OK, that's not really funny. Or maybe it is. Anyway, this post is about the new Christian Reconciliation Carnival, founded by Weekend Fisher.
I have noticed something interesting in certain parts of the Christian blogosphere. I have seen debates that degenerated into people trying to understand each others' positions. I have seen Christians praising members of other groups, a growing body of recognized common ground, and people with crossover appeal beyond their own group. Of course, I've seen nastiness and divisiveness too, but the opponents of nastiness and divisiveness are becoming bolder, more outspoken.To that end, I'm proposing a Christian Reconciliation Carnival. It's intended as a "Road to Reconciliation" Carnival, a place where we do not expect too much of ourselves except humility, and a Carnival that is a cease-fire zone.
Amen. The carnival will happen monthly. There will be a Question and Answer section as well, to which questions can be submitted. (see guidelines here.) Oh, and the vanguard Carnival can be found here, at Heart, Mind, Soul, and Strength.
The host (and founder) does a little math:
...most current estimates show the Christian church divided into 20,000 to 30,000 different groups. If each theological difference causes a split, and each distinct group has a unique combination of beliefs, that works out to only about 15 actual differences. (2 to the 15th being 32,768.) Beyond that, there are far fewer major groups (maybe a dozen). Unfortunately all 15 of the same issues are probably still in the picture with the dozen groups.
Well, that's a bit over my head but I understand what he's she's getting at. And I can't tell you how encouraged I am by an effort like this -- it's definitely a step toward unity in the Body of Christ. (Can I hear an "amen"?)
HT: Pseudo-Polymath
