Blog Schism?

I was waiting for it to happen.  It was inevitable, really.  But the charge has now been made that the beginning of this new blog is a result of (gasp!) a “blog schism” between some contributors here and Reformedcatholicism.com, where some of us used to contribute.  It is interesting to hear the word “schism” used for blogging.  I mean, if a Christian writer decides to go with a different publisher for whatever reason, would we refer to this as a “book schism”?  But that aside, I figured I’d clear up some misconceptions.  Jason Wells has written:

The blog Reformed Catholicism has seen schism as several members start a new blog, Evangelical Catholicity. The presenting issue seems to be the question of methods for evangelizing Mormons, but these things always run deeper.The split seems amicable as is reported by both sides. From Evangelical Catholicity’s initial post:

This blog was started by a small group of Anglicans and Presbyterians who share a common hope for the reunion of Christendom. For information on who we are and what this blog is about, please look at the “About” and “Contributors” pages. We hope that this blog will facilitate irenic dialogue between Christians seeking understanding of and union with those from other confessional backgrounds with whom they may disagree.

Reformed Catholicism’s equivalent post is indeed longer. Comprehending it is left as an exercise to the reader.

One piece of hype surrounding the Christian sector of the so-called blogosphere is “blog-level ecumenism.” That is to say, according to the hype, that Christians who would ordinarily be bound by bricks-and-mortar churches or stone-tablet confessional statements cannot encounter one another in the setting of the institutional church. However, blogging breaks down these barriers and we can see Anglican, Lutheran and Reformed Christians talking together or Baptists and Catholics sharing Bible studies online. See the hope of “irenic dialogue,” above.

My general approach to blogs tends to be one that shies away from hype and hucksterism, so glowing reports of a reunited, digital church don’t immediately appeal.

Could the Reformed Catholicism-Evangelical Catholicity split be one of the first examples of “blog-level schism?” That is, we now have an act of division (however small) within the church that would not have existed without blog tools.

I don’t plan on exploring this very much, but there’s no point in acting like people are unaware of the fact that some of us used to write at a different site and now do so here.  Since we are still at the very beginning stages of this new blog, it is needful to at least briefly address this issue, lest there be any misconceptions about why we are here.  Of course, whatever clarifying questions anyone might have, as long as they are relevant to this particular post, are welcome to be presented for discussion in the comment thread.

Bro. Jason,

I agree that those who think that disunity can be overcome through blogging are misguided. I assure you that I am not one of them, and I don’t think Kevin is either. Both Reformed Catholicism and now Ev. Catholicity exist for the purpose of conversation and building of understanding. As you admit in your comment above, there was no “schism,” strictly speaking. There was simply a movement of some to do the majority of our blogging at a different location. However, we still confess each other as brothers, and still desire ongoing discussion with each other for the sake of greater understanding (at least I do), though this will undoubtedly now look somewhat different.

And the issue was not over evangelizing Mormons, actually. Neither was it over any particular doctrinal disagreement, as we have all been aware for quite some time that we see many things differently. The primary issue which led some of us to desire an alternative site was different perspectives on how strictly a group blog should be moderated both for commenters as well as contributors, and a desire for a more irenic tone of conversation. Initially, a “split” was not what was desired, and I still don’t look at it this way. Both Kevin and myself, as well as the others involved in this whole thing, though differing on some important points, still share the same desire and goal for Christian unity, and thus remain together in this regard. I at least don’t think it will ever be acheived through blogging, and I am actually quite opposed to internet “fellowship,” if by this is meant a sort of virtual alternative to the tangible reality of the visible Church. If interent discussion ever comes anywhere near approaching anything like that for me, I pray to God that he will grant me the grace to completely quit all internet activity. And if I lack the ability to do this, I pray he will destroy my computers and make it utterly impossible for me to have an internet connection in my home again. That would be worlds better than to be so dillusional as to think that internet discussion is a valid alternative to the nourishment and fellowship provided by the presence of Christ made manifest in the visible church and her ministry of Word and Sacrament.