Christians are divided from one another for a variety of historical reasons. The early church is seen as a model for Christian unity but we recognize there were divisions at the very beginning. Saint Paul had to deal with defending his apostolic authority against those who despised his apostleship. Gentile and Jewish Christians were suspicious towards one another. Things only went downhill as Persian Christians, Coptic Christians, and Syriac Christians were split from the greater communion of Rome and Constantinople. The Oriental Orthodox Churches split for a number of reasons and some accepted more and others less of the Ecumenical Councils. The Latin and Byzantine churches developed elaborate theologies and saw Oriental Churches as being theologically suspect. The later councils, the theological developments, and the theological heroes of the traditions made it difficult for true dialogue to take place. Fortunately, this was remedied in recent years as traditions have examined their own beliefs as well as those of their theological opponents. The traditions have shown an openness to one another but remain largely uninfluenced by the liturgies and theologies of the other.
Independent Sacramental Movement jurisdictions can be more flexible and creative in their historical appropriation of liturgical, sacramental, and theological beliefs and practices. One of my favorite examples of this is the White Book publishes by the Orthodox Catholic Church of America as Western, Oriental, and Eastern Orthodox liturgies are found together in a single source as well as modern liturgies. While I do not always agree with OCCA theology or practices, I believe their liturgical book provides an ideal framework for what the Independent Sacramental Movement should incorporate. The Church in her fullness includes Western, Oriental, and Eastern expressions of theology and liturgical practice. By praying in diverse ways, we can show how each liturgy tries to lead a believer to encounter the Divine in the midst of communal prayer. The Independent Sacramental Movement can and should use Western, Oriental, and Eastern approaches because no one way can fully express the divine reality. The goal for the Independent Sacramental Movement is not simply an appropriation of liturgies and theology but fostering a genuine understanding and building bridges between diverse expressions of Christianity.
May God bless and keep us.
Peace,
Ben
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