I be-come your enemy because I tell you the truth?” (Galatians 4:16) At least let’s acknowledge that we should not assume that the one with bad news is happy about the bad news. Maybe the church of Christ is known for questioning the salvation of those in denominationalism. If you face such a challenge, I pray for two reactions. First, don’t judge me prideful because I bear bad news. My heart breaks at the thought of souls being lost. Second, do seriously con-sider what the scriptures teach about this and respond as your love for the Lord would dictate.
Part 3:
The joke about members of the Church of Christ think-ing they are the only ones in heaven brought a good laugh but also deserves a serious response. In the first two articles we’ve looked at the error of denomination-alism, attempts to correct the problem, and the tendency to misunderstand the motives of any who condemn de-nominationalism. This brings us to another misconcep-tion, Who is going to heaven? To hell? Who decides?
Who Decides?
We tend to pass judgment all too quickly. We trap one another into it with questions like “Do you think he will go to hell for doing that?” or “You mean a person will be con-demned to hell if he doesn’t believe this?” In putting a person on the spot like that we are implying we think they won’t go to hell (because we are more loving?). The best re-sponse to such questions is “Let’s find out what God Himself has re-vealed in His word.”
Such final judgments are, and always have been, God’s business. We do not think very well when we try to sit on God’s throne and do what only He has the right to do. We end up judging not only the final destiny of others, but the very Law of God itself. James warns us about such a serious blunder: “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neigh-bor? (James 4:11,12)
While on the subject of wearing God’s hat, we must remember that we make the same mistake when we excuse someone (including ourselves) for not obeying God. We imply that we have decided that per-son will be going to heaven any-way. Christ alone decides each person’s destiny (2 Cor. 5:10).
Discussing Differences
Finally, overshadowing all these considerations are the many different doctrines and practices among the denominations. These differences must be faced scripturally. But first there is the problem of indifference. I see so much indiffer-ence when it comes to conflicting doctrines and prac-tices. A friend recently stated what seems to be a pre-vailing attitude, “Love is what is important, not all our differences.”
Yes, according to Jesus, love is of prime importance. “And one of the scribes came up and heard them dis-puting with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus answered, ‘The most im-portant is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.” [Mark 12:28-31]
However, Jesus also said, "If you love me, you will keep my commandments. [John 14:15] Jesus empha-sized this connection between loving Him and obeying Him by almost immediately stating, "He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me.” [John 14:21] Indifference to our Lord’s will is not a loving attitude. For many the love of truth is smothered by the love other things (whether it be a pet doctrine, their family, some tradition, or whatever).
When we acknowledge that doctrine and practice are important, we need to frankly discuss our differences assuming the best of each other unless proven other-wise. We can do this when all parties are humble enough to admit to ourselves as well as to others that we do not have a perfect grasp of everything in the Bible.
But there is another stumbling block. We won’t seri-ously study unless we have confidence in our ability to learn what the Bible teaches on a subject. Or maybe we actually need more confidence in God’s ability to provide us with an understandable revelation. We need to turn to God in humble prayer, expressing our desire to understand His will. We need to ask Him to bless us with wisdom and insight as we search His word. And we need to then have confidence in the Holy Spirit’s help.
With these attitudes, and a conscientious commitment to obey “the royal law” (James 2:8 “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”) and the golden rule, we can succeed in helping each other learn the truth. We each think ourselves to be right and so others who differ to be wrong. That is a given. To please God, though, let’s strive not to prove ourselves right, but to hold up the Bible as the source of all truth.
In this day when many of our leaders set such a poor example, remember that there is a world of difference between scriptural argumentation respectfully and forcefully presented and angry name-calling and ridi-cule, between manipulation and reason. When we get to the point in our discussion when no one is learning, compromising our faith should not be an option. At times, because of our conflicting practices, we would have to go our separate ways, for we should expect our love for God to be more important than our fel-lowship with each other. But even then our love for one another and prayers for each other should contin-ue.
I Want You There Too!
The only ones in heaven will be those who are Christians. Those purchased by the blood of the lamb, sealed by the Holy Spirit, and saved by grace as they trust and obey. I want to be included. I want you to be there too!
My understanding of the gospel, God’s power for sal-vation, leads me to fear many will not make it. If I’m wrong I’ll rejoice with the angels. If I am right, would-n’t it be an act of love on my part to warn and teach as given opportunity? If I am wrong, won’t you exercise your love for me? Help me leave my error and rejoice in the truth.
