Wednesday, October 9, 2002
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Wednesday, October 9, 2002 |
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Spiritual maturity is key to religious differences By JOHN HATCHER In years past, it was a rather common practice to find one spouse worshipping Sunday morning at the Baptist church while the other spouse was found at the Methodist church. Usually, however, they attended the same restaurant afterwards. No one thought it heresy and apparently marriages did not seem to suffer the worse because of attending different watering holes though the water ran more freely at the Baptist church. One of my first pre-marriage counseling sessions involved a Baptist young man and Methodist young lady. They were bright, good looking, and soon to graduate from Auburn University (only thing questionable). In counseling, I asked them how much of an issue was the difference in denomination. They responded inconsequential. Long story short, the problem revolving around where to worship became only one of their many problems all of which led to a divorce after the birth of a child. Now, first thing first. Is it a sin for one spouse to worship at one church while another worships at another church? No! It may be inconvenient, but not sinful. It would be detrimental if they were worshipping two different gods, i.e., Allah and Jesus Christ, money and Jesus Christ, Buddha and Jehovah Witnesses, et. al. Last time I checked, however, the Baptists and the Methodists served the same God revealed in Jesus Christ as manifested in the Holy Bible. Second, how about marriages involving Catholics and Protestants. There again, the last time I checked, both Protestants like a Baptist and Catholics confess Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and that one goes to heaven by the saving grace of Jesus Christ. If you doubt my understanding of Catholicism, please make friends with a priest and ask him. Third, I believe that the real deal glue that holds together a Protestant/Catholic marriage is spiritual maturity on the part of one or both. "Spiritual maturity," in this regard, embraces the ability to hold onto your own convictions, but also appreciates differences expressed by the convictions and insights of others (regardless how enlightened you evaluate them). More than two years ago, the director of the Griffin/Spalding School System's Science Center, Ann Nunan, began an investigation into Christianity at the encouragement of her husband, a dedicated, long-term Catholic. She turned into our church's drive and found a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Her husband, Brent, a retired educator, was thrilled that his wife of nearly three decades finally had found the Lord. Is there proselyting going on in the Nunan home? No! Why? Because Ann and Brent respect each other's faith and its unique expressions, but very settled on the fact that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Lord of their home. A step further. Ann and Brent wanted their ministers to get together each other on this side of heaven. So, the Nunans hosted Father Pedro de Oliveira, parochial vicar of Saint Philip Benizi Catholic Church in Jonesboro, my wife, Mary Ann, and me for a delightful dinner. Fears, skepticisms, criticisms, cynicisms, ignorisms, and many other "isms" seem to be pushed off to the side as we sit down and break bread with one another. Pedro is one of the nicest men of the cloth I have ever met. I would covet a friendship with this brother. Many of you have friends, family members, and neighbors who harbor other faith systems. Let me suggest that you break bread with them. You will discover what you have been missing just because of a little difference. The Rev.
Dr. John Hatcher is pastor of |
