The Community of the Church

I've been thinking about this idea a lot lately, but haven't had time to really delve into it and do the research I'd like. That said, I don't know if this post will do the topic justice, for this will really just be a rambling of my thoughts.

I truly believe that Individualism as a construct is silently destroying the American Church. (and perhaps the Western Church altogether, but I cannot speak to what I do not know.) The reason I say individualism as a construct and not as an ideology is simple: applied as an ideology it takes place in the realm of the public sphere (business, politics, etc). This is important for human rights and political freedoms. However, when individualism invades the private sphere (and I am including the Church here, which I recognize is debatable), it systematically prioritizes the self over the community, fostering self-help, self-entitlement, and an overabundance of self-importance.

I find the doctrine of Irresistible Grace in extreme conflict with Individualism, and personally find it places more emphasis on the Church as the Body of Christ than on individual salvation. Let me explain. While the work of Grace takes place on an individual level, it's my understanding that Calvinism as a whole views redemption and salvation as entirely driven by G-d's Will and Design. That is to say, He calls us to Himself to fulfill His purposes.

I struggled with Irresistible Grace because it inevitably raises the question (as it should) Why Me? But, when you consider that G-d calls individuals to collectively pursue His Glory, as part of the Church, it takes the emphasis off of yours-and-my salvation, and places it on the corporate salvation and redemption of the Church as a living Body, fulfilling His Will on Earth.

The Church, for us today, is one of the few places we experience the fullness of G-d's work in us. We struggle to live and love as a community -- not bound by any earthly affiliations, but welded by the Holy Spirit. In this, we learn love, forgiveness, patience, humbleness, etc. We bring our sins to light that they may chain us no more. We laugh and grieve, and carry each other through all of life's ups and downs. Or so we should. Because it is in this broken vessel, the Church, that G-d displays the love for His Bride to the world. This is His Glory and His purpose.

I do not particularly like paraphrasing Scripture, but think about the Great Commission in this light. Instead of 'Therefore go and make disciples of all nations...' which seems unattainable and better left to missionaries, what if we saw it more like this: 'Go, and find your brothers and sisters, and bring them home.'

As I said above, I did not have much time to research this diligently. There's still a few books/articles I'd like to read on the topic, and I may have to visit it again later.