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Growing up, the Christian doctrines that would formulate my early beliefs swung wildly as my teenage moods, first in the Catholic, then in a non-denominational church.
In Catholicism, I perceived doctrinal rigidity immediately as the only way to salvation. As non-denom, the promise was freedom from doctrine -- a falsehood as all churches have doctrines.
In both, the doctrine itself set us apart and formed identities for the world to see. Later, the Presbyterian and United Methodist churches continued shaping me.
But is denominational doctrine what sets us apart as Christians in the world? Do denominational beliefs point to our membership in Christ's Church or simply our church?
Peter's first epistle encouraged early gentile Christ followers outside of Judea in a time when the pressures of living in a non-Christian world made their discipleship difficult. Thus, Peter reminds these believers that they are to be set apart:
"As you set yourselves apart by your obedience to the truth so that you might have genuine affection for your fellow believers, love each other deeply and earnestly" and "Your heart should be holy and set apart for the Lord God” (1 Peter 1.22, 3.15).
While there were discrepancies among early church leaders over theology, there weren't denominational doctrines. To be set apart as Peter states, meant something different.
For Christians, it meant not conforming to the world's ways, but to Christ's ways, witnessed in how he loved ALL people. It was witnessed at the cross, the empty tomb, and during the Pentecost event.
It wasn't a denominational difference that identified Christians, nor was it a creed. What identified Christians was how they loved ALL people. Jesus said, "Just as I have loved you, you also must love each other. This is how everyone will know that you are my disciples..." (John 13:34-35).
To be a Christian didn't mean defending a doctrine; it was a way to live in the world receiving and giving of Christ's love. Denominations are important: They hold congregations accountable and represent them to the Church. But too often we see Christians receiving, but not giving, Christ's love. So if a denominational doctrine hinders Christ's love for all people -- preventing acceptance of different genders, abilities, faiths, races, orientations, nationalities and even beliefs -- then what sets one apart isn't Christ's love, but one's own beliefs.
And this is what Peter warns against. The pressures of the world increasingly attack our potential to love like Jesus loves, the same today as it was yesterday.
Instead of conforming to the world or hiding behind a denomination, shouldn't we first follow Christ's loving example? How he accepted prostitutes, tax collectors, pharisees, and sinners? How he elevated women and children and gave names to beggars, lepers and those with physical and intellectual disabilities? How he died for each of us on the cross?
This is what it means to be set apart. And it is the only way that God's loving kingdom expands on earth as it is in heaven.
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Christopher Kostyn Passante is a writer and pastor living in State College. Contact him at cpassante@susumc.org.