Barnabas File

What’s the latest controversy about public education in your area?   In my state, the topic is “teaching about Islam” to elementary and middle school students.   Some parents (and outside instigators) are concerned that the state educational curriculum includes teaching about the history and beliefs of Islam at certain grade levels. Of course, there are points in the curriculum where information about Christianity is provided.   The point is not to indoctrinate students or to convert them to the Christian faith, but to help them understand the various ways in which the church and Christian faith have impacted culture and the world we live in today. So I imagine students learn about the adoption of Christianity by the Roman Empire, the economic structure supported by the Roman Catholic Church in the Middle Ages, the opposition of the church to scientific inquiry, the Crusades, the Reformation, the role of Christian missionaries in the conquest of the New World, ...

In the current issue of Outreach Magazine , Pastor Bobby Gruenewald of LifeChurch.tv suggests four themes in the future of the church.  One of the themes he identifies is, “The church of the future will become more unified.”  Gruenewald believes that as the church of the 21 st century realizes that there are many other belief systems and philosophies that offer various paths to God, Christians will come together around the lordship of Christ and become “more like the church Jesus started.” I might argue that Jesus really started a movement not a church, but I understand what Gruenewald is saying and agree with the sentiment.  Followers of Christ, no matter what their backgrounds, should be able to find their commonalities as they address the needs of the world.  This can only be a good thing.  Making a commitment to overlook the secondary differences that divide us and find ways to work together in mission and ministry can only bless the Kingdom of God....