As a Christian establishment, Samford University is home to a collection of people from many different religious backgrounds.
This diversity of ideas and perspectives is one aspect of Samford that many find appealing, and for good reason. Differing viewpoints leads to discussion and the exchange of ideas. Working with people with different perspectives on life is an important part as growing as an individual, both socially and spiritually.
Unfortunately, the modern church is struggling with something that it has been struggling with since its beginning. We can’t seem to stop letting the details divide us.
As the church, our ultimate goal is to spread the message of the gospel
throughout our lives, and to glorify God through all things. We are commanded to put aside our differences, and unite under the fact that we are all fallen, and must strive to live our lives as Christ did to the best of our ability. None of this is easy, but it is simple.
The unfortunate reality of the church however, is that we get selfish. We often begin to think that our lives are about only us, and we get pompous. That’s where the “my denomination is better than your denomination” mindset comes into play. Instead of giving our energy and resources to the pursuit of God’s glory, we begin to allow our differences to divide us, and ultimately, we worship the details of our religion rather than living by our conviction.
Am I arguing that denominations are in them of themselves pointless? No. I believe that Catholics, Baptists, Methodists and the like each hold their own convictions that set them apart from one another. This being said, it is important to remember that Christ did not call upon any specific denomination to follow him. He called upon his children as a whole.
The church needs to learn that spreading the message of the gospel is the real priority of the Christian life, and until we stop worshipping the details that divide us, we won’t be able to follow Christ in the way he intended.
Nothing is more valuable to an individual than their conviction, and as members of the Church it’s important that we don’t forget
that.
Thomas is a staff writer here at the Crimson. He writes his weekly column, Tommy’s Music Corner, where he dives into the local underground music scene.
