Ecomenical movement - Do you support the unity of all churches?

[Rochir]

- What do you think of the ecumenical movement which promotes services to be held together by different denominations and churches?
- Would you willingly break the bread with a person who is of a different church than you?
- How do you see the chances of Christianity ever becoming One again?

 

[SPALATIN]

- What do you think of the economical movement which promotes services to be held together by different denominations and churches?
- Would you willingly break the bread with a person who is of a different church than you?
- How do you see the chances of Christianity ever becoming One again?

You mean the Ecumenical movement.

No I would not promote the breaking of bread with other denominations/doctrinal viewpoints. There should be complete doctrinal agreement on the sacraments and other areas before that can ever happen. Unity for the sake of unity never works anyways.

 

[Rafael]

Being non-denominational, it would depend upon if they believied that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh who came to be the sacrifice for sin. Other than that which the scripture warns us as a test for the spirit of anti-Christ, I see no other thing that should seperate. Love covers a multitude of sin (mistakes), and love is the greatest in bringing to unity all who would be covered by the blood of the Lamb and have forgiveness of sins.

1Pe 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

 

[xeledhwenx]

I would DEFINITELY support the unity of all Christians. That's what Christianity's all about, isn't it? All Christians should put aside their (often petty) differences and unite as One body in Christ. Jesus Christ is the reason that we even are Christians. We are little Christs, and should unite under His Name for the sake of expanding the Church and reaching out to others.

I have no problem with breaking bread with a person of a different church, as we are all brother and sisters in Christ. Personally, my chruch is non-denominational and we put more emphasis on the importance of brotherly and sisterly love, rather than dwelling on the fact that we come from separate churches, and might practice and/or express our faith in God in different ways. The body of Christ is for all those who have accepted Him personally as their Lord and Savior, and that's that.

For we should ground our belief in God upon His Word, and not upon the laws of man.

And as for the unity of all churches, it's on my prayer list

 

[SPALATIN]

I would DEFINITELY support the unity of all Christians. That's what Christianity's all about, isn't it?

Gee I thought Christianity was about Christ dying on the cross for all not the unity of all.

All Christians should put aside their (often petty) differences and unite as One body in Christ. Jesus Christ is the reason that we even are Christians. We are little Christs, and should unite under His Name for the sake of expanding the Church and reaching out to others.

I have no problem with breaking bread with a person of a different church, as we are all brother and sisters in Christ. Personally, my chruch is non-denominational and we put more emphasis on the importance of brotherly and sisterly love, rather than dwelling on the fact that we come from separate churches, and might practice and/or express our faith in God in different ways. The body of Christ is for all those who have accepted Him personally as their Lord and Savior, and that's that.

The Lord wants Agape love more than Philo love. Yes we are different and because of the difference in what you believe about the sacraments I can not break bread with you as I would be taking it unto my judgement.

Accept him? Where does it say that we must accept him? That would say that we have something to do with our salvation and we most certainly do not. Salvation is something that God did and not us. We are to be repentant upon conviction of sin. That is not a work but a condition of our heart.

For we should ground our belief in God upon His Word, and not upon the laws of man.

And as for the unity of all churches, it's on my prayer list

I am sorry but those differences are not that petty to many of the orthodox Christians. There are errors being taught in protestant churches all over the place. If we don't have the same understanding of Holy Communion or Baptism there should not be unity. Before there can be unity there must be doctrinal agreement. Otherwise we are embracing heretical beliefs.

 

[Rochir]

You mean the Ecumenical movement.

DOH!

Although I wonder if my faux pas was caused by the quite economical character of many religious ventures

 

[InnerPhyre]

I support the unity of all Christians as long as it's a unity in which everyone comes to an agreement on doctrine. Any other unity is a false unity.

 

[likearose]

I would only support unity where essential doctrines are agreed on; unity for the sake of unity could lead to the acceptance of incorrect doctrines. The Uniting Church in Australia, which was formed, as its name suggests, from the uniting of a few denominations, has been criticised by some Christians for this reason. (Please note, I personally am not criticising the church here, just noting that others have.)

 

[getreal52]

Accept him? Where does it say that we must accept him? That would say that we have something to do with our salvation and we most certainly do not. Salvation is something that God did and not us. We are to be repentant upon conviction of sin. That is not a work but a condition of our heart.

What denomination are you affiliated with? Just curious.

 

[SPALATIN]

What denomination are you affiliated with? Just curious.

Lutheran

 

[JMRE5150]

I am sorry but those differences are not that petty to many of the orthodox Christians. There are errors being taught in protestant churches all over the place. If we don't have the same understanding of Holy Communion or Baptism there should not be unity. Before there can be unity there must be doctrinal agreement. Otherwise we are embracing heretical beliefs.

Nailed it on the head...thank you for this perfect reminder that many many folks overlook.

Robb

 

[Soldier_For_Christ]

I don't see why I wouldn't break bread with someone of a different denomination. In truth, every different division of Chritianity is still Chritians, it's just that they have different interpretations of the Bible (except for Mormons, no offense). I hardly see why we should stay divided other than the fact that some people might be afraid their beliefs might be suppressed and extinct if the Church tried to unite.

 

[Celticflower]

I grew up in a town with 4 churches, until the Methodist and Prebyterian merged to form a United Church. Every Christmas there was an ecumenical service at the United Church, Easter was a the Catholic Church and Thanksgiving was at the Episcopal Church. We sang in each others choirs, used each others prayer books and followed the order of the service for the church we were in. It was no big deal.


When I was in the Youth group we even went to a near by synagogue for a service. That was different, but very interesting and enlightening.

Celtie

 

[Ave Maria]

Being non-denominational, it would depend upon if they believied that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh who came to be the sacrifice for sin. Other than that which the scripture warns us as a test for the spirit of anti-Christ, I see no other thing that should seperate. Love covers a multitude of sin (mistakes), and love is the greatest in bringing to unity all who would be covered by the blood of the Lamb and have forgiveness of sins.

1Pe 4:8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

Amen! I am in agreement with you raphe.

 

[Carrye]

I don't see why I wouldn't break bread with someone of a different denomination. In truth, every different division of Chritianity is still Chritians, it's just that they have different interpretations of the Bible (except for Mormons, no offense).

Biblical interpretation is only the beginning. As a Catholic, I cannot take communion in another church.

I grew up in a town with 4 churches, until the Methodist and Prebyterian merged to form a United Church. Every Christmas there was an ecumenical service at the United Church, Easter was a the Catholic Church and Thanksgiving was at the Episcopal Church. We sang in each others choirs, used each others prayer books and followed the order of the service for the church we were in. It was no big deal.

My Catholic parish has an ecumenical Thanksgiving service every year, but it's not the Mass. We used to have a weekend exchange of clergy to preach at the different churches, but because it must be a priest who proclaims the Gospel and preaches the homily, and in light of a more defined Vatican document, that had to stop. It has caused hard feelings among the Protestant churches in the area, but it had to happen - it was the right thing to do.

And nice posts, Scott!

 

[Ringu]

- What do you think of the ecumenical movement which promotes services to be held together by different denominations and churches?

I think that's it's a hopeless initiative. All churches don't have much to agree upon. 2 churches have so much to agree upon, then you add one more and they have less common ground, you add a couple more denominations and you have too little to build unity. In general I can imagine how a unity of two close in style and theology churches can hold a service together. But not more. I am talking about the practical side. In theory, yes, it's possible (maybe).

- Would you willingly break the bread with a person who is of a different church than you?

Yes I would if I know he's a christian. But how can you know for sure? That's right. You can only believe. So if you break bread with him, it won't hurt. But I would not break bread with mormons or Jehova witnesses for example.

And yes, if I come to another christian church, I can take communion there as long as they don't warn specifially against it. I've known churches who specifically say before communion that if you were not baptised there or something you can't take communion. I don't agree with it but I obey.

- How do you see the chances of Christianity ever becoming One again?

Not on the practical level.

 

[Serapha]

I am sorry but those differences are not that petty to many of the orthodox Christians. There are errors being taught in protestant churches all over the place. If we don't have the same understanding of Holy Communion or Baptism there should not be unity. Before there can be unity there must be doctrinal agreement. Otherwise we are embracing heretical beliefs.

Hello my friend,


.... and there are "errors being taught" in your faith as well.... when I say that, it is because you accept apostolic tradition that has changed the Word of God.

And since this is not a debate forum, then I will only add,

- What do you think of the ecumenical movement which promotes services to be held together by different denominations and churches?
- Would you willingly break the bread with a person who is of a different church than you?
- How do you see the chances of Christianity ever becoming One again?

I have no problem breaking bread with any born again Christian that believes in the triune nature of God.


Christianity IS one... if the one is considered to be the "body of believers" and not the denomination of beliefs.


~serapha~

 

[Serapha]

As a Catholic, I cannot take communion in another church.


!

Hi there!



For clarity, there is a difference in "cannot" and "will not". You could take communion in my church, but would you?


~serapha~

 

[Rochir]

I support the unity of all Christians as long as it's a unity in which everyone comes to an agreement on doctrine. Any other unity is a false unity.

Ok, so basically you're saying No to unity?

 

[Rochir]

I grew up in a town with 4 churches, until the Methodist and Prebyterian merged to form a United Church. Every Christmas there was an ecumenical service at the United Church, Easter was a the Catholic Church and Thanksgiving was at the Episcopal Church. We sang in each others choirs, used each others prayer books and followed the order of the service for the church we were in. It was no big deal.

Now THAT'S what i would call ecumenical spirit! Why are some people so hung up about "doctrin"? Isn't it enough that all christians revere and worship the man named Jesus Christ?