CHRISTIAN UNITY

CHRISTIAN UNITY

Throughout history Christians have allowed themselves to be divided by many issues, some of which are theological and some of which are not. It has come to be recognised that these divisions have often been a hindrance to the propagation of the gospel, leading Christians to long for unity. In many Asian countries, political persecution and nationalism have also drawn Christians together.

Ultimately, however, our union should not be rooted in sociopolitical realities but simply in the work of God, the Holy Spirit. Jesus prayed for unity among his disciples, asking “that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I in you. May they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (John 17:21).

Why did he ask this? Because he knew the frailty of human beings and understood that our diversity in character, perceptions, views and thinking was bound to cause division. The unity he prayed for was both vertical (spiritual unity between us and God) and horizontal (unity among ourselves). The psalmist was referring to this horizontal unity when he wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Ps 133:1). Such unity bears witness to the faith.

Unity between Christians can be expressed in many ways and at many levels. The ecumenical movements of the twentieth century pressed for organic unity and encouraged denominations in India to come together to form the Church of North India (CNI) and the Church of South India (CSI). This unity was extended to the conciliar level with the formation of the Joint Council of the CSI, CNI and Mar Thoma Church, which is today known as the Communion of Churches in India. On the regional level, the councils of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have formed the South Asia Council of Churches (SACC), while on the worldwide level these groups form part of the World Council of Churches, a federation that aims to bring different Christian groups together to exchange ideas and share resources.

Organic unity is not the only way in which we can express Christian unity. Our unity is also shown when Christian leaders from different denominations gather for theological discussion of issues affecting this region. Such discussions can lead to joint action on issues related to human rights and religious freedom. They can also lead to different groups working together to produce Christian literature (such as this commentary) or cooperating in running orphanages, widow-rehabilitation centres, old-age homes, hospices for the terminally ill and those affected by HIV/AIDS, and so on.

But it is not only leaders who can act to demonstrate Christian unity. On the local level, churches can encourage Christians to form prayer networks to pray for their community. They can also combine to organise Christian festivals, where Christians from different churches can come together and discover how they can worship together, participate in mission together and serve the community together.

Such expressions of unity help us to understand what Paul means in 1 Corinthians 12 when he uses the body to illustrate unity in diversity within the church. The basis for our unity is not that we are alike in all respects, but that we form one body, united in one Spirit, called to one hope, having professed in baptism our one faith in the one Lord, and we worship our one God and Father (Eph 4:4-6). This concept of unity is both spiritual and organic.