Diversity In Unity
The aim of these articles has been to show that our differences are not incompatible. Readers will remember Bro. Roberts’ excellent defence, in the preface to ‘Nazareth Revisited’, of the differences in the various records left us by the inspired gospel narrators. He pointed out that “there are variations in the apostolic narratives, but variation is not error. Four men necessarily relate the same thing in different ways… Mental operation is too subtle a thing to be held in stereotyped grooves… The variations are due to the plurality of minds concerned in the production of the narratives… The variations are all variations of truth”.
Those who emphasise our differences have virtually fallen into the same error as the critics of the gospel narratives. There is such a thing as diversity in unity. We have an admirable illustration of the fact in Paul’s remarks regarding the differences in the Spirit gifts in the apostolic era — “diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit”; “differences of administrations, but the same Lord” (1 Cor. 12:4-5). A few further illustrations may not be amiss.
The Two Halves
We suggested earlier that some of our problems in this 40-year-old controversy have stemmed from the fact that one ‘side’ has focused its attention on the imperfection of Christ’s human nature; the other ‘side’ on the perfection of his character. Both aspects have their proper place.
Give two men the same object — say, half a glass of water each — and they will describe it differently. The pessimist complains: “My glass is half empty!” The optimist gratefully remarks: “My glass is half full!” Both, of course, are right, but are concentrating on different halves of the same thing.
The Concordant Symphony
Truth, like a musical composition, is a thing of many parts, even when considered in relation to a single subject.
Brethren harp about ‘differences’. I admit that, in the hands of a man with no knowledge of harmony, the bass and soprano notes in the same chord can be made to appear very different. They can be made to look still more different by those who, in addition to having no knowledge of harmony, have no desire for it.
To an instrumentalist in an orchestra, that which stands out most clearly is his own line of notes, but he must be generous enough to admit the rest. Both ‘A’ and ‘B’ have been selfish at times in the rendition of their parts. They have each insisted on presenting the composition as a solo—their solo—obliterating the other lines of thought-notes altogether.
I admit that occasionally we have each strayed a little from our true notes, and so produced a jarring discord. At other times we seem to have given a fortissimo interpretation to a pianissimo direction, and so disturbed the balance. Giving each line of notes its true place, and watching carefully the directions, our combined presentation could be a symphony of beauty instead of the raucous cacophony it sometimes has been.
The Magnificent Gem
Truth, too, is like an immense jewel with myriads of facets, each one reflecting light in some particular direction. How the spectators will see the light depends upon the position they occupy, for that fixes the angle at which they view the gem. It really will be worth their while to move around a little now and then, and so capture a glimpse of other facets and their light-rays, as seen by others.
The Exquisite Pattern
Yet again, Truth may be likened to a patterned fabric of countless threads, some cutting across the others, yet each contributing its part towards the finished splendour of the work. If an examiner concentrates all his attention upon the course of a single thread, he will assuredly fail to see the threads which other students see, and certainly will miss the beauty of the complete pattern.
The tabernacle veil, typical of `the flesh’ of Christ (Heb. 10:20), was a composite fabric of several colours; ‘and none of them is without signification’. We should endeavour to see all the colours and all the threads.
The Spectrum
Light, on analysis, yields the seven prismatic colours. Such is Truth. There are many parts to it — even to such subjects as ‘the nature of man’ and ‘the sacrifice of Christ’. Some brethren always see red; to others everything looks blue. But neither the red nor the blue constitute the light. Yet, despite their obvious dissimilarity, they do form fractions of the light. A man should endeavour so to direct the light of truth through the prism of his intellect as to be able to see the full spectrum in all its component shades.
‘Is Christ Divided?’
We descend from metaphor and simile to plain English. Christadelphians of Australia — and of lands beyond the seas — the stern, stark truth is this: YOUR DEVILISH DIVISION CAN NOT GO ON! By all the rules of reason and revelation it must cease, and cease immediately. In fact, the man who henceforth, knowing its emptiness, facilitates its extension, will conceivably imperil his own salvation.
Is Christ divided? It is an old question and there is no new answer. Paul’s reproof of the factious Corinthians in A.D.60 we must accept as our reproof today. Of us it can be said, as Paul wrote of them: “God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord” (1 Cor. 1:9). Then why, like them, do we say in our cloistered cliquishness, “I am of this fellowship” and “I am of that”?
Brethren may wish to rid themselves of this indictment, but they cannot do so. Its truth is proved by the fact that, when visiting an ecclesia some distance from home, it is not enough to establish the fact that you are an accredited brother of Christ. You still must answer the ‘vital’ question: “To what ‘fellowship’ do you belong?” How you answer that question will determine whether or not you are received, even though your interrogators may find — and admit — that you are personally `sound in the faith’!
The judgment of God is suspended for just a little while longer. God grant that brethren everywhere will use that ‘little while’ wisely.
The Inadequacy Of Knowledge
A sound theoretical knowledge of ‘the truth as it is in Jesus’ is a most desirable thing. It is not nearly sufficient, however, to qualify a man for the Kingdom of God. Some intellectual giants are spiritual pigmies — plenty of head, not enough heart. Knowledge puffs up; it is love that fills up. (1 Cor. 8:1).
The brother who has advanced no farther than the accumulation of knowledge still has a tremendous distance to cover before he has made his ‘calling and election sure’ (2 Peter 1:10). Here are the additional requirements, as supplied in the context: “Giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity (love)”. (vv. 5-7) There are no short cuts.
Brethren are fond of quoting John 17:3, “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom Thou hast sent”. How beautifully true it is, but I venture the suggestion that no man knows God, nor His Son Jesus Christ, who has not ‘listened in’ with rapt attention to this uniquely wonderful prayer (John 17) and captured the spirit it breathes: “Holy Father, keep through Thine own name those whom Thou hast given me, that they may be one, as we are… Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they ALL may be one” (vv. 11, 20, 21).
Wolves
Prowling through the brotherhood, and masquerading under the benign garb of shepherds of the flock, are the ‘grievous wolves’ of Paul’s prediction. (Acts 20:29). But there are also misguided ‘overseers’, acting in all sincerity. We must use discrimination.
`By their fruits ye shall know them’. Wherever they have moved amongst the brethren of Christ they have busied themselves recommending division on this issue or that. Silver-tongued are they, possessing a ready capacity for making artificial differences appear very real. ‘By good words and fair speeches’ they `deceive the hearts of the simple’, causing `divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine’ which we have learned. (Rom. 16:17). Under the specious plea of ‘earnestly contending for the faith’, they have fomented discord among the brethren of Jesus, and have proved themselves eminently successful in their attempts `to draw away disciples after them’. If brethren have been deceived by their bleatings it has not been through lack of forewarning.
The Way Back
There is no need to repeat the recommendations made in earlier articles. All the advice one could give under this heading is “briefly comprehended in this saying, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself’.” It is ‘the royal law’ (James 2:8). LOVE is the signpost on the way which both sides seem to have missed. We must retrace our steps to that point and then go forward together.
Love is a multiple indicator, embracing —as Drummond has shown — many others.
Here they are:-
PATIENCE ‘love suffereth long’.
KINDNESS ‘and is kind’.
GENEROSITY ‘love envieth not’.
HUMILITY ‘love vaunteth not itself’.
COURTESY ‘cloth not behave itself unseemly’.
UNSELFISHNESS ‘seeketh not her own’.
GOOD TEMPER ‘is not easily provoked’.
GUILELESSNESS ‘thinketh no evil’.
SINCERITY `rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth’ (1 Cor. 13:4-6).
None of these can be disregarded. But following them, we shall have peace indeed.
A Word To The Builders
This effort may prove but another ‘voice crying in the wilderness’. There is, however, already evidence to show that some hearts have been touched, and on them much will depend.
There is a great work to be done by those who are ready to undertake it. We must strive to demolish the unsightly partitions which separate God’s children one from the other. We must be careful in the choice of our tools. Our only implements must be those indicated above — the various weapons in the armoury of Love. Added to these must be the exercise of constant prayer, in supplication of divine guidance and blessing, for ‘except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it’ (Ps. 127:1).
There will be some who now will strive desperately to buttress the tottering walls which divide the brethren of Christ, but their efforts will come to nought if God works with us. ‘The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds’ (2 Cor. 10:4).
After 40 years of dispersion and desolation there is so much to be done by way of rebuilding. The zealous and persevering fortitude of Ezra and Nehemiah must be copied if we are to progress, and ‘the shield of faith’ must be carried as we work. Then to all, both near and far, whose hearts are prepared for the work, we say: ‘LET US RISE UP AND BUILD!’ (Neh. 2:18).
Acknowledgments
I am ready to agree at once with those who would point out the imperfection of these articles. They were never intended as an exhaustive treatise upon the subjects considered. Rather, they were designed to act the part of a lever to prise brethren out of the mental ruts into which they had plumped themselves, evidently with the resolute intention of staying there. The articles have, therefore, been deliberately provocative.
The use of alphabetical terms to identify groups of brethren is somewhat regretted, but `A’ and ‘B’ seemed the simplest method of reference. It is recognised, of course, that some in group ‘A’ (if not in Australia, then certainly in England) already see the matter as ‘B’ sees it, and there are many in group ‘B’ (in Australia, too) who concur with ‘A’ in his view. Can we now look upon these brethren, wherever they may be, to act as ambassadors of understanding and goodwill in their respective spheres?
The rather copious quotations from the writings of ‘the pioneers’ — Brethren John Thomas and Robert Roberts — have not been presented with a desire to exalt their statements to the pedestal of unimpeachable and unchallengeable authority. But because certain brethren have been so prone for many decades to do that very thing, it was deemed expedient to show that from their writings could be gleaned as much material to support the contentions of one side as of the other. Jesus and his apostles are, of course, our real pioneers, and their teachings and example transcend all others. (Heb. 12:2; 1 Cor. 11:1, etc.)
The author thanks all who have borne with the tedium of such an analysis as that undertaken in the course of these articles. Messages of encouragement received from time to time are hereby gratefully acknowledged. recognition is also made of the Editor’s liberality in making space available for the work.
Conclusion
We submit, in closing, some relevant remarks from a more potent and irresistible pen— the pen of inspiration.
`Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.’ — David.
`Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.’ — Paul.
`Love the brotherhood’. “Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility.’ — Peter.
`The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.’ Speak not evil one of another, brethren.’ — James.
`We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.’ — John.
`Have peace one with another.’ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.’ `What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.’ — JESUS.
Let these sayings sink down into your ears — and hearts.
`Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.’ (2 Cor. 13:11).
Amen
Fellowship with the Maker and Brethren