We hear "unity in diversity" bandied about these days. Although the thinking has been around for years, it is always as though someone has just discovered that we do not agree. Many believe that we cannot agree. Therefore, since no one can agree, a charade of unity is acted out. A few elements are picked that everyone can or should agree on and whammo, you have unity in diversity. But, it's not really unity is it? If we only agree on some specified elements of doctrine and not on doctrine in general, we cannot be in unity.

Is unity without diversity possible? I believe that it is. Jesus prayed that His disciples be one, John 17:20-21.

I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 "that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

He didn't pray, that His disciples be "one in diversity." One of you might well say, "Of course he didn't, it would be silly to say something like that." But, that is just the point. Who would dare to put those words in Jesus' mouth? Yet His prayer is passed over without even a backward glance. Would anyone dare to put those words into any writing of an apostle? From where did the concept of "unity in diversity" come? Well, Jesus didn't say it. I know of no one who will attribute it to any writer of the inspired record. I can't find it in the Bible. Can someone else find it there? They haven't yet. The only place from which it could have come, that I know about, is the hearts and minds of men. That's right, it's a man made concept.

How is unity attainable? Maybe we should first look at why we are not in unity.

First -- We all have opinions, don't we? Yes, we do and each one of us believes that we have a better idea. Jesus, however, did not pray that everyone be of the same opinion. Note that! When we talk about unity, we are not talking about things about which we are at liberty to have an opinion. There is a problem, however, when anyone wants to have an opinion that conflicts with truth. It may not be intentional, but many treat their own ideas on a higher plane than those of the Master. Jesus also prayed,
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth."

It is among those who are willing and ready to give up their personal opinions, in deference to truth, that I believe unity is possible.

Second -- The men and women of science -- It is at this point that we want to narrow down our sphere of consideration. For purposes of seeking unity, we are directing these thoughts to those who seek to follow Jesus. It is in that realm that I believe unity is possible. But, there's a problem here also. Too many want to make science matters a test of faith. Even those professing to be Christians test the faith of many by stressing scientific notions and ideas. If the Bible states a scientific fact, it is correct; but the Bible is not a book of science. It is a book that contains "all things that pertain to life and godliness" - II Peter 1:3. It is in the realm of life and godliness that I believe unity, without diversity, is possible.

Third -- Commitments that are worthless -- In that realm of serving the master, just about everybody is part of some group and has at least some commitment to that group. Among the groups, there is further commitment to certain issues. It is here, in the various groups, that the "unity in diversity" monster is most effective. One might hear, "We all do not agree but we can be faithful to our group. We can all be united in support of the group." So you have your commitments and another has his commitments and the group, as a group,  has only limited and narrow commitments. So why do we belong to that group? Is the greatest bond only a name? United in name is not the unity for which Jesus prayed. Consider again an excerpt from the prayer of Jesus to the Father found in John 17:21.
that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You;

Fourth -- Disagreements are not reconciled. So how do we reconcile our religious commitments? We must recognize a standard, God's word. We make commitments that mean something, commitments that we will die for because they come from God. Does that sound simple? It takes hard work and study. The word of God has to be valued above all that we have. It should be simple, but man has made it difficult. Most of the ideas, commitments, and teachings that divide those who claim to follow Jesus come from the teachings of men and not from God's word. A big problem is many, maybe most, become committed to a group and not to principles. Unity in diversity is a concept that is needed to keep the group intact or to avoid conflict with other Christians. We must give that reasoning up. Forget all those groups that teach unity in diversity. Without common commitment, what good are they? Where's the bond? Where's the real strength?

It is among those who seek compliance with the standard, God's word, that I believe unity is possible. It is sad to say, but the numbers will be small which include those who have true commitment, those who seek to be in compliance with the standard, those willing to renounce their divided group and the belief that they are OK. The big numbers will be in those groups which are made up of people who have differing personal commitments, but, as a group, only limited strength in values that matter.

This site, in the quest for Bible truth, wishes to reach out to all those who desire unity and believe we can achieve it. We can be unified, but we have to go back to the standard. We must go back through history, past the reformation movement and all associated with it. We must continue on, going back past the conversion of the historical church to Romanism in 325 or so AD. We cannot stop at the church fathers, like Origen, Augustine, Clement, Ignatius, and Irenaeus but must go just a little further. We must finally rest at the feet of the Apostles of our Lord. There is truth, there is doctrine, there is the basis of unity. It is in the teachings of the Apostles, that I believe unity without diversity is possible.

Won't you join me on the common ground? Can we leave our opinions about what God wants and look for what He really wants? If we will accept God's standard we have a common basis for discussion. We must leave the church manuals, catechisms, creeds, traditions, and denominational concepts and accept only the standard. Then and only then can we speak from common ground.

May God bless our studies and our seeking Bible truth.

Milt Smotherman