CHURCH, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

Lutheran pastor Imme calls for greater amity in the body of Christian worship in this posthumous work.

The book opens with classic biblical instances of familial schisms, from Cain and Abel to Jacob and Esau, all stemming from the ultimate example of such a split: “Satan himself has come to direct his troops of demonic forces against God’s people,” the text opens; “however, Jesus saw this coming and equipped His people to emerge victorious.” The book uses these stories from Scripture as the backdrop to a discussion of similar schisms in the church community and an urging of greater understanding and unity. The Christian church is made up of imperfect people, Imme notes, and the multitude of voices and approaches should be seen as a strength: “God in His infinite wisdom has allowed many different types of churches to proliferate throughout the world,” the author writes, “because the people He has created are so creative and unique.” The book asserts to its Christian target audience that pulling away from God ultimately serves the forces of evil. “Satan…knows that left to our own devices…we will make increasingly harmful decisions.” He asks if this division has led the church to separate itself from the very things Jesus prioritized. Overall, Imme wisely strikes a calm and conciliatory tone throughout what could otherwise be an off-puttingly angry treatise. He intriguingly diagnoses some of the current ills of the Christian world, including the wariness that established churches and smaller, fundamentalist organizations sometimes feel toward one another. The author’s one strong admonishment is a warning against devout people who “quote the Word of God to validate their unholy acts of violence, racism, classism, and rebellion,” rather than be led by the example of Jesus. Christians will read this work with interest, regardless of the size of their religious community.

A frank and sympathetic assessment of church divisions.