2 posts tagged “seminary”

While in seminary, I had this idea that denominations are sinful, for they separate the members of the Body of Christ.  But when talking with my late professor, he’d mentioned that denominations in themselves are not sinful, for they promote differences…denominations only become sinful when they do separate.

In the 17^th chapter of John, Jesus gives excellent examples, first of how to pray for ourselves, each other, and then also for the Church.  But in each prayer, notice how strongly Jesus stressed the importance of unity within the Church (Body of Christ).  Of all the things that Jesus could have prayed for (boldness in sharing the message, lack of persecution, prosperity, etc), what’s the importance of unity?  So that the world may believe that the Father sent Him.  But when we look at the Church today, is it really united?  How will the world know about Jesus through our unity?  How will/can this ever manifest?

I think that one of the reasons I so much enjoy playing soccer is because, I’m reminded of the great fellowship we developed through it while in seminary, which also reminds me of how I imagine the Church:

We’d gather together several mornings a week just for the love of the game. Newer players were encouraged and mentored by more experienced players in order to sharpen their skills, and so they might become better at the game. When somebody didn’t show up for practices, everybody was disappointed, and several people were sure to inform them of how they were missed.

Out on the field/court, though competitive, the way we played gave evidence to our love for the game.  We’d communicate regularly, set each other up for passes and shots, encourage one another when we made a bad play, congratulate for good plays, and do the same for the other teams. We played as a team, subbing-in often so everybody had a chance to play their best as often as possible, backed each other up, and worked together in unity for the common goal (no pun intended).  And ball-hogs were not an issue as long as our focus remained on the game. Sure there was danger, and injuries almost always occurred.  But our love for the game trumped every pain, bruise, sprain, or break that ever occurred.

Now, re-read this, replacing the underlined words with the following:

• “The game”                          with  “The Lord”
• “Players”                             with  “Christians”
• “sharpen their skills”            with  “be encouraged in the Word / become better familiar with the Word”
• “Become better at”              with  “Grow closer to”
• “Practices”                         with  “Bible study, Sunday service, church events, ministries, etc.”
• “people”                             with  “Brothers / Sisters in Christ”
• “On the field”                      with  “In the field/world”
• “Played”                             with  “lived / shared the Good News”
• “Playing”                            with  “discipling / ministering to”
• “other teams”                     with  “non-Christians”
• “We played as a team”       with  “We were united in Christ”
• “Backed each other up”      with  “prayed for one another”
• “ball-hogs”                         with  “pride was”
• “injuries”                            with “rejection, persecution, etc.”

I believe that when Jesus prayed in John 17, He knew the future formation (or fate) of the Church, and so prayed that it…we, Christians everywhere, would be united, just as He and the Father are united. If a soccer team is united, then it has a better chance of making it to (and possibly winning) the championships, than if it’s not.

This is the beginning of a new year, a time when improvement is promised.  Can you imagine if we of the Church was on the same page, following ultimately the same mission & vision, praying for each other and our congregations, gathering regularly, communicating, helping where needed, being of like mind & spirit, and working towards the same goal?  Just imagine the Church’s testimony to the world!  No wonder Jesus stressed unity so strongly!

---Marturo

I bet I know what you're thinking...Hispanic name, Asian background, you're confused.  So I'll try to help you understand.
The background: I like the darker background, I'm a fan of Japan, and love dragonflies.
The name: Marturo is Koine Greek...biblical Greek (a dead language).  It's actually where we get the word "Martyr".  But Martyr doesn't necessarily mean what we've come to know it as (one who dies for their faith, sacrificial person, etc), but "witness".  In fact, spelled in Greek, you'd see it as: Maptupw.  Ultimately, it means "I witness".

Who am I: I'm a Christian, Caucasian male in my 30s. I've been to Seminary and earned my Master of Divinity. I enjoy talking about God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, but also faith (or lack of), and religions (or lack of), or just about anything else (though I'm not much on politics).  I try not to preach to people with whom I talk, but just converse.  I welcome your comments (or complaints).  I'd also prefer to address the issue than to judge your response (or you).  To give you an example, I actually got interested in VOX from reading and commenting on a post by "atheist dad".

What to expect: Bible studies, inspirations, venting on occasion, challenging questions about your faith (or lack of), theological discussions or questions, etc.  This is not a money-making blog, but mostly someplace where I may be myself, teach and discuss God, and more while also being anonymous.

I look forward to getting this off the ground, and to our discussions.  If you stop by and read something, please comment, even if it's just a hello...not for hit points or anything...it's just nice to know I'm not the only one reading this.