Introduction
This introduction has already begun with the previous
article, “Forgiveness”. Our goal is to
seek forgiveness, not further condemnation.
We must be extremely careful here, not to multiply the damage that has
already been done in previous millennia.
Well over a decade ago, I was reciting in unison with the rest
of the congregation these well-known words:
“Πιστεύομεν καὶ εἰς
μίαν, ἁγίαν, καθολικὴν καὶ ἀποστολικὴν ἐκκλησίαν.”
“We also believe in One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church.”[1]
The words stuck in my craw; I had to take action: the obvious
obfuscation of the heavenly reality would not let go of me. I could never look back again.
In time, I had discovered the biblical definition of the
Church:
“You have come to mount Sion, to the city of the living God, to
the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels; to the general
assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven; and to God
the Judge of all; and to the spirits of just men made perfect; and to Jesus the
mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaks
better things than that of Abel.
“See that you do not refuse Him who speaks: for if they did
not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more we shall not escape,
if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven: Whose voice then shook the
earth: but now He has promised, saying, ‘Yet, once more, I shake not only the
earth, but also heaven’.
“This word, ‘Yet, once more’, signifies the removing of those
things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which
cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore, [since]
we [are] receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby
we may serve God well-pleasingly, with reverence and respect: for, our God is a
consuming fire.”[2]
Hebrews 12 has much more to say
about the Church. Verses 1-11, discuss
how Christ is head of the Church and what it means to be Son and sons or
daughters.[3] Verses 12-17, deal with the Christian
obedience of the Church: especially, concerning bitterness. Verses 18-21, draw a striking contrast to one
of the major failures of the Old Testament Church, and the serious consequences
of taking Pentecost, and the gift of the Spirit, lightly. So, our idea of Church is informed by the
obedience of Christ and the disobedience of man. The danger for us is that we might allow the
perverted thinking, that the Via Dolorosa is too difficult for us to walk; we
might, perchance, let down our guard; we might cease to “look diligently”.
In any case, we see in verses
18-29 that the Church is one indivisible unity in heaven and earth; it cannot
be divided: division of the Church is an absolute impossibility. This is not some mere abstract, hypothetical
possibility or potential. This is the
indicative statement of fact. The Holy
Spirit is the final arbiter of all such matters. Yet, what God has joined together; it would
seem that men have made every attempt to put asunder.
The Church throughout the ages is
characterized by discord, disruption, and division. We will adduce the evidence as we follow the rough
outline of historical progression.
From its outset, the Church was
persecuted by Judaism, Romanism, Greek philosophies, and others. It was soon made an illegal religion; then,
it was made legal; finally, it became the official religion of the Empire. In becoming legal, the Church learned how to
persecute: soon, there were retaliations against Jews, pagans, and other
Christians… then persecution by and of new religions developed: retaliation
became popular. Just war was defined. Persecution and retaliation escalated into
international war.
If the first millennium, which we once
dreamed and hoped would be idyllic, turns into massive bloodshed; while, the
second millennium proves to be even worse….
How is it that the instrument of humility and peace, happened to be made
into an instrument of murder and pride.
Subduing error, came to mean by any means of violence available. Perhaps this is what John is warning us about
with his seven seals, trumpets, and bowls.
The father rushes to intercept his
returning prodigal son. Job received his
children alive from the dead, in a type.
Is Adam hoping to receive Able from the dead? Can Ishmael, Esau, and the children of
Keturah ever be gathered again?
Novatianism seems to have originated the idea of creating the perfect
Church: have we, as neo-Novatianists driven away our prodigal brothers and
sisters from Christ?
How? Why? Will we be able to expose the lies, so easily
glossed over by the standard milquetoast secular histories? Or will we just be poking a hornet’s nest,
causing even more sorrow and trouble for the wounded body of Christ? We hope to do no harm. We sincerely hope that this is a healing
process. That is what these studies are
about.
We must approach this subject as chiefs of sinners (1
Timothy 1:15). Then we will be better
enabled to see others as being better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). From this perspective, we will be able to
look up to Novatian, as well as the neo-Novatianists, seeing them all as saints,
worthy of Beatification & Canonization.
Then we can see their side-falls as worthy of our forgiveness: since we
are so lowly ourselves. Finally, in the
process of forgiving the side-falls of great saints, not expecting them to be
perfect, we hope that their being forgiven will help them to see the principle
of forgiveness more clearly, and live it.
Thus, the whole Church on earth will become more forgiving as we forgive
and love sacrificially. We must hate the
sin, while loving and uplifting the sinner.
We cannot be forgiving and loving, while condemning Novatian, and neo-Novatianists
at the same time.
If this involves soldiering, as the following hymn suggests;
then it is a battlefield hospital in full operation, serving patients whose aim
in life is to destroy us: this, if necessary, we must permit them to do: we
must not hold life so dear, we must not resist death, so that we can preach
forgiveness for all people (Luke 23:34; Acts 7:60).
https://www.hymnal.net/en/hymn/h/468
[1]
Of course, that denomination had altered the word catholic or universal; but, I
knew it was there, and I knew very well what Hebrews 12 had to say about the
subject: I could not escape.
[2]
Hebrews 12:22-29
[3]
Whether you believe that this indicates punishment or result makes little
difference to me: it says what it says.
No one becomes either son or daughter without chastening. If walking with Christ has any physical truth
to it whatsoever; it means walking in the shadow of His Crucifixion.
[4]
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