I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in Me, and I in you, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me. - John 17:20-21
Within westernized, American Christianity today, there is a large anti-denominational movement afoot. It is not uncommon for me to meet people who are "proud" to say that their church has no formal denominational connection. I once heard of a pastor in a popular denomination who, when asked, sheepishly admitted the connection as if he was ashamed.
Unity is a noble and biblical aim and I, too, agree that all orthodox believers in Christ should find ways to work together to accomplish the Great Commission of our Savior, but seeking to dissolve all differences is as ludicrous as erasing the distinctives between Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Unity is not uniformity. The "non-denoms" are a brand as much as the established denominations, and that should not be a problem for anyone. The important principle is not erasing the differences, but ensuring that we do not differ from Christ or allow those differences to keep us from the greater task of proclaiming His glory.
Marketers have understood something about the post-modern mind, that decisions are often made more by relational association than facts! They don't ask, "What is true?" so much as "Do I want to be like you and your friends? Do these people reflect who I want to become?" - John Burke
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