Essentially One

Striving for the Unity God Loves

JONATHAN LAMB, Jonathan Lamb

• Publisher: IVP
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781783599110
• eBook ISBN: 9781783599127
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Theology & Religion
• Subtopic: Christian Church

Across the barriers of race, class, culture and denomination, Christians are united through the transforming power of the gospel of grace. Yet instead of walls dismantled and alienations healed, churches are often characterised by ugly division, narrow tribalism and painful fragmentation. In a world characterised by growing social division, hostile identity politics and polarised cyber tribes - all compounded by shrill voices on social media - the author unfolds the profound biblical vision of true unity, founded on the redemptive purposes of God to create a single new humanity. This book provides crucial help for handling differences and overcoming division, calling for attitudes and behaviour that portray Christ-like character and reflect true Christian community. Applying key biblical texts, it addresses practical issues of handling conflict, managing change, using words wisely, avoiding tribalism, strengthening partnerships and building counter-cultural community in the local church. Urging us to make every effort to promote godly unity, this is a thoughtful yet passionate call to remember that we are essentially one - for the sake of God's honour and the credibility of our Christian witness in a fractured world.

Table of contents

• About the author
• Acknowledgments
• Introduction
• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• The heart of unity
• 5
• 6
• 7
• Christians Incorporated
• 8
• 9
• 10
• Division and discipline
• 11
• 12
• 13
• 14
• 15
• 16
• Copyright acknowledgments
• Notes