On Divisions In The Church

Courier-Times Christian Perspectives Article for 11/14/09

Three weeks ago a brother in Christ took issue with these words that I wrote the week previous: "The Bible speaks very clearly about the sanctity of life; about our responsibility to the poor, the orphaned and the widow; about God's view of homosexual behavior."

I try to follow the guidance of C.S. Lewis, who stated in Mere Christianity, "Our divisions should never be discussed except in the presence of those who have already come to believe that there is one God and that Jesus Christ is His only Son." But I would like to take this opportunity to discuss WHY there are divisions in the church, and divisions with peoples of other faith systems.

A friend of mine, and national speaker for women and youth events, Lori Salierno, says that there are three general areas of belief in the church: standards, convictions, and preferences. For example, divisions in the church about the style of worship are preference differences. Scripture does not speak directly to these issues.

Divisions among believers about the day for worship, the appropriate age for baptism, the manner of baptism (i.e. sprinkling or dunking), and women in ministry are based on conviction. In other words, we believe the Spirit of God has convicted us that "this" way is the way God wants "us" to behave. We don't deny that other Christians have a different understanding. We don't call them non-Christian, or believe that they are sinning. However, if we act in a way, different than the way that God has convicted us to follow, we would be committing an act of sin.

Finally, standards are truths that scripture declares are true for all people, for all times. If someone opposes a standard, the bible calls those actions "sin". The church doesn't label it a sin; individuals don't label it a sin; it is the bible that labels those actions as sins.

While there are some Christ-followers that will identify as standards, the things that I identify as preferences and convictions, most believers will acknowledge these three general areas of belief in the church.

In the late 1960's, intellectuals began toying with an idea called "deconstruction". This idea states that you cannot know what a writer "actually" meant, so you, the reader, must deconstruct what is written and decide for yourself what you think the author meant. In other words, you re-construct what is written in the way that you think it should be read. Actually, the first deconstrucionalist was the serpent in the garden, "That's not what God really meant; you won't surely die."

Armed with this new tool, people have been deconstructing documents for over 40 years and re-constructing them according to their own preference.

They deconstructed the First Amendment to the Constitution which reads: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. "Surely freedom of speech doesn't mean ALL forms for speech." As a result we have a new type of crime: Hate speech. Additionally, religious expression is being restrained by public law on several fronts.

They deconstructed the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. "Surely they didn't understand that we would need National Health Care." As a result, we are well on our way to a government-run health care system; a power that was not enumerated in the Constitution.

There are also those who deconstruct scripture. Where scripture is clear but uncomfortable, some say, "That's not what God REALLY meant." Sadly, this is where some divisions among believers occur in the area of standards. In past generations this re-construction of scripture was called heresy. Now we timidly say, "That's your understanding of truth; not mine."

As to areas of agreement, my brother is correct in saying that what brings us together is far more important than the things that separate us. But that is also true of my Jewish and Muslim friends. These faith systems, as well as Christianity, all count the Hebrew Scriptures in the Old Testament as holy scripture. There are many areas in which we can all agree. But the areas that divide us are significant.

For example, the Jewish faith does not accept every scripture we accept (i.e. The New Testament). In the other instance, the Muslim faith accepts, as scripture, documents we cannot accept (i.e. The Koran). Interestingly, they are both battling attacks by those who wish to deconstruct their holy scriptures.

This week we celebrated the veterans that have served this country by fighting for and defending freedom in all of its forms. Many of them died for the truths that we find in the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. They didn't worry about what the Founders of this nation "really" thought. They clearly understood what was at stake and what the cost could be. They fought for freedom. All gave some; some gave all.

Deconstruction has done damage to the fabric of America and has resulted in the loss of some of the freedoms they fought and died for. Deconstruction has resulted in the creation of an expanded hate crimes law. Someday, we will be reading the report of an individual being charged under this new law for simply speaking his or her mind and defending biblical truth. It could be your pastor. It could be me. It could be you. We were warned and failed to do enough to defend the right to freedom of speech. Someday, someone will have to fight to win it back.

Deconstruction is doing damage to the unity of the church; the unity of all believers who claim to follow Christ. If we begin throwing out the passages of scripture that make us uncomfortable, soon we will have little left that we can call scripture; little left that unites us. Fortunately, scripture defends itself very well, if we have faith to believe what it says.

There is another truth that is clearly spelled out in Scripture. Faith in Christ means more that simply acknowledging that He exists; it means being obedient to His Word. Those who wish to debate this truth will have their opportunity one day, face-to-face with the Author of Truth. Personally, my debate with scripture is done; the Word won.

Questions or comments? Write curt@smdcog.org


You can find more at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).

Also at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)

Thanks for reading!

Wrap-up Journal Post, Wednesday, September 17

2:26 PM – Thank you for your prayers and financial support during my trip. It was exciting to see God working in the lives of so many people.

The trip was fully funded and I was able to give some money to the school for leadership development and to the Bernhardts for their ministry in Indonesia. While I was there I also gave books from my personal library to Pastor Maryono, Kim Linegar (US History and Bible Teacher), and Mike MacLean (Music Teacher). I also left music for “Hail to the King” and will be sending some of my original songs and arrangements to the church and the school.

Things for you to pray about include:
1. Pray for the local church (GJKI – The Christian Church in Indonesia) and for Pastor Maryono as they share the good news with people in Salatiga.

2. Pray for Pastor Maryono’s brother Martino who is spearheading the house church movement in Salatiga.


3. Pray for Pastor Maryono and his wife as they raise 2-year-old Samuel. God miraculously provided the pastor’s home for Samuel when he was born to a young woman who could not raise Samuel herself.

4. Pray for the female Islamic student Okta, as the Holy Spirit is working in her life to bring her to Salvation in Christ.

5. Pray for the English professor Hamam, as he seeks to come to the US to complete his doctorate. I believe the Holy Spirit is working in Hamam’s life as well.

6. Pray for the Indonesian Christians during the rest of September, which is the Islamic holy month, Ramadan.

7. Pray for Gideon, the gamelan instructor who uses his skill with the traditional Javanese instruments and shadow puppets to present the gospel of Christ in the local villages.

8. Pray for the Worship Seminar participants and the Mountainview students who lead worship on a regular basis, that they may be able to lead God’s people together in worship.

9. Pray for Salab Putih, the Christian retreat center in Salatiga, as they are coming under political attack to give up much of their land to the Islamic community so that a mosque can be built in its place.

10. Pray for the 9th Grade Bible Class at Mountainview that they will develop a passion for the Word of God.

11. Pray for Jeremy, the speaker for the youth retreat, and his wife as they prepare to move to a remote island in Indonesia to be missionaries to a formerly un-reached people group.

12. Pray for the 11th and 12th Grade Leadership Class as they develop their leadership skills and prepare to use those skills to advance the kingdom of God.

13. Pray for my small group of 7th Graders at Mountainview. They are experiencing the newness of school and/or the newness of boarding at school. Pray that God will help them assimilate into the school and that they will develop good Christian friendships.

14. Pray for the college-aged friends of Sharon and Casey as they try to live a Christian life in a predominately Muslim nation.

15. Pray for the staff at Mountinview International Christian School as they minister to students from several nations.

16. Pray for Sharon, Casey, Ryan, Niko, and a new little Bernhardt to be born in a few months as they have committed to serving Christ in Indonesia. Pray for their financial provision and for their protection as they are both Christian and foreigners.


Some Of Things I Gained By Traveling To Indonesia
A deeper understanding of our freedom in Christ. We talk about our freedom from the bondage to sin and that is a wonderful freedom, but it is not the extent of our freedom. We are also freed from the law, freed from do’s and don’ts.

When we give to someone in need, we are not trying to earn entry into heaven, or a bigger mansion when we get there. Christ has purchased our entry into heaven, and He is preparing a place for us even now. When we give, we are free to give out of the compassion the God has placed in our hearts – no strings attached, no ulterior motives.

The freedom that we have is a freedom to respond to God’s call or people’s needs out of love and compassion alone, without the burden of trying to earn positive points for judgment day.

A deep love for the people of Indonesia and an insight into God’s love for all people. It’s hard to explain but after a few short hours in Indonesia I had developed a deep passion for the people of Indonesia. It was a supernatural love, not based on personal observations or relationships. It was the love of God for these people, being lived out in my heart.

With this new found passion, I also re-imagined God’s passion for all people. There are people in Bulgaria that God loves deeply; there are people in Orissa, India that God loves passionately; there are people in Henry County, Indiana that are deeply loved by God. Our job is to find those people and tell them of His love.

A clearer concept of how we should minister to Muslims. By explaining our freedom from the law and our freedom to serve others, we can highlight the bondage that Islam brings to its people. We can also share that God is both transcendent (very other, very removed from us) and imminent (very near, very intimate with us). He wants to hear our concerns and our sorrows. He wants to share in our joys and triumphs. Prayer is more than a scripted exercise five times a day; it is communion with God Almighty, our Creator and Friend.

A fuller understanding of the power and work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is at work in our lives and in our world. He goes before us as we minister and comes behind us when we leave or are called away. He is at work in a female teenaged student of Islam. He is at work in the English professor at the Islamic University. He is at work in the church in Salatiga. He is at work in the heart of an unwed mother. He is at work in the prayer life of a busy pastor. He is at work in the dreams of a frightened 7th grader. He is at work in the study of a US history teacher. He is at work in the Karate training sessions of a Muslim guard. He is at work in the homes of missionaries around the globe. He is at work in the busy, sometimes frantic preparation of a music minister from New Castle.

A clearer understanding that passion is a result of our interaction and communion with God. Passion is a gift that God gives us as we explore His heart, read from His word, and listen to His Holy Spirit. We can then use this gift to fuel our work in the harvest of souls. As a result we give the gift back to God and the cycle begins anew. Passion is a gift FROM God and a gift FOR God, and is a direct result of our interaction and communion with God. If you want to develop a godly passion, spend time with Him.

A lower tolerance for spiritually-autistic Christians. We have nothing to complain about; especially as American Christians. We are often consumed by the latest fad, or hottest news story, or brightest star in Hollywood. Many of the things that consume our time and finances are simply here for a time and tomorrow they will be gone. Even our finances themselves are destined to fade away. We are blessed beyond measure, but we are often ignorant of the needs that our time and finances could help resolve. We will not be found innocent on that day when Jesus says, “I was naked and you did not clothe me, I was hungry . . .” What are we holding on to? Why are we holding on to them? Are we finding security, or fulfillment, or joy in something, or someplace, or someone other than Christ?

Thanks again for making it possible for me to travel to Indonesia. It is a beautiful country full of people that God loves deeply. Thanks for your prayers. There was never a moment that I felt afraid or unprotected. Thanks for your support of Cheryl and the girls. It was a long time for me to be gone, and I’m sure that your prayers helped sustain them in my absence.

During a final interview last Tuesday, Annaliese, the journalism student at Mountainview, asked me if I felt I had completed all that God wanted me to do In Indonesia. That question sounded a little too final to me. Yes, I believe I was faithful in doing everything God wanted me to do. But I would not be surprised if, instead of the final Indonesian chapter, this is chapter one in a larger story. I can’t wait to see what God has in store for us in the coming days!

You can find more trip pictures at my Facebook Page (http://www.new.facebook.com/profile.php?id=504321719).

They are also posted at my Flickr.com Page (http://www.flickr.com/photos/curtisferrell/)


If you want to support Sharon and Casey or Mountainview International Christian School, let me know in the comment section and I'll forward their contact information.