[Propertalk] A few quotables for the gospel lesson - Part 3

[Joe Parrish]

...it should be noted that, historically speaking, the so-called ecumenical movement was a result of the modern missionary movement, not the other way around. The churches decided to work together for the sake of mission (cf. the Edinburgh Conference of 1910) and in doing so discovered something of the oneness they already had in Christ.

http://www2.luthersem.edu/word&world/Archives/15-2_Revelation/15-2_Olson.pdf

Duane A. Olson
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When we try to unite in formal ecumenical understanding, or when we connect in informal ways across denominational lines, we are not "making this passage happen." Rather, we may be demonstrating, to a small degree, the truth which this passage proclaims is already ours. 
A second thing about unity is the fruit or result of it. Unity is valuable for the sake of itself but in each instance quoted above it is important "so that the world might know that you have sent me." Since the disciples' realization that Jesus came from God triggered Jesus' prayer to be glorified (i.e., to "get on" with the drama of death/resurrection), so the world's realization that Jesus came from God is the result of the unity of the disciples. 

http://www.drbilllong.com/LectionaryII/Jn17II.html

Bill Long, 2007
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>From love comes glory, not vice versa. Glory which is not rooted in love tends to be a false glory, the glory of Molech, the Canaanite god of fire. Molech demanded human sacrifice to maintain its glory. 

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=865

Kosuke Koyama, 1989
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The next morning's Milwaukee Sentinel carries this headline: "Christian Convention Erupts in Violence: Delegates Disagree on Virgin Birth." In a downtown café, a truck driver points to the picture as a waitress fills his coffee cup. "Willya look at that? Ain't that the biggest crock you've ever seen? And my mother-in-law wonders why I don't go to church!"

http://www.religion-online.org/showarticle.asp?title=648

James C. Somerville, 1998
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"In Hebrews 11:6 we're told that God is the 'rewarder of those that diligently seek Him.' And in Genesis 15:1 God said to Abraham: 'I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.' Somebody said the difference between Patrick Henry and the average American today is that Patrick Henry said, 'Give me liberty or give me death,' and the average American today just says, 'gimme.' Sometimes we make a Santa Claus out of the Lord. We want the gifts and not the Giver, we want the blessing more than we want the Blesser. We need to get over the 'gimmes.' 

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Even in the Godhead there is an illustration of unity in diversity. Father, Son and Spirit are equally God, yet there is diversity of role and function.

http://bible.org/seriespage/high-priestly-prayer-jesus-john-17

Robert Deffinbaugh 
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