A Paradox of Unity in the Church

Intro

Seems to me there are two sorts of "unity" often confused and thought of as one. We want Christians to be united with each other and for the divisions among Christians to end. This is, I take it, what the Pope in some recent remarks meant by "full visible union...". But he also asked the rhetorical question: "Is Christ divided?" Christ is one and His Church is one because it is His body. But the oneness or unity of the Church is not the same as the oneness or unity of Christians whose divisions, let us suppose, have ended.

This difference is, then, very important to understanding the following paradox: Christ's Church cannot be divided but members within it and some of those professing to be members are, amongst each other, divided.

So how do we solve this paradox?

It seems there are at least two ways based on two ways of viewing the nature of the unity. Each way can then explain how division does not make the Church dis-unified. Way 1 makes the Church united by defining it as an abstracted collection: whomever is ultimately in heaven. Way 2 makes the Church united by making it a society, which so long as it persists and doesn't divide, is one society with identifiable individuality no less than any country or nation these days.

Way 1

The Church is nothing but a collection of whomever is, was, or will be heaven's citizens. That collection is abstract just as the collection of all the red objects is. We can never see that group. It's abstract. That's why the unity must be invisible. Once we define an abstract set, its members are never divided from each other. That's because *they are all members by definition of the set called 'Church'*. Such unity is perfectly indivisible, but the unity is merely *by definition*. Furthermore, the unity is invisible.

So how's Way 1 solve the paradox?

Any division that is visible is either: (1) division between between two members of this set; (2) division between two non-members; or (3) division between a member and a non-member. If (1) then the division must be temporary since those divided are members and so are, by definition, ultimately heavenbound. If (2) or (3), the division isn't the kind that causes the paradox at all. So, paradox solved. Any division between members must be temporary and so not be dividing the Church.

Way 2

The Church is a social organism, or a society. Compare it to any society or nation you know of. America is united because it is still America. If civil war were to rend our society into two societies, the original would cease to exist, just as the groups within the Austro-Hungarian Empire, by parting, destroyed that social unit. That empire, by dividing, ceased to exist. Now we can define membership in the Church. The members of the Church include those who were, are, or will be members of this society which now exists as a society, like any other human society. They may or may not ultimately end up in heaven, unlike Way 1. Church, as Way 2 see it, has membership or citizenship requirements, just as America does. Citizens can defect (it's called 'apostatizing') just as they can defect from America. One can gain citizenship (become a member) through baptism, just as by birth or naturalization one can become an American.

How's Way 2 solve the paradox?

This unity too is indivisible so long as that society persists. So far, for 2000 years, it has persisted one united society --like it or leave it, love it or hate it. The unity is the unity of the society and not of individuals within the society. So long as laws, customs, traditions, and government continues, a nation continues. It obviously needs some people, but the unity is not exhausted by the unity of the members.

What about the division within this society? That's what created the paradox. Division can exist between members or citizens of the Church just as between non-members. But no division destroying the unity of the society. Even if those divided persist in their attitudes, so long as they remain members (they avoid apostasy and mortal sin) they remain united simply by remaining in the one united society. The unity between two members is not by definition as in Way 1. It is by participation. And so, such unity must be visible. And so it appears to be fragile. But however small this society becomes (and now it is over 1 billion strong) it was promised by Christ to remain a single united society until He returns. What has more adamantine strength than Christ's promises?

How do we compare Way 1 and Way 2?

Is one way best? We have two types of unity that must never be confused: Way 1 is 'by definition' and Way 2 is 'by participation'. One is invisible, one visible. Both can solve the paradox. So let's compare them.

Way 1 is a unity nowhere to be found but in the idea -abstraction-of our minds. So it must be impossible for us to help achieve and impossible for us to affect it in any way. It's inert. That's good and bad. Division is temporary, but one never knows who is a member of the set (not even oneself) and so the division is something one needn't be overly concerned about --it's temporary if it's between members and so inevitably will be solved. (And Luther's advice that you know you are a member by believing you are is such an obviously liscence for self-deception and presumption that I reject it as clearly false).

Way 2 is much different. Christ's body can be wounded and hurt, though not divided. The division of the internal members is like cancerous cells. Some are expelled by the life within the body, or were parasites that never belonged. But unity is not merely in the mind but in history, just as the unity of America is historical not merely mental. This society, like any other, can be killed or divided and destroyed. But it hasn't been. That's a mark of credibility for Catholic Christians --that this may be what Christ promised shall endure all attacks of Hell. The Church, though marred with problems in every age, is the Bark of Peter yet to be sunk. It's not that Hell cannot affect it, but because Christ chose to suffer Hell in his body, in public, on display for mankind, and thus, his Church too will suffer, in public, on display for mankind and like Him, in the end, reign forever. And since the unity is visible and by participation we can do something about it, we can act as Christ did, and be united to Him as He to His Father, we can see whether we are united. None of that guarantees we will be in heaven because we don't know the future, but we can know that *if we are members in good standing when we die--if we abide in Him-- then we are promised heaven --He abides in us.*