A Lenten Study Series
We Are All God's People
by Father Chris Hardman
I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. John 17:20-21b
In the above passage, Jesus prays for unity. Most of us want unity. It seems, however, we are finding the opposite. Did you know that there are over 30,000 Christian denominations? Even our own church, the Episcopal Church, is in the midst of another division. What is going on?
Our Lenten program this year will attempt to answer that question. To explain all the splits and divisions would take a lifetime, so don't expect miracles. But we will address some of the broader theological, spiritual, and cultural issues that are at the heart of our divisions. For instance, how do we envision God? Do we see God as being "up there" somewhere looking down upon us in judgment; another object in the universe, a "self-contained absolute" not needing anyone or anything? Or do we see God as being with us, walking with us, talking with us, a part of us in some way, loving us into being?
The debate over those two ways of seeing God has been going on for at least 2000 years. It is at the heart of much of our struggle. During our Sunday Adult Forum during Lent we will travel through history looking at the founding of the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, the Episcopal Church, and the Orthodox Church. We will look at the various influences that make each group unique. We will also try to understand how the changes that are happening may indeed eventually lead us back together.
In addition, on several week nights during Lent, we will take some side trips to the other Abrahamic faiths, Judaism and Islam. We will look at their origins, visit their places of worship, look at their uniqueness, and try to find common ground among us all.
It should be an exciting trip, with several different drivers along the way. We do hope you will join us.
