Unity
Paul: Collecting Money and Maintaining the Unity of the Spirit
On Controversy
This article is a copy of a letter from John Newton on dealing with controversy and differences in opinion.
On Charity
Christian Unity: An Encouraging Example
Living in Communion with the Saints: What Must I Do?
Unity in Diversity
Keeping the Unity
Salt and Peace: The Human Factor in Our Work
The Good which May Come from Controversy
Can we Talk? Can we Listen to Each other?
This article is about communication in the church. The author looks at differences in the church, listening and our convictions, pride, and suspicions in the church.
On the Unity and Diversity of the Church
Unity and Discipline in Christ's Church
Why are there Conflicts in the Church of Christ?
The "Unauthorized Altar" and Harmony in the Church
Union with Christ: Benefits of Being United with Christ
Church Unity
Should We in Evangelism Approach Only Unbelievers or Also Members of Other Churches?
Spiritual Oneness
The Path to Ecumenicity
Maintaining Unity among Churches
Union
The Problem of Unity in the Church
Church unity requires you to relinquish your personal preferences. This article mentions four preferences that may hinder unity among believers.
One Holy Church, One Covenant of Grace
There is only one holy church of God. This article explains that this one holy church of God finds its root in the covenant of God and his promises.
Four Sources of Discord in Your Church
Communion Of The Saints
Why We Belong – Toward a Theology of the Unity of the Church
This is a book about the unity of the church of Christ, and chapter 1 is a short theology of the unity of the church. This unity is a demonstration of God’s purpose of cosmic unity. The church further displays the unity and uniqueness of God. The gift of unity is on the one hand a mark of the church and on the other hand to be pursued without ceasing.
Christian Unity
'It’s Not A Salvation Issue' So Who Cares?
The Unity of the Church in a European Context
The Westminster Confession of Faith and Church Unity (2)
The Westminster Confession of Faith was meant to further the unity of the church. These two articles look at the context of this confession and the leaders who participated in drafting it. The author also discusses church unity, which is found in the preaching of the gospel, the administered ordinances, and the performance of public worship.
The Westminster Confession of Faith and Church Unity (1)
The Westminster Confession of Faith was meant to further the unity of the church. These two articles look at the context of this confession and the leaders who participated in drafting it. The author also discusses church unity, which is found in the preaching of the gospel, the administered ordinances, and the performance of public worship.
The Ecumenical Spirit of the Reformation: Unity in the Truth
"I believe in one holy, catholic and apostolic church." This confession was wholeheartedly embraced by the reformers. The reformers confessed that true unity can only be found in the truth of Jesus Christ as revealed in the Scriptures. This article calls today’s church to follow in the reformers' footsteps.
John Calvin: Lover of the Church Catholic
John Calvin defended the break from the Roman Catholic Church, and yet he was not in favor of schisms. In this article the author shows how Calvin worked to call all reformed churches to unity in doctrine and lifestyle.
No Country For Old Men?
This article is about church unity versus denominational separation. Why are creeds important and when should individuals separate from a denomination?
Do We Need Ministers?
Why Is Our Church So Messed Up?
Do you ever ask yourself if the church of Christ is truly united? Churches across the world confess the one holy, catholic, and apostolic church, but this truth is not clearly visible. The article describes what needs to happen for this unity to be visible in the church.
How to Move Forward with International Inter-Church Relations
Calvin Addressing Europe
Seeking the Unity of the Church (6)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. Why is church unity so crucial? Why must it be pursued? This article discusses the benefits of church unity.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (5)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. Church unity must be pursued based on the truth of scripture and the confessional foundation of the church. In seeking unity, a distinction must be made between essential and non-essential doctrines. Examples from John Calvin are given to demonstrate this.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (4)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. Church unity is found in the truth of scripture and is based on the confessional foundation of the church. However, subscribing to the same confessions does not guarantee church unity.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (3)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. At the time of the Reformation, the reformers strove for unity in the church. However, the church still divided. Why did this occur?
Seeking the Unity of the Church (2)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. The reformers Martin Luther, John Calvin, and Ulrich Zwingli loved and laboured for church unity. In their struggle with the Roman Catholic Church, especially in relation to the doctrine of the Lord’s Supper, these men were always motivated by a desire for the unity of the church.
Seeking the Unity of the Church (1)
Christians confess with one voice that they "believe in a holy catholic church" - a confession which highlights the importance of pursuing church unity. This article lays out the biblical grounds behind the Christian's obligation to seek church unity. The author also provides a historical survey of the early church and how she sought this unity.
The Unity of the Body of Christ
Reconciliation or Bust
This article shares some insights for planting a multi-ethnic church. Based on Galations 3:27-29, the author encourages unity in the church which overshadows ethnic, race, and gender differences.
Walking Together
Looking at John 17, this article shows how the unity of the Trinity should serve as an example for Christian unity. Christians should reflect this unity by glorifying, serving, and loving one another.
Conflict in Church
Church Secessions
True Church Unity
How Ecumenical Should We Be?
Calvin and The Church
Attempts at Worldwide Ecclesiastical Relations
The Organic Unity of the Church
Church unity is something organic. It is found in Christ who unites members of the body so that they together live one life. The organic unity of the church is a result of God’s work, manifested in the local church.
Unity, Diversity, and Division
The author of this article engages the contentious issue of lack of unity and the presence of divisions in the church today. This author proceeds to explain how believers today must understand the unity of the church, the divisions that have assaulted it, and the necessity of diversity in it. The author also attacks what he calls extreme denominationalism and extreme unionism.
The Church
This article speaks on the subject of the unity of the church as expressed in 1 Corinthians 12:12. Further points of discussion include the unity and concord of Christians in their particular churches and in their individual state, the unity of the body of Christ and the diversity of the church.
Towards a Confession for Tomorrow's Church
In order for true unity and ecumenicity to exist within the churches, there needs to be a convincing confession of faith. This article looks at the role confessions and creeds play in shaping such unity of churches. Attention is given to the need for confessions, the problems and challenges of adopting confessions, and the method for formulating them.
Evangelicalism Reunited
Evangelical Reunion: Dealing With Our Attitudes
Steps to overcoming denominationalism and working towards church unity can be taken when denominations learn to deal with their attitudes towards one another. Pride, contentiousness, envy, harshness, xenophobia, immaturity, anger, ambition, and party spirit are attitudes that hinder unity.
Ecumenism and the Reformation
Zwingli on the Unity of the Church
A Vision of Unity – Christian Unity in the Fourth Gospel
This article studies the Gospel of John on the theme of unity. It first considers the source of that unity and then its nature. Next, it considers the purpose of that unity. Finally it reflects on John's contribution towards current discussions concerning church unity.
Unity in Acts: Idealization or Reality?
Is the portrayal of the unity of the church in Acts an unrealistic idealization of Luke? There are many studies of Acts that judge it to be idealization. This article surveys this literature. It then argues that Luke's view of the church is not unrealistic idealization.
Understanding Christian Unity
Una Sancta
This article is about the holy war and the holy peace of church unity.
Invitation to Fellowship
The One, True Church
Starting from the conviction that the church in both the New Testament and Old Testament is one church, this article draws the beginning of the church from Adam and Eve to the New Testament church. From the beginning God intended to build one united church, and the division of the two kingdoms and the exile shows that sin separates God's people.
On the Unity and Disunity of Churches
The Reformed Pastor and Ecumenism
What should a Reformed pastor make of ecumenism? The article addresses this by considering the biblical foundation of ecumenism, from the time of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and further worked out in redemptive history. Biblical ecumenism is based on salvation through grace alone.