As children Heinz products were always part of our grocery shopping – baked beans, tomato ketchup… The label said ’57 varieties’. I wondered if in the Heinz factory there was a list of the 57 varieties…
I was brought up in a good ‘Bible believing’ church. I knew my Bible stories and Christian doctrine. I knew why we were right and other folks who called themselves Christians were wrong.
There was only one variety of Christian.
When I was a student, I heard the hugely respected Anglican John Stott explain why he believed in infant baptism – a practice that I ‘knew’ was wrong. He used Bible references to explain his beliefs – the same Bible I used to believe that he was wrong.
Perhaps there was more than one variety.
Years later we attended Lent home groups that included folks from all of the churches in the town – Anglicans, Baptists, Methodists… In our group were two Roman Catholic nuns. I knew that Roman Catholics were wrong… These two nuns demonstrated a profound faith that I recognised and admired.
The number of varieties was increasing.
Over the years I have heard Christians take diametrically opposing views on many issues… creation and evolution, women in ministry, abortion, sexuality, assisted dying, other religions… Christians promote their particular variety of politics claiming that God is on their side…
Each side passionately takes the spiritual high ground, claiming theirs is the ‘Biblical’ view, demanding or assuming that other Christians must agree with them. There’s only one variety of Christian.
Henry Heinz introduced the slogan “57 pickle Varieties” in 1896. ‘57’ was an arbitrary number – the Heinz company was already selling more than 60 products.
I remain passionate in what I believe… but Christian faith is loving and inclusive. I’m learning to be humble in respecting those I disagree with… continually searching for truth… willing to change my view. Unity in diversity isn’t easy, but it’s truly Christian. The numerous varieties of Christians is a thing of wonder, beauty, perhaps even necessity.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Well said, Malcolm. I’ve also fellowshiped with Christians from diverse backgrounds and traditions, and I believe their faith is genuine.
A few days ago, while reading my devotionals, a writer rephrased the words of Christ from the book of Matthew: “If you can see the speck in someone else’s eye, it means there’s a board in your own.”
Blessings to you and yours.
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The Heinz “57 varieties” illustration is brilliant for the point you’re making. I like the honesty in tracing that journey from certainty to a more humble, inclusive understanding of faith.
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