Here's a conundrum to chew on:
What do we make of Jesus' prayer for unity among his immediate disciples in John 17:11 (Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name ... so that they may be one as we are one) ...
And for all future disciples in 17:20-21 (I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you)?
This brings up two questions. The answer to the first seems obvious. The answer to the second is a challenge.
Question #1: Were Jesus' prayers for unity among believers heard by his Father?
The obvious answer: Undoubtedly.
Question #2: Were they granted?
There are only two possible answers. But "No" seems inconceivable theologically and "Yes" seems inconceivable experientially!
If "No", we have Jesus asking the Father for a good thing which seems to be in perfect alignment with God's will - but then the Father fails to honor the prayer.
If "Yes", we have the Father granting unity to modern believers - who we notice are split up worldwide among the Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox branches, which "boast" an estimated 45,000 different denominations* between them!
What's your answer? How do you resolve this?
* According to The Center for the Study of Global Christianity
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