Research Assessment #3

Subject:

Separation Between Church and...Church?

Source:
Grudem, Wayne A. "The Purity and Unity of the Church."
Systematic Theology: An Introduction to
Biblical Doctrine
. Leicester, England: Inter-Varsity, 1994. 873-86. Print.
Date:
October 16, 2015
Analysis:
Churches separate and adherents leave congregations for a variety of reasons, as observed
throughout history as well as in the world today. The justifications for such vary in viability,
according to the dictation of purity in doctrine and deed. For weeks, Ive studied the unity of the
Church at large, or rather, the disunity, but void of an acknowledgement of purity. Wayne Grudems
Systematic Theology
defines the purity of the church as its degree of freedom from wrong doctrine
and conduct, and its degree of conformity to Gods revealed will for the church and the unity of the
church as its degree of freedom from divisions among true Christians. Both the purity of the
Church and the unity of the Church enter into a give-and-take relationship. Sound doctrine and Holy
Spirit-breathed conviction should not be sacrificed for the sake of unity, however unity should not
be sacrificed for the sake of pride and selfish ambition.
Both Jesus and the Apostle Paul encourage the unity of the Church in its growth both in size
and maturity. Jesus calls for there to be one flock and one shepherd (John 10:16). Paul calls for all
to agree and that there be no dissensions among [the church], but that [all] be united in the same
mind and the same judgement (1 Corinthians 1:10). Scriptural commands to separate from those
who disagree refer to those who teach falsely against the truth of the Gospel, rather than those in
the Church who hold different interpretations of Christs teachings. However, in the New Testament
there are no calls for a single Church authority or governing body. Rather, churches in the era of early
Christianity were locally governed and independently organized, yet generally agreed universally on
essential Christian doctrine. There were slight divisions and dissensions within the first century of
the Christian faith, however the first true split did not occur until the Great Schism of 1054 A.D.,
brought on upon by the supposed abuse of power by the pope at that time, who altered a church
creed. The Reformation of the sixteenth century, which was intended to improve the Church, not
cause division, then set off a chain reaction of divisions that have paved the way for the creation of
the Christian landscape today.
Such disunity is of an organizational nature, and although unfortunate, it reflects the
differing personalities and learning styles of the quickly expanding Christian body of believers. It is
not inherently wrong or uncalled for, rather it should occur on the behalf of personal conscience,
doctrinal conflict, and falsity and will occur according to the focuses of each local congregation.

Disunity in cooperation and an unwillingness to fellowship, au contraire, which both involve a strict
absence of brotherly love are heavily advised against throughout the teachings of the New
Testament. Such disunity is unfruitful and ungodly in every way, enhancing dissension between true,
believing church bodies.
The Bible asserts itself as supreme and inerrant, a tool for both encouragement and
correction. Followers of Christ are called to hold each other accountable to the truth of Scripture,
and thus strive for purity and unity in the Church. Commanded to walk in truth and stand for
righteousness, believers are charged with the duty of defending the faith against all false teaching
and forces of dissension. Rather than leave a wayward church, Christians should work to correct and
call out improper doctrine as healthy and beneficial members of the living body. There is no perfect
church, but Gods Church is perfect. We must strive to be His, in purity and in unity, as brothers and
sisters and as children of our Holy King and Creator.
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call,
one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through all and in
all.
-Ephesians 4:4-6