The Communal Aspect Of Being A Christian

(I have hesitated for some time about making this post.  First, I worry about presenting something new within Protestant circles on Integrity.  This is a Catholic blog with a mostly Catholic audience, and I wouldn't want people to get the wrong impression about what I believe or to explore something that I have doubts about and that might lead them away from the Church.  Second, I want to be respectful of the nature of the conversation that these Christians are having.  I think Integrity's readers have shown themselves to be a noble lot, but there's a tendency to worry about that possible one bad apple who follows the links below and makes a complete you-know-what of himself.  Nevertheless, I have decided to take the risks and make the post.)

I am not sure how I originally came across what has been dubbed the emergent church conversation, but my curiosity was piqued when I encountered Steve McCoy's blog, Reformissionary.  (It also happens to be the case that Steve lives in my general area.)  Truthfully, I can't really figure out what the heck the  emergent church conversation is about.  It probably doesn't help that I also don't share an evangelical Protestant background.  Maybe then I would grasp some of the concepts easier.  I remember attending The Vine's conference five years ago and there being a huge interest in the Christianity and Post-Modernism panel.  I stood there scratching my head wondering what the fuss was all about.  I have long thought post-modernism offered some insightful critiques, but as a deconstructionist view it ultimately collapses in on itself.  So any Christian effort that applies post-modern thought leaves me skeptical. 

But I was drawn to the blogs of Steve and his friends by the genuine seeking of God that is abundantly apparent behind some of their questions and observations.  And this was only affirmed for me by the  discussion about rediscovering the communal nature of being a Christian at this post on Steve's other blog, Emerging SBC Leaders.  Of course, even us Catholics need to remind ourselves that Christianity isn't just me and Jesus.  Hey, we live in America, too, and are just as prone to the culture's influence.

It is one of the reasons why I have so appreciated my time with the Communion and Liberation movement and the work that we are currently doing reading Fr. Giussani's book, Why the Church?.  (I think Steve and his friends would appreciate Fr. Giussani's work.)  In fact, the past two weeks in School of Community we have specifically discussed koinonia, a Greek word that the early Christians chose to describe this new people Christ brought together.  Fr. Giussani notes that this word, koinonia,  is not originally a word with religious significance.  In fact, a form of it is used in the Gospel (Luke 5:10), to describe how John, James and Peter jointly owned a fishing boat.  Fr. Giussani draws from this word  two elements: joint ownership of the fishing boat and flowing from that joint ownership a solidarity amongst the fishermen to make the boat profitable.  And given that these very men chose to describe this new people as a koinonia, Fr. Giussani argues that this new people gathered by Christ are a koinonia because they jointly possess -- belong to -- a common reason for living, that is Jesus Christ.  And that from this joint possession -- belonging to the one Christ -- flows a solidarity between them.  But the fishing boat example gives us something more.  If the fishermen did not cooperate, did not recognize and affirm their solidarity, their enterprise would fail.   Now I have not completed my reading of Why the Church?, but I know enough about Fr. Giussani's writings and the description of the Church in Acts to know that that same lesson applies to us.  Our salvation and journey to sanctification is wrapped up in this people that Christ called together and we need to embrace that if we want to draw closer to Him.

Comments

[Mayela]

Hi Jack,

I was very surprised of your understanding of what Fr. Giussani means by the greek word "koinoia". It's funny how I got so tangled up last week trying to explain this to some guys at our school of community and you so easily lay it out in here. I do believe the works of Father Giussani have made me not only a better Catholic (if such term would even apply) but a better human being. I desire, like you, to be happy and I have understood that it is only through living in this community, with the truth, that I can attain what I look for. Thanks for reminding me of this word "koinonia".
Mayela.
P.D. By the way, I thought I should brag (for no one has complimented me) and tell you that I took the picture of the Way of the Cross at downtown Chicago led by CL. The very same one u have posted here. yay!

[JACK]

Hi Mayela!

Yes, I suppose I should apologize for (1) swiping the pictures from your website and (2) for posting versions of them without attribution. I hope you don't mind. And since no one has, let me say that you took great pictures from the event!

Now the real question is, have you figured out who I am yet (as you do know me)? (Ah, the subtlety of my pseudonym.)

[Mayela]

huh...I know you? I guess I do since you do mention doing SoC. I know pretty much everyone who does SoC in Chicago. Can't figure it out...just yet.
What you must absolutely know is that I have enjoyed reading your blog. What strikes me the most is your deep, sincere, attentive, amazing search for the truth, Christ himself, who corresponds.
My heart was once awakened (out of boredom, thirst for meaning) and I too started the search. Never will it end until I see him myself. Nonetheless even now, I enjoy His Presence. Thank you for yours.

Mayela.

P.S I should learn how to use one of these blogs, for I also have daily journal entries on-line but with a crappy (sorry for the expression) provider. More commercial, kind of like "xanga".

P.S.S. No, I don't mind you took the pics, that's what they are for!!