Since at least 2003, we have been squabbling in the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, arguably over the issue of human sexuality. (In this case, however, as in many cases of marital discord, the fight is probably not about what the fight’s about.) That’s not what I’m going to write about, and I hope not to write about that topic until I can say something that will bring the people of God together rather than tear them apart. But I do think this squabble provides an excellent example of two competing visions of the Church.
In the first model, the Church is a holy place where holy people come to do holy things. I grew up with this vision, and it saturated my understanding of the Church, probably from the moment of my baptism. Raised in an Irish Catholic family, I served as an altar boy from the age of six. It was not uncommon for me to serve at three services on Sunday. I acquired a deep and abiding love of liturgy, vestments and all the other holy things one could find in church.
This model understands the Church as struggling towards “true righteousness and holiness.” Eph. 4: 24. Corinthians seems to reinforce this understanding of the Church:
Therefore come out from them,
and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch nothing unclean;
then I will welcome you,
and I will be your father,
and you shall be my sons and daughters,
says the Lord Almighty.’
2 Cor. 6:17-18. This view of the Church seems to motivate Jesus in the cleansing of the Temple, when he tells the money-changers, “‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’, but you have made it into a den of thieves.” Matt. 21:13.
The second model of the Church sees its role as essentially that of a hospital for sick people. In the Daily Office this week, we heard Jesus endorse that vision of the Church. The Pharisees commented on Jesus’ regular association with notorious sinners.
But when he heard this, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.”
Matt. 9: 12-13. C.S. Lewis affirmed this view of the Church in Mere Christianity when he wrote: “Christianity tells people to repent and promises them forgiveness. It therefore has nothing to say (as far as I know) to people who do not know they have done anything to repent of and who do not feel that they need any forgiveness.”
Each of these visions of the Church claims the moral high ground, each relies on Holy Scripture to support its understanding of our work. So, who’s right? The appropriate response seems decidedly Anglican: they both are. We need both understandings of the Church. Our churches must be places where people encounter the holiness of the living God, and where broken people come for healing. Without both visions, we have shrunk the Church, and we have diminished the body of Christ. I hope you’ll join me in praying, along with St. Francis, “Lord, make us instruments of your peace.”
Pax,
James R. Dennis, O.P.
© 2011 James R. Dennis
Domini Canes 
James…a simple and beautifully crafted post. There’s a “via media”, as one might expect (and as you affirm in your next to last sentence): The hospital must have skilled practitioners, therefore the Holy becomes a goal that the staff of that hospital must strive for, understand and teach. The “troubles” arise when what is Holy is inconsistent with Scripture, Tradition and Reason…per Hooker. We are missing that great arbiter in our model, I believe. The staff is bickering on how to interpret the rules. David
Dave,
I don’t think we are yet the Church God wants us to be. I know I’m not. Good to hear from you, as always.
Thanks. I’d only add that one of the things which helps heal the sick is the atmosphere of holiness and one of the things which helps support the aura of holiness is the sense that the church is out there healing others. Reminds me of the Letter of (that other) James, when he talks about Faith without Works. As Karl Barth said, the English have always been incurably Pelagian…
Well said, Andrew, Pelagian or not…the two are more interdependent than some folks realize.
A couple of thoughts as to: “and I hope not to write about that topic until I can say something that will bring the people of God together rather than tear them apart.” I wish more people would subscribe to that theory. All I can say to that is a hearty Amen!
Your comment of the church being a hospital for sinners reminds me of my former priest’s comment, “the church is not a hotel for saints, but a hospital for sinners.” He offered that when some people that one thought were “less than desireable” came in for worship. I was never more proud of him or my church. As to the second, I can’t imagine one without the other. Healing cannot come wihtout the holiness of our Lord, and our Lord’s holiness can be seen so obviously in the healing we are privileged to witness. God bless us all and I pray for more understanding of both. Bless you, Br. James, for your writings and thoughtful topics.
Thanks for your thoughts, Barbara. I’m inclined to think our churches should have big flashing neon signs in front that say “Sinners Welcome”. (Apologies to Mary Karr, who wrote a wonderful book of poetry by that same name.)