So, I like biology, and sometimes science gives us better terms than the humanities (for those who disagree, please see www.xkcd.com to observe the numerous instances in which this are true). Several different genetic permutations, genotypes, result in the same end-product, or phenotype. For instance, two different sets of code could produce the same eye color, the same height, or the same disease. Similarly, two different diseases could produce the same symptoms and the same adverse affects. In political terms, the neo-con and the paleo-con fight like hell cats with one another, but they both voted for McCain rather than Obama in November. Different genotypes can and often do produce the same phenotype in the real world (outside of biology), especially when prudence is taken into account.
Earlier we had a question that asked if 300 different Christian denominations could agree on social or political causes in the same way if they disagreed on core doctrinal issues. The answer, I think, is a cautious "yes."
A strictly social gospel is a problem, but it doesn't surprise me that the social aspect of the gospel, loving one's neighbor, has been the only thing that many churches have been able to rally together around. Similarly, the Pope's bulls (ha!) have always been addressed to "all people of good will" (making it the longest running blog in history). Not specifically to Christians, but to all people of good will. hmm.
There is some validity in this, and I'm not saying that because I think he speaks with the voice of God. A methodist, a Lutheran, a Catholic, and a Pentecostal will all disagree on what happens during the Lord's Supper concerning both the elements and the recipient, but all will generally agree that one ought treat others with Christian Charity. I'm sure we've all seen the publicized efforts of "Christians joining hands in Haiti" or in several different inner city churches sponsoring joint work-days or soup kitchens. Many protestant missionaries are unaffiliated with a particular denomination, though they themselves, of course, align personally with a one.
We see in the Act and in the Pauline Epistles that this social (sorry, the word fits here) dimension of Christianity is important. Important enough, in fact, that the caveat to "only remember the poor" occurs often when instructions are sent, and the direction for the transportation of alms internationally takes up lines in the new testament as well. These charitable practices were seen as necessary, such that circumcision could be done away with, but not these. My church teaches that they are not necessary for salvation, but that does not make them any less necessary for the christian to do.
Oddly, churches that have disagreed on whether or not to condone abortion or even the uniqueness of Christ have been able to agree that "all people of good will" ought join hands in acts of Charity.
A unified visible Christian church is not an impossible thing. It existed once. I am not saying that we will ever be able to see the heart the way God does, or that we will ever create a heaven on earth before the Last Day when God creates a new heaven and a new earth, but I am saying that we should take note that the only time denominations come together in one place and join together to act like one church may currently be the charitable scene, and this, perhaps, may be a better starting place for a visibly united Christendom than political states forming war and peace agreements.
Sometimes, many genotypes make one phenotype. I can talk until I'm blue in the face about another Christian, disagreeing about synergism or the Lord's Supper, but we can somehow both generally agree that we have a duty to love our neighbor. Sometimes this general agreement can even turn into a particular agreement, such as two churches jointly funding an inner-city day camp as a mission for children.
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