A Plan for Unity

In 1941, the 14-year project begun by Danish-American sculptor Gutzon Borglum—his “Shrine of Democracy Sculpture,” better known as Mount Rushmore—was completed by his son. This monumental work, depicting George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln, draws visitors from around the world each year.     Few people realize there is a hidden chamber behind Lincoln’s eyebrow. Its 18-foot-tall doorway leads to a room about 75 feet long with a 35-foot ceiling. Called the “Hall of Records,” it was originally intended to preserve artifacts about our nation’s founding and principles for future generations—and even, as some have suggested, for visitors from beyond this world (history.com).     Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we had a place to preserve the secret of Christ’s church and its success?     We do—it is the New Testament. If the Lord’s church were ever to disappear from the earth, and some distant civilization later discovered a copy of the New Testament, they could fully reproduce what we enjoy today. This divinely inspired blueprint never loses its relevance. It reveals the truths through which God’s people can always find unity—not through personal opinions or preferences, but through faithful acceptance of God’s given basis for unity (Ephesians 4:3–5).     Whenever division threatens to separate two Christians, one thing is certain: one or both are failing to follow the clear teaching of Scripture. The Bible teaches and produces unity. If the church is to truly bless the world, it must value and practice genuine biblical unity (John 17:21). - David Bragg is co-editor of BulletinGold and former minister with the Northwest Church of Christ in Greensboro, NC.. He may be contacted through his blog: http://davidbragg.blogspot.com/