Each of the five practices in Yoder’s book can also be described in social process terms. This, of course, means that these Christian practices have a publicly acceptable aspect and in fact are the basis for social practices that are good for the community at large. For example:ÂÂ
1. when believers take seriously the ‘rule of […]
If you are a rule-biased traditionalist you would probably not like the conclusions reached at the Jerusalem council - reported in Acts 15. After reporting their experience among the Gentiles, Paul & Barnabas explained how membership occurred. Some of the believers were livid. They believed that he Gentiles could only become ‘members’ through the same avenue […]
In chapter 4 of Yoder’s book, “Body Politicsâ€?, he reminds us that every member has been gifted for the common good. He calls this the fullness of Christ. This clearly describes ‘church’ as it has seldom been experienced during the last 2000 years - at least. This dispersal of gifts to the whole body of Christ, he […]
Yoder begins his third chapter with a quote from 2 Cor. 5:17 “If anyone is united to Christ, there is a new world; everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!â€? In other words, as Paul wrote a few verses earlier, old standards have ceased to count in our estimate of anyone. Baptism, […]
In JH Yoder’s second chapter of Body Politics, he re-examines the meaning of the Lord’s Supper. Unfortunately, theological discussions on this topic have for centuries been anachronistic ’abstract debates’ that have long missed the point. When Jesus said, ‘whenever you do this, do it in my memory’ he was not setting up a trite little ceremony. […]
In JH Yoder’s book, Body Politics, he suggests that one of the primary characteristics of Christian community is the work of reconciliation. Christians take seriously Christ’s teaching to forgive others as they themselves have been forgiven by the Lord. This spirit of reconciliation is called the ‘law of Christ’.
An interesting point in Yoder’s comments is that God […]
For genuine Christian community to develop I think it is essential that the core ‘church’ group live in closer proximity to one another. In fact, proximity seems to be the key to the other 4 community values: mutuality, reconciliation, simplicity & diversity. Proximity offers more frequent interactions. Frequency of interaction helps people […]
If God, then peace
If Peace, then no war
If No War, then no hatred
If No Hatred, then love
If Love, then no fear
If No Fear, then no racism
If No Racisim, then no division
If No Division, then no injustice
If No Injustice, then compassion
If Compassion, then no poverty
If No Poverty, then no greed
If No Greed, then no corruption
If No […]
