Saturday 19 March 2011

Which Christianity?

Appendix 1 - Which Christianity?

Some might be wondering from which branch of Christianity, or theological current, this script derives from. To answer this question it is necessary to step back a moment and look at the overall landscape of Christian institutions, their history and theology. It can only be a brief, concise view, not an exhaustive study on the matter, but I hope that it will be sufficient to frame my answer and satisfy the legitimate curiosity of the reader.

About one third of the world population defines itself Christian. Generally speaking, these two billion people are divided into three major groups, Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants. Some prefer subdividing into five groups, instead of three, but for the sake of brevity and to avoid entering into endless hair-splitting differentiations, we will stick to the three larger ones.

Orthodoxy
The Orthodox Churches are traditionally the older ones and adhere to unchanging traditions. They usually take pride in that fact and view themselves as keepers of the original tradition that was handed down by the apostles. In that view, they perceive most other forms of Christianity as having more or less departed from the true Christianity. Having dealt with various heresies in the early centuries of Christianity, they have given much importance to tradition as a stabilizing factor and a mark of true faith. In their view the Bible is important but insufficient by itself and can only be interpreted correctly when compared to the tradition that was given by the apostles.

Catholicism
The Catholic Churches also have a tradition, but a different one. Their Apostolic tradition is the Primacy of Peter, a sort of apostolic lineage coming down to us through the papacy. They see in the popes the continuation of a spiritual mandate given by Jesus to Peter. As such the popes have the power to introduce new revelations, dogmas and a maturation/modification of the ritual traditions. This state of affairs has provided the stabilizing effect of tradition, while allowing also maturation and innovation. The Bible is the essential original revelation, but the proper understanding of it is ensured by apostolic continuity as represented in the Pope and his Magisterium.

Protestantism
The Reformation, or Protestantism, doesn’t see much value in tradition and defers to the Bible as the sole authority. Their motto is "sola scriptura", meaning “only the written word”. In their view the Bible is the absolute word of God and all that is needed to determine the way of Christianity. Their lack of a common tradition has fostered greater individualism and fragmentation into different churches that adhere to various interpretations of Bible scripture. This doesn’t mean that there are no traditions within their institutions, as it is impossible to build a continuing one without them, but rather than structural or ritual ones, it is the case of interpretive traditions, the particular significance which the individual church attributes to Bible scripture.

From these three systems spring forth countless others. Regardless of which church, or no church, one belongs to, most Christian will identify with one of the three, which often combines also with a critical view of the other two. Sadly, it is no different from the polarization that happens, for example, between the political right and left, where issues are rarely valued in their own merit, but become affected by age-old suspicion running between opposing factions. On the bright side it is also true that much progress has been made in recent years to overcome prejudice and ancient animosity. There is, in fact, much beauty within all three systems, as well as much that could be overcome, and though some qualitative judgment could be made on each, I am neither qualified, nor wishing to try. Furthermore, the multiple aspects of worldwide Christianity are not the aim of this study, but the study of the Bible is, which I hope to place within anyone’s reach. I wished, however, to touch on it lightly in order to make this one point - that there is diversity within Christianity, even deep diversity, but it is a non issue when it comes to determining individual Christianity. Real Christianity is a relationship with God and a lifestyle, and this can be found within any of the three systems, as well as without. Furthermore, I am also convinced that most differences were determined by cultural, political and other factors that had little to do with real faith. Christianity does, in fact, still drags along an unbearable burden of accumulated rubble from the wars and feuds of the past. Unfortunately it is this unnecessary load that perpetrates prejudice and ill feeling amongst many Christians.

It is not the dress that makes a monk
In other words, you may be wearing a monk’s habit but that alone won’t make you one. It’s an ancient Italian proverb describing how outward religious appearance doesn’t necessarily signify inner faith. By the same token it isn’t adherence to a religious order or system that determines one’s Christianity, but it’s their personal relationship to Christ that does. I therefore invite the reader to rise above the partisan and culturally inherited prejudices associated with the three main systems of Christianity. Please desist from pigeonholing what you read here, or in the bible, within one of them. I encourage you, instead, to think for yourself and begin this journey of discovery of the Bible using the method I have proposed, but then letting God’s Words and Spirit lead you to a personal, direct relationship with Himself. My sole intention is to provide some keys which will enable anyone using them to unlock and understand what they read – tools that can help overcome the apparent contradictions and old prejudices, so that the reader can discover, not an ancient literary work, but a living God.

To adhere or not to a particular church is a personal prerogative and does not, in my view, determine the degree of closeness to Christ, which cannot be judged by external factors. Since there is, however, both the benefit as well as the need to share one’s faith with others, I think it is also a matter of personal choice with whom to associate for this purpose. To be considered is the availability and proximity of a church, or other Christian group in the country where one resides. Obviously there are more choices in some places than in others, but thankfully it is always possible to find someone with whom to share the faith journey. I am convinced that God is able to lead each one to the situation that is most suitable for them.

However, I repeat, it is neither the church nor the group that makes a Christian, but the personal choice to live by Jesus’ teachings. All religious institutions have faults and virtues and their differences are largely based on human aspects, rather than Christian. It is, therefore, not excessively important which church one belongs to, as long as its foundation is in Christ. Being a Christian is somewhat of an intimate and personal affair, which cannot be overly dependent on adherence to a particular institution. If you are Christian, however, you could be a valuable contribution to any church, and receive in return, but beware not to equate Christianity with adherence. Just like entering a mechanic workshop doesn’t make us mechanics, neither does entering a church makes us Christians.