Category Archives: Religion

Arts, Christianity, Religion, Society

The competitive Corinthian mindset

Unity in diversity

1 Corinthians 1:10-17; 3:1-19

IN 1996, there were 243 Christian denominations recorded in the UK Christian Handbook, an almost threefold increase in 20 years.

In one sense “the body of Christ” is divided today in a way that not even the Corinthians could imagine (1:10). Their divisions were caused by quarrelling and jealousy (3:3), yet another manifestation of the proud and competitive Corinthian mindset.

While it can be argued that the main historic denominations formed out of major theological rifts (such as the conflict over salvation by faith or works which spawned the Lutheran and Calvinist churches), sadly the “quarrelling and jealousy” of leaders has caused the modern multiplication of church groups (cf. 1:12; 3:4).

Consumer choice has become society’s holy grail, and independence its lowest common denominator. The disease also infects the church as we choose churches with subtly different spiritual flavours. To outsiders, it must look as if Christianity has many religions.

The New Testament urges leaders to sort out their differences. There is only one church, although it not restricted to one denomination (the “true” church is not an organisation but a fellowship of believers).

Today we can maintain the unity of our own group by learning to appreciate people’s different approaches to spiritual life which reflect our diversity. We can also find ways to work with others to present a united front to society. This is, however, harder work than sniping at each other.

Standard
Christianity, Religion, Society

God’s love is unchanging

Failure is an opportunity to serve

John 18:15-27; 21:1-19

THE deflating knowledge that we’ve blown it can paralyse any further action. If it involved letting others down, we can’t face seeing them again. We feel awful. Peter must have shared that experience after he denied Jesus.

Jesus’ treatment of him is deeply encouraging. He doesn’t simply offer forgiveness (it is implicit) but does something far better. First, he comes to Peter in a familiar way: on the lake, where Peter is. What had first convinced Peter of Jesus’ divinity? A miraculous catch of fish (Luke 5:1-11). So, Jesus says, in effect, ‘Peter, I’m still the same, and I’m still with you.’

And then Jesus re-commissions him, the triple charge surely being a deliberate reference to Peter’s threefold denial: the restitution was complete, the slate was wiped clean. He was forgiven, he could begin again, and he had a ministry to fulfil.

Having failed himself, he could ‘feed the lambs’ – the new believers who would join the church – with greater sensitivity. Peter, who comes over as quite hard, thoughtless and insensitive, wouldn’t be quite the same again after this; he would be more compassionate.

Christians fail like Peter because they are human. Jesus’ example shows that we cannot hold their confessed sins against them. Compassion, forgiveness and restoration are to be complete, not partial. We are to have short memories for failings and long memories for achievements – not the other way round.

God’s love is unchanging, so we can be reassured that failure in serving Christ does not mean the end of our service for Christ.

Standard
Arts, History, Religion, Society, Spain

La Sagrada Familia

ANTONI GAUDI

I WONDER if you know the story of Antoni Gaudi, who became known as “God’s architect”. It is one of courage, patience and faith in adversity.

Antoni was born in Catalonia in 1852 and trained as an architect in Barcelona. Inspired by Catalan, Christian and Moorish culture, he developed his own individual style using patterned brick, stone, bright ceramic tiles and distinctive metal work.

From 1882 Gaudi began to devote almost all his time to the design and building of his monumental church in Barcelona dedicated to the Holy Family, La Sagrada Familia.

His last years were dogged by personal sorrows and lack of money to continue the building of La Sagrada Familia, which he saw as “the last great sanctuary of Christendom”, but “God’s architect” did not give up. He held fast, and struggled on with his great endeavour to create “a place of fraternity for all”. He died in June 1926, after being knocked down by a tram and was buried in his unfinished masterpiece.

Today many thousands visit La Sagrada Familia where work continues, funded from sources which share its creator’s vision. It is hoped that the great church will be completed to mark the one hundredth anniversary of Gaudi’s death.

 

Standard