Monday, March 19, 2007
Christian Community
I know it has been a long time since my last blog… I have been processing through the idea of holiness and how as Christians we need community in finding real holiness. Dietrich Bonhoeffer states: “The physical presence of other Christians is a source of incomparable joy and strength to the believer.” During this time of seeking wholeness and holiness, I have come to recognize a greater importance for Christian community in different forms. Many times in the past I only saw small groups as ‘real community,’ because it was a place of growth and transformation. In deed a small group is that, but working together repairing a tractor, or taking a car ride to Taco Bell for fourth meal, or even two guys working out at 6:45 a.m. can be a place of transformation. Anytime two or more Christians come together it should be a joy, because you are able to share spiritual truths. Bonhoeffer says: “There is probably no Christian to whom God has not given the uplifting experience of genuine Christian community at least once in his life.” So my question to you is, how do you experience Christian community on your journey?
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6 comments:
I tend to agree, with you but am hesitant to agree with: "we need community in finding real holiness."
First, I'm not sure if that's an assertion or just something you're processing so i'm not making an accusation.
But if it is an assertion I wonder what we do about the holy mothers and fathers of the desert: St. Antony, St. Mary of Egypt and the like.
I guess one could cite the visits made to them by many, but that seems insufficient. I dunno, i'm not really making a point or disaggreeing I'm saying we need to think of the ascetic life too.
Ben thanks for being the first comment on my blog. I would have to say there is some hesitant in the back of my mind. But, having said that, lets move on with “we need community in finding real holiness” as an assertion.
I want to start looking at it from a salvation standpoint; can someone come to know Christ outside of community? I would argue no, that to know Christ and have real faith comes through the sharing of the Gospel by the Church. Thus starting one on the road of Holiness. I will give into natural revelation that someone can know and under in a god figure.
Ben would you say that the mothers and fathers came to know the Lord Jesus Christ only through seeking in the desert or did they come to know Christ through a community. Someone preaching the Gospel or another sharing his or her faith?
A second point from theology and church history that makes me think Holiness needs community is the doctrine of the Trinity. To some degree does God in three personhood help with being Holy? I am not sure; you are more knowledgeable about Church History.
So basically you're just saying that there is no salvation outside of the Church.
I can completelly agree with that!!
As far as trinity helping with holiness I don't like to think of two ontological attributes of God being separate. Thus I wouldn't ever talk about God as being not holy, less holy or more holy. He is just wholly HOLY. The same can be said about Trinity. God IS Trinity. Thus we can't say what ifs about him if he was not trinity because that is a total nonreality. I would even object to the philosophical "possible worlds" approach that tried to imagine a wold without God as Trinity.
But that's just me. I'm not saying one can't speak like that, but what I am saying is that I choose not to speak like that because I think it may take us down heretical streams that we dare not venture.
Maybe I'm too conservative and dogmatic???
Hey keeser is it time for another post yet?
Christian Community is supposed to be our extended spiritual family. Here we can share our cares and concerns expecting for prayers, love and understanding. I agree that in a christian community we can become holy as long as we study together the Word of God -the Bible which is our "Living Manual," learn together and apply what we have lerned to one another. We cannot do this outside a christian community, because you will not be free to share about your spiritual experiences, you will be branded as Jesus freak.
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