The Church and the Road to Togetherness
What the Christian experience can teach us about human community
A mention of the Christian church today prompts an array of reactions, ranging from faithful inspiration to harsh condemnation. Christians themselves are divided over who and what is the church. The books of the New Testament describe a group of Jesus’ disciples unified by a common mission to spread the gospel. As a result, much of their time was spent traveling from community to community, attempting to share the good news and help their peers live a good life. For the disciples, Jesus was a path to togetherness — a message to both overcome and embrace differences.
“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” — Ephesians 2:14
The above verse describes the remarkable role that Jesus played in bringing together Jews and Gentiles to extend salvation to everyone. For Jesus, this togetherness was preeminent. Yet throughout history, the singular “church” has seemed divided — at least on the surface. After the controversial foundation of the Catholic church, the 16th century brought with it a new protestant faith. Since then, Christians have continued to categorize themselves by denominations, “defined as ‘an organized christian group’…the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary estimated 43,000 denominations in 2012…” These denominations are differentiated by organization, not necessarily beliefs.
Christianity, through the churches that bring its followers together, has remained unconnected for much of its lifetime. Both Christians and non-christians have observed that the church is constantly debating how to love, and often does not unite in love together. Any Christian who preaches that the church has solved the problems it has faced — reached perfection — is not a student of history. Still today, many Christians disagree about theological, political, social, economic, and daily issues. Several Christians attend church services with others that see the world the way they do, worship similarly, and operate in their comfort zone. Others attempt to fellowship with anyone, even if they are different. All are on the road to togetherness.
The tendency to organize in a like-minded group is natural. In fact, the behavior of the Christian church is a microcosm for humanity, particularly in political life. However, this picture does not tell the whole story of Christianity. The experience of the church on the road to togetherness does not just offer lessons on human imperfection. It demonstrates the power of common purpose and harmony through difference. It reveals that the process of togetherness is challenging but rewarding. In fact, the church’s testimony is an exemplar of the Jesus’ message to love despite our faults.
“Darkness doesn’t drive out darkness. Only light can do that.” — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Luke 10:25–37, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, is a famous scripture describing the Christian faith. It reads (abbreviated):
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’
‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’…‘And who is my neighbor?’
‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers….A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbor…?’…‘The one who had mercy on him.’
Jesus told him, ‘Go and do likewise.’”
The Samaritan’s story illuminates a fundamental Christian tenant: willingness to walk with your neighbor. Jesus preached that his followers should be willing to show compassion, mercy, and grace to those that are different, disregarding who they are and what they have done. Often, the church has put rules above relationship and creed above love. There is no doubt that rules and principles play a role in faith and more generally, human behavior. But togetherness is rarely found in rigid practices. It is realized when walls come down and humans are genuine with each other.
The Disciples’ accounts illustrate that this is not easy. Time and time again, Christians struggle with doubt, judgement, and disrespect. Theists and atheists should fully recognize that the men that Christianity proclaims— disciples preaching the gospel to churches — were imperfect. Reconciliation was needed. Things were messy. In sanctuaries and secular communities alike, we should expect humanity to be difficult. Togetherness is elusive.
“19 For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them…22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” — Corinthians 9:19,22–23 (ESV)
Corinthians 9 calls Christians to understand our neighbors, so we might love and serve them. Despite the challenges the church has faced and faces today, it has experienced togetherness. In local communities across the world, people unite to give, help, and encourage through pain, regret, and disagreement. There are countless examples of togetherness.
St. Francis of Assisi said: “Preach the gospel and when necessary, use words.” Instead of trying to convert others to our creed, whatever it is, we should act our story: we are all witnesses with testimony. On the road to togetherness, people should listen, learn, and love. Doing so requires less words and more understanding, less arguments and more stories, less righteousness and more humility. It is indeed the road less traveled.
“Jesus himself did not try to convert the two thieves on the cross; he waited until one of them turned to him.” — Dietrich Bonhoeffer
