Now the New Calvinists are telling us about the need for church unity:
The history of Christian thought leaves no place for unbridled individualism. The Nicene Creed declares that we are “one church” (unam ecclesiam), and according to the Westminster Confession, such oneness has implications for our corporate identity: “The catholic or universal church, which is invisible, consists of the whole number of the elect, that have been, are, or shall be gathered into one, under Christ the Head thereof; and is the spouse, the body, the fullness of Him that filleth all in all” (25:1). In other words, when God redeems us, he births us into his community. We are the bride of Christ. There is only one bride.
A robust ecclesiology recognizes that in uniting with other believers we constitute something greater than our individual selves, for in Christ we represent living stones that God joins to form a spiritual house (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:4-10), members who are organically connected to one another (Rom. 12:3-8; 1 Cor. 12:12-31). In the words of New Testament scholar Robert Banks, “Paul’s understanding of community is nothing less than the gospel in corporate form!” Insofar as our communities proclaim the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection, Banks is right.
Don’t you have to be in a church before you pursue church unity?
Old Life 
One tires of these scolds and wags. It’s really rather sophomoric. Have been saying the Nicene Creed for decades now. So boringly evangelical and I’ve never been that.
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Next thing ya’ know, these Gospel Allies will start lecturing the rest of us on Reformed Confessions and even the value of liturgies. Dreary, old scolds. Americans.
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From the article’s byline::
“Chris Castaldo serves as director of the Ministry of Gospel Renewal for the Billy Graham Center at Wheaton College.”
What is Gospel Renewal (I assume it doesn’t refer to renewing the gospel itself)? And how does a college have a Ministry? Sounds more like some kind of UK government department…
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Exacty, Mad Hungarian.
What kind of outfit is Phil Ryken running over there?
“Gospel Renewal,” what the heck is that?
Dreary revivalist stuff.
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For those of you smart enough to not click through, here’s one of the worst opening metaphors you’ll ever read:
“Ice cubes have come a long way. A century ago, they were delivered in one enormous block. During childhood, my family used ice cube trays. Today, it is even simpler. If you fill a beverage cooler before a picnic or ball game, you need not even touch a tray. Simply position your container before a refrigerator with an ice dispenser, push the button, and watch the cubes roll out the door.
unity-featureAs the ice cube has gone, so has the evangelical Protestant movement. At least in Western culture religious identity is no longer defined by the block (the Catholic Church) or the tray (a denomination in which there’s a shared ecclesial structure). Instead, evangelicals often operate as individuals who roll out the door with little-to-no commitment to church membership. ”
???
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Church unity might mean that superstar pastors might not be able to run their own shows the way they would like, though. With unity comes compromise and mutual submission (or so my wife tells me).
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Good call, Brian. The analogy leaves me cold.
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You know, every time I read the posts and the comments that follow, I think: What a bunch of angry, bitter, disgruntled Reformed guys who are instantly suspicious of anything new and cynical about nearly every corner of American evangelicalism. Finally, I’m home! Thank you, D. G. Hart.
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Folks, random, I know, but I read a good essay once by Gadamer, comparing tradition and why the “new” is not always preferrable to the “old” (tradition). Google yielded this. Maybe some of you have heard of Gadamer. I’m outta here! š
http://www.iep.utm.edu/gadamer/#SH3b
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Geoff,
Finally, some recognition! This crabbiness doesn’t just flourish without a lot of thought and effort. I regularly have to bang my thumb with a hammer to sustain it. Thanks for noticing!
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Geoff, GET OFF OUR LAWN!!! You are welcome.
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