Monday, March 10, 2014

Monday, March 10, 2014

1 Corinthians 1:1-19

“Has Christ been divided?” (1:13)

St. Paul is writing to a worshipping community that is going through some difficulties, in this case factionalism. Maybe we can take some comfort in that our difficulties, as a congregation, denomination, or the wider Church, are not a new phenomena. 

Factions can easily develop on any of those levels. As Christians we can divide ourselves in a number of ways: by denomination, by our level of commitment, or how we relate to the creeds or the ecumenical councils. 

Within a denomination we can associate with various groups, movements, or points of view. This might include our preference regarding style of worship, our position on a certain contentious ethical issue, or the way in which we approach the Bible. Some might consider themselves disciples of James I. Packer or John Spong or Evelyn Underhill. This unofficial affiliation encapsulates their spiritual disposition. 

Within a congregation we might find people who associate with a particular service or particular ministry group. I think a newer development, relating to my generation, is that the definition of church ‘membership’ is being redefined (or at least, should be). Many younger people are critical of institutions, and wary of “joining.” Others might not be wary per se, but their life circumstances, especially regarding work or family scheduling, make traditional Sunday morning worship impossible. Some younger folks might nevertheless feel connected to a congregation through mid-week participation, special events, or through a Bible study or youth group. 

Paul sets out to remind his readers that the way in which we create and cling to divisions is a human trait. We need to remember that Christ cannot be divided. Now, some would argue that this means that those who differ in their views have fallen away from the ‘true’ church. I would put it in another way. I suggest that we need to set aside our differences and gather around the table of the Lord, where Christ becomes present to (all of) us in a special way. This involves a letting go of that which divides us (e.g. pride, judgementalism, fear of the other, our own insecurity) in order to open up our hands to receive the Body of Christ. 

Even under challenging circumstances Paul still spends a considerable amount of time beginning his letter with a warm greeting and a sincere expression of thankfulness for the Corinthian Christians. You’ll find similar greetings, for instance, in his letters to the Philippians and 1 Thessalonians. Not so much, however, in Galatians. Paul is pretty rabid in his letter, and the greeting is quite terse compared to his other correspondences. I find it interesting (and challenging) how Paul is still able to show great thankfulness in the midst of crisis in the Corinthian church.

I think a challenge for us, especially in our current context wherein we struggle with church unity, is to be truly respectful and thankful for those with whom we differ. Our love of God and our neighbour should take precedence over everything else.

-Matt Kieswetter