My Response to "The Devolution of Government - Globally & in the Church" by the NCO

[Nahum]

Originally Posted by Daniel Alicea

Posted yesterday on the New Church Order website

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The Devolution of Government- Globally & in the Church
by James Griffin, ESQ

http://www.newchurchorder.com/content/view/83/45/

One principle long recognized in the Church is that movements in governments and principalities often reflect what is happening in the spirit-world and vice versa. Also as pointed out in a previous article in this forum sometimes a new phenomenon will give raise to a new vernacular. The term “devolution” is one currently making the rounds among social scientists and economists. It is used to describe a globally impacting trend currently epicentered in Europe but spreading.

Devolution is the break down of strong federal government in favor of regional, cultural, and economic units. Examples include the breakup of the USSR into Russia and several satellite countries. This directly resulted in the explosion of Yugoslavia into approximately six (and counting) countries. No industrialized country is immune including such powerhouses as United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, and even Germany. There are currently no less than 18 such hot spots in Europe and new countries are splintering also on the continents of Africa and Asia.

However, how does this apply to the Church? Even as this article is being composed, one of the premier “church” organizations in the world is locked in such debate. The divisive question is not over the plan of salvation, but what means of technology is “holy enough” to be used to disseminate the gospel! Proponents from both sides have publicly stated that no matter what the vote on the resolution they intend on withdrawing from fellowship and go independent.

Such mentality is foreign to Scripture. Has not the fragmentation and infighting among religious bodies and church organizations gone on long enough? Is it not time to concentrate on our commonality instead? How does refusing to fellowship over such matters (by either side) fit into agape? How much more could be done for the kingdom with the blending of our talents and gifts?

No one would deny any denomination has an absolute right to delineate its standards, and seek to uphold them within their organization. However, to deny fellowship with believers over such matters smacks of elitism at best, and is pharisaical legalism at worst.

It is also understandable that those caught in the crossfire of such infighting would desire to be totally independent. But those brethren so wounded might want to recall the history of our own country. When the colonials successfully overcame what they perceived to be a tyrannical government, they immediately formed an alternative. They realized that non-governance equates to anarchy.

The New Testament clearly recognizes strong governance within the church body. This should of course be centered in the five-fold ministry. It is beyond the scope of this article to go into how such a unified governing body should be set up, but we should hope that at the least, men and women everywhere would start the necessary dialogue.

Brother Griffin,

The article is definitely very well written.

I agree with your assessment that "devolution" is occuring, but let me give you a different take on the phenomenon, and why I think it is happening. I will attempt to use the same lingo you used in the article from NCO.

It is my opinion that devolution is not always negative. Sometimes fragmentation occurs due to irreconcilable differences arising when leaders of a centralized social or religious group enact ordinances that smack of oppressive tyranny. Men and women will always seek personal liberty which, of course, leads to many splinter groups breaking off from the original religious, political, or social power.

I do not believe it was ever God's plan to have a Vatican type model of church government. I do not believe it was ever God's plan to have a centralized seat of Christian power on earth that was led by a man, or group of men.

Instead, I believe that God scattered (through Roman persecution) early Christians to the four corners of the earth to combat such a religious system. We men are great at messing up the simplicity of God's plan. We ministers tend to want to be mediators between God and man, when He really doesn't need our help. All he wants us to do is "go" and "preach."

I believe what you are hoping for is ecumenicalism. It is clear the NCO is willing to set aside every bit of core doctrine for some misguided sense of Christian unity. I can't for a moment believe that God is pleased.

Further, you seem to play off of the UPC's current fragmentation, mentioning it on the front page of your website. What is your goal in doing so? Why does the NCO need to slap at us? This is contrary to the spirit of your article, in which you state a desire for unity and ecumenicalism.

I feel your article, and past blogs on the NCO site, is in poor taste, and not befitting model Christian motives. After all, isn't the NCO a splinter group?