Exclusivity and Inclusivity in the Church

.....features of exclusivity and inclusivity that appear in Ezra and Third Isaiah respectively are indicative of the overall character of the Church and the true Christian orientation. Just as Christ has two natures -- a human and a divine -- the Christian has a double-sense of duty, one that is to recognize the exclusive right of worship that belongs to God alone and one that is to exercise charity to others. The commandments that Christ gives to his followers are not ten but two: love God and love your neighbor (Mark 12:30-31) -- the former refers to the exclusivity that is depicted in Ezra and the latter refers to the inclusivity that is depicted in Third Isaiah.

The exclusivity practiced in the Book of Ezra is understandable in light of the historical situation of the Jews -- the Passover had occurred and was being celebrated as the faith of the Chosen People was re-affirmed with the rebuilding of the temple (6:19-22). This "celebration that marks the dramatic restoration off worship in Jerusalem" (Brueggeman, Linafelt, 2012, p. 408) what sets the Jews apart: the alone have received revelation directly from God -- thus the religion they practice is exclusive by definition.

However, it is not exclusive in terms of persons but just in terms of faith. Only those who have faith can partake in the exclusivity, as the Passover itself signifies (their faith is what saves them). When it comes to persons, on the other, the religion is inclusive because it bars no one based on personal background; the only condition for admittance is faith. Thus, Isaiah focuses on inclusivity to stress this other fundamental part of the religion of God. As it is rooted in the prophecy of the coming of the Redeemer, the notion of inclusivity is especially important because Christ comes not just to redeem the Jews but the Gentiles as well. Isaiah contains the Messianic Secret -- the prophecy of the Messiah who is come for all. Yet, the Messiah comes through the lineage of David -- i.e., through the Jews, who thus retain an exclusive right to be the first to receive the Messiah. Yet, of course, they are the ones who are the first to reject Him -- having first no room in the inn (and, thereupon, the Magi from the East become the first to honor Him with gifts) and then finally they pursue His death upon the cross, which Isaiah also prophecies. That Christ would turn to the Gentiles is illustrative of the inclusivity of the Church.

In this moment of history in which there is a great polarization of society, the Word of God clearly calls us to remember both the exclusive nature of the faith and the inclusive nature of the Church. Jesus, our Wisdom, leads us beyond our own tightly and often politicized positions to appreciate that faith transcends all forms of prejudice and is offered and extended to one and all -- to Muslim, to Hindu, to Syrian, to German, to Russian, to Chinese, to men and to women. It is not a faith that is nationalistic or that is for only one set of people. However, to be inclusive, the Church must be adamant on the principle of the faith -- of the exclusive right to worship that Jesus as the Son of God and the Second Person of the Holy Trinity possesses. To imagine that all are welcome in the Church regardless of faith is to violate this principle of exclusivity which the Book of Ezra clearly commemorates.

What is prophetic today is perhaps the manner in which nationalism appears to be spreading all over the world, from the UK to the US to France, Italy, Holland, Russia, China and the Philippines. Yet what we should remember is that while country is important because we are all neighbors, it is vital that also love God who has exclusive right over our first love impulse.

References

Brueggeman, W., Linafelt, T., (2012). An Introduction to the Old Testament: The Canon and Christian Imagination. Lousiville: Westminster John Knox Press.