I like Thomas C. Oden's take on this subject. He defines "classic Christianity" from the early Church and how the consensus nature of how the Church arrived at what was global or classical Christianity. "That which has been believed everywhere, always and by all" and in tandem with Universality, Apostolic Antiquity and Conciliar Consent. This was based on the Ecumenical Approach in convening Church Councils and as was done by the Apostles in Acts 15.
One organization which characterizes global Christianity by diversity, integrity, and gospel faithfulness is the Global Christian Forum, whose gatherings include trinitarian Christians from across the denominational spectrum from Eastern Orthodox to Pentecostals. I attended the GCF gathering in Accra in April 2024. It was a great time of unity in Christ, having fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ from across the globe who have a living relationship with our common Lord and Savior.
Bruce, this is an excellent and necessary discussion, and I appreciate the way you’ve framed it. The question of who constitutes “global Christianity” is not new, but it is no less pressing today than in the past. As you pointed out, theological divisions have existed since the early church—whether it was Paul confronting false teachers (1 Tim. 1:20, 2 Tim. 2:17) or Athanasius standing against Arianism in the 4th century. Disagreements will always arise, but the real question is: How do we navigate them without compromising the gospel?
As someone who was saved in the 1970s in a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada church, I now find myself grappling with a familiar question: Where does one find the church that is most faithful to absolute truth? I am not looking for a denomination that merely provides a comfortable tradition but one that preaches the unvarnished gospel—the cross of Christ in its fullness—without dilution, distraction, or compromise. In this, I resonate with Paul Washer’s recent emphasis on the need to return to the pure preaching of Christ crucified (though, I’d wish he would smile a bit more!).
Truth vs. Broad Tents
While there is a place for dialogue and mutual respect among different Christian traditions, we must be careful not to mistake institutional ecumenism for theological unity. The Global Christian Forum, for example, may facilitate conversations, but can it truly unite those with fundamentally different views of salvation, scripture, and the authority of Christ? Can there be “mutual respect” between those who affirm biblical inerrancy and those who deny it? Between those who preach Christ alone as the way to salvation and those who entertain universalist leanings?
Machen’s critique in Christianity and Liberalism remains as relevant today as it was in 1923: at some point, we are not merely dealing with disagreements within Christianity but with an entirely different religion masquerading as Christianity. The lines are not always easy to draw, but they must be drawn.
Who Decides?
You rightly state that we do not ultimately decide who is in the body of Christ. That is God’s role (Matt. 13:24-43). However, we are called to discern. The Bible commands us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), to mark and avoid false teachers (Rom. 16:17), and to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered (Jude 3). This is where I believe modern evangelicalism has often failed—we have mistaken broad inclusivity for faithfulness. Yes, we should learn from different Christian traditions, but never at the expense of biblical truth.
Where I Stand
This brings me back to my own search for a church today. The dilemma is not merely “which denomination” but “which church remains most faithful to the gospel?” I desire expository preaching, a high view of scripture, an unashamed commitment to evangelism, and above all, a church that lifts high the cross of Christ. Sadly, many churches today are more concerned with cultural accommodation than gospel proclamation.
Final Thought
If we want to show the world a “global Christianity” that is marked by integrity and gospel faithfulness, we must be willing to stand for absolute truth. Unity is not found in broad alliances but in unwavering commitment to Christ and His Word. As the great apologists of the past have shown—from Augustine to Spurgeon to Schaeffer—the battle for truth is ongoing, and it is one we cannot afford to lose.
Who is global Christianity? That is a big question. I have been reading articles concerning with Christianity but no any article introduced such question. The word WHO is different from the word WHAT, HOW and WHEN. I had to meditate that question before my response.
Who? It seeks human concept and that human is in charge of Christianity around the world. I know there are different religions across the world but in this case the writer is specifically looking at a single religion which is Christianity.
My response to such question is coming from Biblical context. Psalm 145v3, 150v2: 1John 3v20, 4v4 just to highlight few Biblical scriptures. In Biblically, Christianity(is God) was introduced by God and it was reflected to the world through coming of His own Son. So in short Global Christianity is Jesus Christ. We need to know that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so presence of Jesus Christ there is also God's presence, likewise father and Holy Spirit.
Yes. And also- who does not gather with me scatters...the challenge therefore is to strike a balance without compromise. The question is: How? What is the limit?
I like Thomas C. Oden's take on this subject. He defines "classic Christianity" from the early Church and how the consensus nature of how the Church arrived at what was global or classical Christianity. "That which has been believed everywhere, always and by all" and in tandem with Universality, Apostolic Antiquity and Conciliar Consent. This was based on the Ecumenical Approach in convening Church Councils and as was done by the Apostles in Acts 15.
One organization which characterizes global Christianity by diversity, integrity, and gospel faithfulness is the Global Christian Forum, whose gatherings include trinitarian Christians from across the denominational spectrum from Eastern Orthodox to Pentecostals. I attended the GCF gathering in Accra in April 2024. It was a great time of unity in Christ, having fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ from across the globe who have a living relationship with our common Lord and Savior.
Bruce, this is an excellent and necessary discussion, and I appreciate the way you’ve framed it. The question of who constitutes “global Christianity” is not new, but it is no less pressing today than in the past. As you pointed out, theological divisions have existed since the early church—whether it was Paul confronting false teachers (1 Tim. 1:20, 2 Tim. 2:17) or Athanasius standing against Arianism in the 4th century. Disagreements will always arise, but the real question is: How do we navigate them without compromising the gospel?
As someone who was saved in the 1970s in a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada church, I now find myself grappling with a familiar question: Where does one find the church that is most faithful to absolute truth? I am not looking for a denomination that merely provides a comfortable tradition but one that preaches the unvarnished gospel—the cross of Christ in its fullness—without dilution, distraction, or compromise. In this, I resonate with Paul Washer’s recent emphasis on the need to return to the pure preaching of Christ crucified (though, I’d wish he would smile a bit more!).
Truth vs. Broad Tents
While there is a place for dialogue and mutual respect among different Christian traditions, we must be careful not to mistake institutional ecumenism for theological unity. The Global Christian Forum, for example, may facilitate conversations, but can it truly unite those with fundamentally different views of salvation, scripture, and the authority of Christ? Can there be “mutual respect” between those who affirm biblical inerrancy and those who deny it? Between those who preach Christ alone as the way to salvation and those who entertain universalist leanings?
Machen’s critique in Christianity and Liberalism remains as relevant today as it was in 1923: at some point, we are not merely dealing with disagreements within Christianity but with an entirely different religion masquerading as Christianity. The lines are not always easy to draw, but they must be drawn.
Who Decides?
You rightly state that we do not ultimately decide who is in the body of Christ. That is God’s role (Matt. 13:24-43). However, we are called to discern. The Bible commands us to test the spirits (1 John 4:1), to mark and avoid false teachers (Rom. 16:17), and to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered (Jude 3). This is where I believe modern evangelicalism has often failed—we have mistaken broad inclusivity for faithfulness. Yes, we should learn from different Christian traditions, but never at the expense of biblical truth.
Where I Stand
This brings me back to my own search for a church today. The dilemma is not merely “which denomination” but “which church remains most faithful to the gospel?” I desire expository preaching, a high view of scripture, an unashamed commitment to evangelism, and above all, a church that lifts high the cross of Christ. Sadly, many churches today are more concerned with cultural accommodation than gospel proclamation.
Final Thought
If we want to show the world a “global Christianity” that is marked by integrity and gospel faithfulness, we must be willing to stand for absolute truth. Unity is not found in broad alliances but in unwavering commitment to Christ and His Word. As the great apologists of the past have shown—from Augustine to Spurgeon to Schaeffer—the battle for truth is ongoing, and it is one we cannot afford to lose.
Who is global Christianity? That is a big question. I have been reading articles concerning with Christianity but no any article introduced such question. The word WHO is different from the word WHAT, HOW and WHEN. I had to meditate that question before my response.
Who? It seeks human concept and that human is in charge of Christianity around the world. I know there are different religions across the world but in this case the writer is specifically looking at a single religion which is Christianity.
My response to such question is coming from Biblical context. Psalm 145v3, 150v2: 1John 3v20, 4v4 just to highlight few Biblical scriptures. In Biblically, Christianity(is God) was introduced by God and it was reflected to the world through coming of His own Son. So in short Global Christianity is Jesus Christ. We need to know that God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit, so presence of Jesus Christ there is also God's presence, likewise father and Holy Spirit.
Yes. And also- who does not gather with me scatters...the challenge therefore is to strike a balance without compromise. The question is: How? What is the limit?