Research Assessment #2

Subject:

Diversity in Early Christianity

Source:
Attridge, Harold W., Holland Lee Hendrix, Helmut Koester, Michael White, and Wayne A.
Meeks. "The Diversity of Early Christianity." PBS. WGBH Educational Foundation, Apr.
1998. Web. 22 Sept. 2015.
Date:
September 22, 2015
Analysis:
Division in todays global Church frustrates me without end. To explain to a seeking
non-believer the disunity in my faith, whose champion preaches oneness with God and others, is a
difficult undertaking that Ive attempted to avoid time and time again. I lack understanding and
wisdom in this regard. I read the Book of Acts, analyze the singular community described by its
author, break down the writings of Paul, observe his quest for unity in Christian practice, absorb the
words of Jesus, hear his call for community, and then I look at Christianity in its current state and
Im left confused. The PBS program,
From Jesus to Christ,
aided me in realizing the core of my
confusion. I did not have proper knowledge of the early Church.
Though the Book of Acts depicts a singular event, Pentecost, by which the Holy Spirit
entered the apostles and the spreading of the Gospel began, in reality the spread of Christs
message would have been taking place simultaneously throughout the surrounding region. Different
groups emphasized different aspects of Jesuss life, death, and resurrection. Factions that focused
on the wisdom and teachings of Jesus are categorized as Gnostic Christians (gnostic deriving from
the Greek, gnosis- meaning knowledge). In contrast, Pauline Christians primarily emphasized the
saving power of Jesuss resurrection. Different people had different interactions with Christ and
thus, different interpretations of his will for the carrying out of the Great Commission.
In understanding the original division within the Church at its roots, a call to complete
organizational unity in today's Church for the sake of a return to its foundational beginnings is
revealed to be inaccurate. At its roots, the Church was divided, but the Gospel was being effectively
spread. The same can be said of the Church today. Though divided, the Church is working throughout
the world to multiply His kingdom. Just as in the beginning, as different people had different
experiences with and interpretations of Jesus, today different people have come to Christ under
different circumstances, attracted to different realms of Christian thought.
In 1 Corinthians 12, the Church is described as a body with different members, each of which
work in different and unique ways. Paul metaphorically relates the different roles in a body of
believers to the different roles of different parts of the body. But what if he meant more than that?
What if the different divisions in the Church, the churches that the greater Church consists of, are

just different members of the same body? Not only do believers within each local gathering or even
entire denominations have distinct roles in building the kingdom and caring for the flock, but
different sects and denominations within the context of the greater Church have distinct roles in
building the kingdom and caring for the flock.
Leaders within each denomination continue to argue on behalf of the validity of their
theology and practices. However, it remains to be seen whether a singular church is the true Church
or if, in fact, all members (each denomination) are working together as part of the same body.
Regardless of all division and dissension, one thing rings true. One thing transcends borders and
backgrounds. One thing unites us all and provides for us a common ground, yesterday, today, and
forever. That one thing is the Good News of Jesus Christ who came, lived, died, and rose again for our
good and Gods glory.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
-Hebrews 13:8