In discussing Christianity as either theory and/or experience there are several variables that ought to be openly acknowledged, with toleration if not agreement among the discussants. This is especially true for the members of a family, often divided by identifiable words like Catholic, or Orthodox, or Protestant, or Charismatic, or Evangelical – perhaps by some other symbol. The differences among the various groups have created conflicts among them – sometimes to hatred and bloodshed. Whatever the differences, the Prince of Peace and Love never meant that it should be so. The warfare is internecine, which, in historical eras means simply that the battles occur among or within those presumed to be of the same family. Catholic scholars may pass off problems as generated by Protestants, and Protestants may pass off difficulties as generated by Catholic traditions. As is often said in a conflict of involved people, there is enough blame to go around. I am closer to some Catholic Christians than I am to some Protestant. I am clearly an Evangelical Protestant. I could not accept some of the traditions of the Catholic Church that would, by my refusal to accept, make me unqualified for membership. I greatly admire Catholic accent on the person of Christ. Even so, I relate well to several evangelical Christian denominations that would not likely admit a person to membership who openly believed some of the traditions of the Catholic Church.
Speaking to a large congregation in Lima, Peru, I went down, after the service, to see if I could be of assistance to some persons who had come forward at the close of the service. I was informed by the young lady, standing by her father that he had gone to the Catholic service in the cathedral across the way. When he was told by the priest that his inquiry fitted the congregation’s way across the street, he came over to the Protestant church. He wanted someone to show him the personal way of salvation. His language was only in Spanish. I communicated easily through his daughter who had spent time in the United States. He appeared relieved after the conversation and prayer. I had to leave him in the care of the church founded by Allianza missionaries. I was solemnized that a Christian witness had sent him to a Christian witness for spiritual relief. This church and the cathedral were advertised as houses of God through Jesus Christ. There appeared large differences, but old animosities seem to have been muted. There was respect.
If asked, the Apostle Paul might have replied to the event: First, I am pleased that the central figure in the contexts here rests in Jesus Christ. Even if we get some things wrong, we are dealing with the same Person. I rejoice that Jesus is named, is prayed to, and is seen as the pivotal person in a matter of spiritual focus. I regret that there is so much competition between those identifying themselves as ‘Christians.’ Competition could be reduced if all parties would concentrate on Scripture before they projected themselves and their views to the cultures of the world. In pressing various points-of-view on the gospel of Christ, the message is muddled for some, but causes others to seek to find the unedited gospel of Christ. However, even the conflict keeps Christ in the attention of the people of the world. God permits the grain and the weeds to grow even among varient Christians, but he knows his own. This suggests that every Christian so fulfill the scriptural plan of salvation that he or she can be assured of immortal safety in God. We know there is nothing in the gospel of love and peace from Christ that justifies any hatred, except for sin and the author of it. (This is what the Philippian passage above suggests. There is no excuse for religious wars.)
Here, my alleged response from the Apostle Paul is drawn from his words in the Epistles of the New Testament. Following that pattern, I found some success for my own ministry and clarity for me in the history of Christianity. Never denying my belief in Christ as the only Savior of the world for those in the world willing to acknowledge their inadequacy and believing in the redemption afforded by Christ, I found listeners in thousands of places. I spoke to liberals and conservatives, to secularists and faith oriented – even to a convention of Buddhists. I was treated well, even when there were firm and spirited differences in the context of meetings. I wanted Christ recognized, and I did not want to violate the hospitality of my hosts. The point related to Christ was that he is my Lord. Differences in culture, in style, in race, in nationality, in denomination, were muted. Christ became for me all and in all. The Apostle Paul and his colleagues would have approved, or so I believe. I believe also that God does. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020