Unity

I don’t like chickens. They could never survive on their own. They are brainless and gross, especially if you are forced to participate in the killing, cleaning, and dismembering. God did not make chickens; He made grouse and pheasants.

Also, these little yapping creatures we call dogs? When God makes a dog it looks like a coyote, wolf, German shepherd, or a Husky, not a deformed squirrel. An article on Wikipedia: Research has shown that small dogs aren't just more extreme in their aggression-related behaviors; compared with large dogs, small dogs tend to have more severe separation anxiety, usually bark more and are more likely to urinate in the house. This gives credence to the theory that genetics plays a role in little dogs' extreme behavior. How many more reasons do you want against these dogs?

All right. Let me unbend a little. I appreciate eggs and, barring the deformed squirrels, dogs. If we could get the eggs without the chickens? Maybe we could grow them in a lab or something? Considering you always move toward what you fight against, I’ll probably end up raising chickens.

When humans intervene and crossbreed everything trying for better products sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. We owe a lot to crossbreeding, from beef to wheat to mules. The world is a better place for these high yielding crops and uniquely capable animals, with some notable exceptions.

Hybrid vigor, or “heterosis,” is a strange thing that happens when the offspring of two plants or animals have more genetic advantage than either of the parents. When two strong but different genetic organisms combine, the result is sometimes the best of both. Maybe evolution is true after all! With two similar parents, the offspring often assumes the weaknesses of both and suffers from genetic anomalies and handicaps.

Therefore, if we want to improve an organism we avoid inbreeding and pursue diversity.

If the body of Christ forgets Whose body it is and cudgels its members into submission and sameness, limiting the ability of the different parts to function uniquely, it will turn into a monstrosity, handicapped by disease and ingrained weakness like an English bulldog.

Difference and variety are good things. Like John Maxwell said, “Democracy cannot survive where there is such uniformity that everyone wears exactly the same intellectual uniform or point of view. Democracy implies diversity of outlook, a variety of points of view on politics, economics, and world affairs. Hence the educational ideal is not uniformity but unity, for unity allows diversity of points of view regarding the good means to a good end.” Another writer, St. Paul, writes this: There is one body. But it has many parts. Even though it has many parts, they make up one body. It is the same with Christ.

We were all baptized by one Holy Spirit into one body. It didn't matter whether we were Jews or Greeks, slaves or free people. We were all given the same Spirit to drink.

You are the body of Christ. Each one of you is a part of it. (1 Corinthians 12 NIRV ) But differences get complicated, and to make them useful rather than destructive we must define some terms. What are disputable and indisputable things in Christianity?

A few indisputable things: God made the earth with humans in mind. He has a plan and desire for all people.

We rejected Him and turned to the snake instead. This resulted in a fallen state of humanity and a world full of pain and death. God nurtured His people along under a law system until He sent His Son to live with us and defeat death for us. Through this amazing incarnation and the victory over death when He rose again, we have access to His Spirit in our lives. If we see our impossible need and receive Jesus’ Spirit in our minds and hearts our life will reflect the fruit of the Spirit. These things are non-negotiable. If we say that Jesus’ life in us does not produce love and peace and power, our version of the gospel twists unrecognizably.

A few indisputable principles: Love always. Pursue peace. Modesty in all things. Forgive quickly and freely.

A few disputable things: How and when we have church. What we wear. Where we go. What we work.

If we do not understand clearly what is disputable and what is not, we cannot discern truth from error or cultural practice from biblical. We will get embroiled in avoidable disputes that destroy and divide. A clear discernment results in more tolerance and personal conviction. Conviction forms from awareness and intentional pursuit of the things of God, not from unheeding conformity. If I make a clear mental separation between cultural and biblical, I know where to dig in my heels and where to bend. How much diversity is beneficial in a local church? I can’t answer that so I won’t try, but I have a few ideas.

More local difference evidences more maturity. The more true Ephesians 4 unity we experience, the more we can appreciate differences of function and thinking. Difference in thinking and practice is not weakness but strength, and we should value and appreciate each other especially where we diverge.

An attitude of assuming good intent is paramount to growth in any relationship. We can either trust each other’s motives and be appreciative and encouraging, or we can jump on everything that seems carnal or misguided in a hopeless attempt to keep things in hand. Cultivating openness seems a better option, yes?

We say that we want to accept people whom are raised different than us. “Don’t raise your eyebrows about the tattoos or show revulsion at the stinky housekeeping.” While saying this we clamp down on diversity in the church, legislating uniformity in disputable matters or subconsciously thinking alike because of our similar upbringing. Unless we appreciate and value our differences rather than view each other as a threat, we will not appeal to people who have different reference points. Diversity and inclusion must be a part of our daily church experience with or without “seekers.”

In church we tend to view sameness and cultural history as a strength and diversity of beliefs as dangerous. If we could shift to more openness for diverging thoughts, valuing different angles, being fully persuaded and grounded in our personal lives, we would experience less cultural blindness and inbreeding and more hybrid vigor and abundant life. We would have more personal conviction and less dependency on fickle guidelines. We would have more tolerance for different beliefs and practice, especially in our local church. We would get closer to a true unity that enables strong relationships, which provide a real safeguard against deception. Iron sharpens iron when we have open, uncritical discussions and examples among godly people that have real respect and appreciation for each other. Those that are less dogmatic about uniformity have more influence toward unity than those that focus on dangers and sliver picking.

Accountability is often misused either as a club by those who hold others accountable or as a shield to hide behind when we pass the buck to someone else. We can only offer absolute accountability to God. If all of us do this we will experience strength in diversity and tangible benefits from relationship with each other.

Who has been most influential in your life? The friends with open, helpful attitudes and stable examples. Who have you struggled with most? The critical friend that often has a concern to share or the one who has all the answers. Helpful accountability emerges as trusting relationships, where we ask each other for advice and share ideas on everything. These friendships take time and are continually evolving. We do not stay the same person, and if we lose meaningful contact with someone we will be left behind and find a stranger when we cross paths again. They are also very fragile and can be shattered easily, making a terrible mess that seems impossible to repair. Alt-middle thinking is the firm conviction that the only absolute belief I hold to is that all my beliefs and convictions must be examined regularly and updated if necessary. Good mental hygiene requires continual openness and logical reevaluation of all things

I tend to take for granted. Never “black box” anything permanently, refusing to revisit it. This should result in a stronger, more open, and more accurate thinking pattern which translates directly into our actions. If we pursue an alt-middle viewpoint, lifegiving, spiritual heterosis is a real possibility.