“For the true unity of the church it is enough to agree concerning the teaching of the Gospel and the administration of the sacraments.”
Augsburg Confession, article 7
Out on a ridge in western Wisconsin there used to be three Norwegian Lutheran churches in the span of just two miles, each filled with members from the same rural community and each belonging to a different national organization. Driving down the road from the north a traveler would first come across a church in the pietistic tradition that emphasized a personal conversion experience and an unstructured form of worship. Next was a church in the mainstream tradition that put more emphasis on a formal statement of faith and the use of the liturgy. And then from the 1870s to the early 1950s there was a church to the south that was formed out of an intense controversy over the nature of salvation (the so-called “election controversy”) that bitterly divided Norwegian Lutherans in the latter part of the 19th century. All three churches were lovely white frame country churches in a quiet rural setting whose serenity belied the intense arguments that led to the building of three churches so close together. This summer when Ruth and I visited the family graves at the middle church we were awed by the pastoral beauty of the place.
We also pondered the mystery of what ever happened to my great-great grandmother, Brita. Her husband, Ole W. Halverson, is buried in the middle church’s cemetery, as are their son, Lars, and two granddaughters with their spouses, but there is no mention on any stone of his wife. After his death did she move away to live with one of her other five children? Or could she be at the south church cemetery where records are scarce? We have not yet solved that genealogical mystery, but the thought that a church controversy could have split my family is chilling. I always thought we were mainstream middle-of-the road people who always belonged to the middle church. We are not people to get swept up in the heat of the moment.
As beautiful as it is to drive along that ridge, it is not the will of Christ that his followers should be caught up in controversy that divides them from one another so that they establish competing churches next to each other. In John 17:21 Jesus prayed that those who believe in him “may all be one.” Already during his earthly ministry he had seen jostling for power and prestige among his disciples. (Mark 10:35-45), and he didn’t like it. Back in John 13:35 he said, “by this will all people know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” That love certainly means working together side by side for the gospel.
St. Paul saw differences of opinion in his day threaten to cause divisions in the church in Corinth, so in 1st Corinthians 1:10 he wrote, “Now I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you be in agreement and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same purpose.” Paul most certainly knew that there would be differences of opinion on a variety of issues before the church of his day, but that unity of purpose of which he spoke was “to preach Christ crucified” (1:22), and never allow differences of opinion about morality, ethics, or polity over-ride that essential unity in preaching Christ.
Article 7 of the Augsburg Confession also addresses this issue. During the Reformation there was plenty of controversy about sexual standards for the clergy. The Romans complained that the Lutherans allowed their clergy to marry, and the Lutherans complained that the Romans did not. Each side thought they had compelling arguments for their case complete with scriptural support. At various times each side made rather ugly statements about what went on the other side. The issue was never resolved, along with many, many others, and a division on this subject exists to this very day. But Article 7 is an inspired bit of wisdom if only we could live by it.
One of the tragedies of 19th century American Lutheranism was the way the new immigrant population splintered into so many competing and sometimes antagonistic denominations. One of the glories of the 20th century was the gradual repairing of these splits. Norwegian Lutherans embraced mergers in 1917, in 1960, and in 1987. It remains to be seen what will be said of the 21st century. But I am pretty confident of what Jesus wants.