Oddbean new post about login | logout In Ephesians, Paul talks a lot about unity in the body of Christ, the church. Saying that the body of Christ is the church is not the same thing as saying that the church is the body of Christ. It is our connection to Christ that makes us part of the body of Christ. Being a part of the church, or a church, does not connect us to Christ. The same thing applies to the unity Paul is calling us to. Having unity in a church or denomination I belong to is not the same thing as having unity in the body of Christ, the church. And in many cases, the things that might unify a church or denomination end up causing division in the body of Christ. We are united by Jesus death on the cross. We now share the same Spirit and have equal access to the Father!
When I was in high school, my Dad's cousin came to visit. My parents are not Christians, but my Dad's cousin is a music pastor at a church. We had never met before, but talked for hours. Afterwards, my Mom asked what in the world a single teenage girl had in common with a married, older man. I told her, we were both Christians. She didn't understand, but it was true. We related because we were both part of the body of Christ. I haven't seen him face-to-face since, but we still keep in touch now and again. Being part of the body of Christ can make you close to someone you would never otherwise be close to.
Even though I'm a Catholic which has a more significant belief on the role of the Church and also in some cases causes judgement from many reformed/protestant denominations. I have far more in common with my brethren who strive for uniformity to the will of the Father and have a relationship with Jesus rather than those who are "members of the Church" alone. It's sad when the internal presuppositions of individuals get in the way of that which unites us. This can happen within any denomination within the Christian fold in both directions. Lk 11:11 Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?