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community scripture way |
discipleship
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Community Community was in the purpose of God from the beginning—community between God and humanity and within humanity (Genesis 2:18a - “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good for the man to be alone.’”). While humanity is indeed separated into individuals (“persons”), God’s intent is that we live in community. Even the image of the divine is seen as a community in the three persons of the trinity (different “persons”, yet unity). Scripture The Word of God has also been since the beginning (John 1:1 - “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.”). The essence of God’s Word is found in the incarnation of the Son - Jesus Christ. And Christ’s community, the Church, has carried on the message of the Word since Christ’s ascension. At one point, the Church compiled essentials of the Word (including those necessary unto salvation) written by saints over the ages and limited them into one book, what we have today - the holy scriptures, the written Word of God, the Bible. It makes most sense that the community, as broken as she may be today, be the one to carry on, interpret, and share the written Word together. Way A ‘way’ is not an end. A way includes the means. It is not the goal. It leads to the goal. A way is part-plan, part-path, part-method, part-course of action. It’s a movement towards something. Since scripture is not the end, it sends us somewhere, beyond it’s boundaries, out to live in the world. Scripture’s not really a roadmap, but more so a compass to help us find our way. It makes most sense that when approaching the holy scriptures, we do so together, as a community, with a direction in mind. The goal is community in Christ. |
