We turned the corner in Ephesians today, from Paul's description of who we have been made in Christ, to his plea for us to "lead a life worthing of our calling." The big idea in this section was about living in the unity Christ has forged for us. We noted that the way in is the way on: we got into this life by God's sovereign grace in Christ, and we live it out by means of that same grace, through the same Christ. Christ teaches us to live as a unified community by giving us diverse gifts, causing us to depend on each other if we want to do any real good in his name. As we do the work of God together, building up the church together, we become more and more like Christ himself, and through us he fills the whole world with himself. There's a lot more going on in this passage, but that's the nutshell!
We took these thoughts into some discussion at the end of our gathering, and some really good thoughts emerged about how we foster unity, and deeper community, among the church. From simple things like being intentional about personally greeting and getting to know newcomers, to ideas about meeting the special needs of someone or a family in your community group... I liked the direction of the conversation.
So let's keep it going. I'm still interested to hear more ideas about how much a church like ours ought to voluntarily limit our individuality in order to "do life" with each other. How much do we get into each other's lives, and how much do we give people space? What about boundaries? How do we include families in community who have young kids (and therefore little free time)? How do we take intentional steps to get to know each other deeply, but still feel like relationships are organic and not contrived?
What are your questions about "unity" and about "community"? What are your thoughts about these questions, or about what we've seen in Ephesians, or about just about anything else?
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Tim states- "Christ teaches us to live as a unified community by giving us diverse gifts, causing us to depend on each other if we want to do any real good in his name."
ReplyDeleteOne issue this brings to mind revolves around the imperative for "doing good"- what does "doing good" mean? good for who? what is the goal of doing good?
Perhaps, living as a unified community is the means and the end. One might posit that the fullness of Christ exists in unity based upon dependence, not in altruism or some proselytizing evangelism. Thusly, maturity is found in communion not success. In being together not in competence.
This theory could use Paul's request that we "be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" as the key to a morality of unity. A community in which we include others because we need them. Because we are all lacking and broken. An inclusiveness of necessity and not of ideology.
What does this look like? How does it work? I think it depends entirely upon the "who". The question I want an answer to is who, not how.
Which might be yet another way in which to ask the lifelong question, where do I belong.
Matt, thanks for your thoughts.
ReplyDelete"One might posit that the fullness of Christ exists in unity based upon dependence, not in altruism or some proselytizing evangelism."
I think you have a good point. I might say it slightly differently: 'altruism' & 'evangelism' are, I think, both forms of what Paul calls "doing the work of Christ and building up the church" (Eph 4:12). The fruit of this work is the kind of unified community that you suggest describes the fullness of Christ. But I wouldn't pit these things against one another. Being the body of Christ means we must be, or perhaps 'get to be', unified with one another (as Paul says elsewhere "the hand can't say to the eye 'I don't need you.'") AND it means that together we do the "good works prepared for us to do" -- which include caring for others (altruism) and inviting others into the community (evangelism).
Being the Church is wrapped up in the call to be disciples of Jesus: together as a community we have been deputized to continue, in his name, Jesus' ministry of bringing healing, justice, and mercy to the world--as a living picture of the "kingdom of God". Unity is (as Matt says) both necessary as part of the method, and is an aspect of the goal. But it's not the totality of either.
At least, that's my two cents ;)
I am troubled that "Paul-brand-unity" would seem to be created through exclusion and hierarchical structure (Eph. 5:5; 6:5). These means seem antithetical to the goal of unity.
ReplyDeleteI sense that often the impulse behind altruism is guilt not love, asceticism not abundance. Moreover, and more troubling, in a world dominated by middle-class values, altruism can be used as a weapon against both the poor and the rich. The use of "doing good" to dominate others is both Machiavellian genuis and pure pharisaism. (Can altruism, however, be good? Sure.)
And evangelism. I think this can easily become a method by which the less powerful exert power over (as Paul might say) the 'masters". There is at root an irony in how we think of the last becoming first.
As i think through this ideas, I wonder if the basis of my apprehension stems from my concern that the "will to power" inherent in a community that wants to evangelize and "do good", that sees itself as fulfilling a divine destiny, could just as easily be motivated by a desire to dominate as by a desire to save.
I think you've raised some interesting insights, Matt. And you've keyed in on a couple great observations of Paul's letter. Ephesians is filled with the language of "power dynamics". It paints a picture of Christ's 'dominance' over all creation, including the 'rulers and authorities' of this world and the unseen spiritual world. He talks about Christians being seated (as in on the throne, at the bench) with Christ in the heavenly realms, and therefore over all things with Christ. And he casts a vision for a future where all things in heaven and earth come together under the authority of Christ. If you're sensitive to "will to power" dynamics, I can see why Ephesians would make you nervous!
ReplyDeleteBut one of the great ironies of the gospel is how Jesus, the one with all authority in heaven and earth, exerts his power 'under' people, rather than 'over' them. He powerfully serves, sacrifices, and humbles himself to accomplish his work--and calls his disciples to follow his example.
These are interesting themes. I'm curious to see how they play out in our discussions of Eph. 4-6!
BTW, you may be interested in a book called "The Myth of a Christian Nation" by Greg Boyd. Some of us read this together a while back, and found he had some really thoughtful things to say about this 'power over/under' dynamic. I didn't agree with all his conclusions, but he framed the issues well.