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 Periodically
there are flurries of articles or private discussions about
Unity Among Brethren, and the need to revive our efforts to
attain a oneness among so-called liberal and conservative
elements. All honest effort along this line should be welcomed,
and everything possible done to encourage and pave the way for
it. But many times the article or effort itself is indicative of
the very thing that separated. It may be a thinly veiled
political ploy; clichés that play up to gullible masses in a
bid for "votes." We know whereof we write for we have
taken a few such offers seriously only to have our response
scorned or used in books or other media for sectarian advantage.
Something
sparked the editor of the Gospel Advocate (Ira North) to write
an editorial (May 10,) headed, "Anti-Cooperation Brethren
Should Come Back Home." The very nature of his plea caused
many brethren, seriously interested in unity, to ask, "Home
to What?" He offered large numbers, fancy buildings, and
past generation traditions. If he even knew the basic issues
that divided us he gave no indication; and certainly had no
scriptural plea to make. The Baptists and Presbyterians, from
whom "we" separated in
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the early nineteenth century, could
make exactly the same plea. Thoughtful God-loving people, the
kind who can have genuine fellowship in Christ, are only made to
despair of ever repairing the breach. Lipscomb must have turned
in his grave at such a use of the G.A.
No
doubt there are divisions among nominal brethren that were
caused by, and could be healed by such appeals. But true
fellowship in Christ is neither made nor broken on those terms.
Brethren
sincerely interested in promoting genuine unity must realize
that the breach worth the effort to close is caused by differing
convictions, differing Bible conclusions. This rent can be
mended only when these people are willing to seek a clear
understanding of the other's concept, honestly measure it by
the word of God, and share their studies on the true issues
until, in singleness of desire to serve Jesus Christ, they are
brought together. Sectarian ballyhoo and vote-seeking promotions
have no place in this endeavor.
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