PostScript: Real people, real Church

The Church can show the world an alternative way of handling conflict (Matthew 18.15-20).

Introduction

Perhaps, if our Christian forebears had really taken to heart Jesus’ approach to conflicts within the community of his disciples, there would have been fewer divisions of any kind, let alone the kind of religious wars and savage persecutions which characterise so much of the Church’s history. In our own day, disagreement around Biblical, theological and ethical issues still threatens to tear the Church apart from within, while far too often people outside the Church are perceived as enemies, rather than as part of God’s beloved creation. This Sunday’s readings offer a chance to re-examine, and recommit ourselves to, the gospel’s teaching on conflict.

Context

How should Christians approach conflict? The word ‘conflict’ is commonly used by our news media with reference to violence, but confrontations between people in which each side perceives the other as preventing them from achieving their goals often evoke violent attitudes and violent worlds, even where people refrain from actual physical aggression. Given our hugely varied cultural backgrounds and life experiences, it is all but inevitable that many of us will disagree with other Christians about Biblical interpretation, women’s ministry, capital punishment, abortion, climate change, same-sex marriage or interfaith relations. President Donald Trump’s visit to Pope Francis in May pointed up a number of issues on which these two Christian leaders – and many of their supporters – disagree, and no one expected that either man would suddenly have a change of heart; but at least they met and talked, and this was no small thing.

Reflection

The hostility some Christians show towards each other does nothing to enhance the Church’s image or – more importantly – to advance the kingdom of God, while the hatred shown by some Christians to people of other religions or beliefs is impossible to reconcile with our faith in a God who ‘proves his love for us in that while we still were sinners Christ died for us’ (Romans 5.8).
To hate and vilify those with whom we disagree cannot be squared with Jesus’ teaching in today’s gospel reading. The procedure outlined for handling disagreements demands respect and courtesy on the part of those who represent the Christian community towards those who are perceived to be in error; nothing here justifies name-calling, condemnation or persecution.
Even the ultimate sanction described here, to treat the perceived offender as ‘a Gentile and a tax-collector’, must be understood in terms of the way Jesus treated Gentiles and tax-collectors; in Matthew’s Gospel alone, we read that he healed a Canaanite woman’s daughter (Matthew 15.21-28) and included a tax-collector among his twelve apostles (Matthew 10.1-4). Jesus’ attitude to those who had different religious beliefs from his, or whose lifestyles did not conform to his values, is characterised by love, generosity and invitation.
President Trump does not always receive a good press, but we should not dismiss his willingness to meet and talk with Pope Francis, even if there was little chance of their reaching consensus on some of the issues that divide them.

Prayer

This prayer is suitable for use during the prayers of penitence.

God of all people, you proved your love for us in that, while we still were sinners, Christ died for us. Grant that we may never be so dismissive or condemning of those with whom we disagree, that we fail to remember that we are no less sinners than they, and that your beloved Son died for them no less than for us; in whose holy name we pray.
Amen.

Questions

Think about a conflict which has arisen within the Church at any time in its history, and discuss what the outcome might have been had the situation been handled according to Jesus’ teaching in today’s Gospel reading.
Identify a contentious issue, either within the Church, or between the Church and the world at large (perhaps one of those mentioned above). Think about where you stand and why, and then try to imagine why someone might conscientiously hold the opposing position. You might even divide into two groups, take on the roles of the opposing sides and hold an informal debate.

Action

One of the best ways to build relationships across traditional boundaries of culture or belief is to work with them on a project. Consider volunteering with a charity, food bank, soup run or other local initiative. Use the opportunity to get to know people from other denominations, non-Christian faith communities or other backgrounds.

Young people

Read or listen to the poem Human Family by Maya Angelou (you can hear the poet herself reading it). Discuss how far you agree or disagree with her assertion that, ‘We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike’.

The Revd Robert Beard is Pastoral Adviser with St Andrew’s United Reformed Church, Sheffield, and a freelance writer.

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