by Jesse Steele
priorities.
Jesus: When my people order their priorities properly, they won’t be divided.
Carl: Are You saying we should ignore Christian theology and doctrine?
Jesus: No. I wanted you in seminary and, naturally, you will study those.
Carl: What do You mean then?
Jesus: You learn the doctrine so you can help people understand without having to go to seminary themselves.
Carl: So I need to teach them the big vocabulary… I suppose I could use drills to help them remember all the big words.
Jesus: Big words aren’t necessary to know me.
Carl: What’s wrong with big words?
Jesus: Big words are wonderful in seminary because you can say more to each other faster with big words, but that’s in seminary.
Carl: How am I supposed to talk about the same things as in seminary with people who don’t know the big words?
Jesus: Talk about what THEY need to know for their own ministries. I haven’t called everyone to know the big words.
Carl: How can I teach theology without the big words?
Jesus: Do you know what “theology” means?
Carl: Yes. It was on my test last term. “Theology” is “knowledge of God.”
Jesus: Um, “knowledge” is one way of putting it. I like to say “knowing God.” It has a better ring to it.
Carl: Okay, fine. “Theology” means “knowing God.” How can I teach about “knowing God” without big words?
Jesus: Um—what’s the question here?
Carl: I just asked it.
Jesus: I have a better question… How can you teach “knowing God” with big words to people who don’t need them?
Carl: Huh?
Jesus: I know bigger words than you and we haven’t used very many big words… today. And you are getting to “know me” better… today.
Carl: Oh. So, all I have to do is help other people know You?
Jesus: Yes. That is ministry… and theology.
Carl: Okay. How do I do that?
Jesus: You must know me first. You can’t introduce your friends to someone you don’t know yourself.
Carl: My friends, yes. But what about the people in my church?
Jesus: You mean my Church. It isn’t yours.
Carl: I know it’s Your Church, but I mean the local congregation I attend… just like I might say “my parents.” It doesn’t mean that I own them.
Jesus: I know. You are correct, it’s okay to call it “your…whatever.” The problem is that you talk as if there are many churches. There is only one Church. Your congregation is a part of my One, True Church.
Carl: Fair enough. So, I help my friends, yes, but what about the people in my congregation?
Jesus: Aren’t they your friends also?
Carl: Yes, but parishioners are different from my friends?
Jesus: Do I call you my “friend” or my “parishioner?”
Carl: Are You saying I should just consider every Christian my friend!?
Jesus: Yep.
Carl: So, how do we solve all of these “knowing God”/doctrine disputes?
Jesus: Do you know what “doctrine” means?
Carl: Yes, it was on my exam two terms ago. It means “a teaching.” It’s something a person believes and teaches to other people.
Jesus: So, when you ask how to help Christians stop fighting about “theology” and “doctrine” you mean…
Carl: How do we stop fighting about “knowing You” and our “teachings?”
Jesus: And the answer?
Carl: The last thing we were talking about was “seeing everyone as friends.”
Jesus: That will be all for today.
Carl: But I have certain questions about specific denominations.
Jesus: “Denomination” is a term from Math. Why is a seminary student using it?
Carl: I mean the different groups in the Church.
Jesus: You mean my Church.
Carl: Yes, Your Church.
Jesus: What part of Math does the word “denomination” come from? Do you remember?
Carl: Why are You quizzing me on Math?
Jesus: I know every subject taught in school and many subjects no one has taught yet. I know a lot of stuff, you know. Besides, you were the one who brought up “denomination.”
Carl: I’m starting to remember… Um… “denomination” comes from the Math-subjects of “division” and “fractions.”
Jesus: So, you referred to my Church using terms of “division?”
Carl: I suppose, if You want to put it that way. Do You always get Your way?
Jesus: No. Not everyone chooses Life.
Carl: Well… Even God can’t force people to be His friends. [thoughtfully]
Jesus: Nope. That’s up to each person. But if my people would see each other as friends, they might stop using words like “denomination” and “division” to describe themselves.
Carl: I think I understand. But I still have questions.
Jesus: Let’s get into those questions tomorrow. You’ve grown enough for today. People can only handle so much alone time with me at once.
Carl: How much time is that?
Jesus: It can be five seconds or 40 years in the desert. It all depends on the situation. But, after our quiet time together, they need to get back to the work I specifically called them to.
Carl: And for me that’s seminary?
Jesus: For now, yes. You are beginning to understand.
Carl: Bye “Jesus.”
Jesus: There’s no need to say, “Bye.” I AM with you always.
Carl: See You tomorrow then?
Jesus: I’ll have time for you if you make time for me.
Carl: Tomorrow then.
Jesus: Deal.
Scene 2: Denumeration
Carl: Jesus!
Jesus: Carl!
Carl: It’s good to see You again.
Jesus: It is good for you to see me again.
Carl: That sounds strange?
Jesus: Why?
Carl: It seems arrogant. “Nice that you can see me again.” Huh? That isn’t tactful.
Jesus: But I wouldn’t say, “Nice to see you again.” I saw you all since yesterday… I watched you sleep all night long. I see everything.
Carl: Okay, well I guess that makes sense.
Jesus: I AM glad I AM making sense… to you. I always make sense. People just take some time to see it. But I AM patient.
Carl: Speaking of patience… I’ve been patiently waiting to ask You something ever since my Spiritual Formation class yesterday.
Jesus: Yes. Ask and I shall counsel.
Carl: Are You a Pentecostal or a Baptist?
Jesus: That question is off-base.
Carl: Okay, sorry. I suppose I shouldn’t rush to question the Almighty so quickly.
Jesus: No, there’s nothing wrong with asking me something candidly and boldly. I AM just saying that I AM bigger than the difference between Baptists and Pentecostals. I can’t belong to either group because I AM not able to fit.
Carl: What should I ask then?
Jesus: Try switching the words around. See what you come up with.
Carl: Okay, here goes… Are the Baptists or the Pentecostals Your favorites?
Jesus: Yes.
Carl: But which one of them is right?
Jesus: They both are.
Carl: They wouldn’t tell You that.
Jesus: They tell me that all the time: each group tells me that they are the ones who are right… every week.
Carl: So, which one is it. I must know!
Jesus: Which one what?
Carl: Which one truly follows You?
Jesus: They both do. They both serve the Great Commission and they both love me.
Carl: But why do they argue so much?
Jesus: That’s a good question.
Carl: So, do You have a good answer for my good question?
Jesus: “Arguing” is about truth. You aske
d about which one follows me. Following is about friendship.
Carl: But what about the truth. Which one of them has the truth? They disagree about that, You know.
Jesus: Oh! Don’t I ever know!
Carl: So, tell me! The suspense is holding me in suspense. My blood pressure is boiling.
Jesus: That’s okay, you’re young, the stress is good for you. You should have seen some of the stress I’ve been through. Oh boy.
Carl: Stop changing the subject!
Jesus: Okay, if you insist on seeking an answer so whole-heartedly… Baptists and Pentecostals are both right and both wrong.
Carl: How does that work? Are You saying Truth is relative?
Jesus: I AM not relative… I AM a “blood” relative.
Carl: That’s just a play on words. How can You say that both Baptists and Pentecostals are right and wrong if they both disagree?
Jesus: Carl, they are learning. Each of them has been focusing on different questions. It’s as if they are different study groups in my Great Classroom of Life and they have been working on different assignments. They each have stuff they are wrong about, but I AM pleased with the questions they have had in their hearts to pursue. Do they still have things to learn? Yes, but that’s okay. I AM a good teacher. I know what I AM doing.
Carl: But it can’t stay like that forever.
Jesus: It won’t. Trust me.
Carl: When will they stop fighting, then?
Jesus: Ending a fight is about growing in friendship. You can be someone’s friend even if the two of you don’t agree. It’s especially easy if everyone is humble enough to know that they are still learning themselves.
Carl: So, unity in the Church…
Jesus: Unity in my Church…
Carl: Yes, unity in Your Church is about friendship?
Jesus: You can’t have unity with someone who isn’t your friend first.
Carl: How are we to be friends? Everyone has worship service at the same time. They can’t visit each other’s churches!
Jesus: Remember, there’s only one Church—my Church.
Carl: Yes, but there’s still the one I’m a member of.
Jesus: You mean you’re a member of my Church?
Carl: Yes, I am.
Jesus: Good, then you can visit my Church whenever you want.
Carl: I do, but I