Sunday, August 08, 2010

Either Doctrine OR Community?

In a recent post, I mentioned two problems we often face.  We're given a choice between two things, and we're given the idea that one of the choices must be right.  Also, in other cases, since we have two choices, we're given the idea that one must be wrong.

An example of the latter, and the point of this post, could be the false dichotomy that has been created in ecclesiology that tells us that church either has doctrine or community.  It's as if both can't be realities.  There has been much tension over the last few decades over the idea of community within a church body.  Many who have left the traditional/institutional church complain about a lack of community.  People go to church every Sunday, sit there, listen to a sermon preached by one person, and go home.  There is relatively little interaction between people concerning the New Testament one-anothers.  As a counter complaint, many within the institutional church claim these newer community groups meet to emote and have social interaction, but forsake doctrine and solid leadership.  Much may be true of each complaint, but why can't both be part of church?

Why can't there be solid doctrine and good teaching while at the same time strong community bonds between the members of the body?  I'm sure there can be.

3 comments:

  1. I think of the verse in Acts "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship and in the breaking of bread and in prayers" So yes it is possible to have strong community bonds and doctrine but I wonder about today.

    I left the 'church' I spent 20 years in because I differed in doctrine and could no longer be silent, but I had 20 years of wonderful 'one-anothering'. I was 'judicially' erased because I wouldn't go back and be taught of them. Isn't that the way it is in most denominations today, you have to agree with everything in order to 'have' community?

    I have that type of fellowship and doctrine now outside the church but in the church I'm not sure how that would work out. No freedom of conscience anymore, just blind acceptance.

    How would you combat that mentality?

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  2. They both need to exist - hopefully in balance.

    "I have that type of fellowship and doctrine now outside the church but in the church I'm not sure how that would work out. No freedom of conscience anymore, just blind acceptance." (Eileen)

    I agree Eileen. I have been out of the church for 10 years and those have been the most freedom expression years of my life...I also have developed my theology during that time with more ease than within the system.

    I think the church needs to change - and adapt to the information age they are living in. We won't all agree, but do we really need to?

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  3. The age old question of course, do we really need to agree? Well certainly on many essential things we do need to agree as there is only ONE Gospel. I guess the argument seems to be what are those essential things. Seems like the focus is on the non essentials and Christ is often greatly neglected, or that is the way it was for me.

    I’m thankful and pleased it is no longer that way!

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