How Divinity School is Making Me More Catholic

Heh heh to assuage the fears of my Protestant brothers and sisters, no, I don't mean that I'm becoming a Roman Catholic. When I say catholic in this sense, I mean catholic with a little 'c', which is how the early Christian writers described the church. When I say catholic, I mean it using the classical definition of the word, καθολικος, (katholikos), which literally means "throughout the whole", and which we would translate, "universal".

My time in divinity school (even in the short month that I've been on campus and the few weeks of class) has reminded me, viscerally, of the need for community in the Christian life. For a while, I've been intensely focused on my own personal growth and my own holiness and how to build my own relationship with Christ. This morning, I read through 1 John and was struck by the perceived closeness of the Johannine community. The book is just full of we's, you all's and what love means. But the foremost idea is that we as Christians exhibit the love of Christ when we love one another. Thus, its a little difficult to show the love of Christ just on your own. I would say that the pursuit of this life in community was the base of the building of the canon of Scripture as well as the base of the Reformation. The Reformation was not meant to be a time to rally behind the individual's right to individual scriptural interpretation, but rather to reject that very view. The sentiment was that the Scripture was only being handled by the clergy and the laity had no part in it. But with the recognition of "the priesthood of all believers" and ideas like that, people were reminded that Christianity is a religion that we do and believe together, not in isolation from one another. Thus, today we must never forsake the role of the community in our lives as Christians. Our growth takes place within the community. Our joys can be shared within the community. Our pain and burdens can be borne by the community. The list goes on. 

But unfortunately we are forsaking that role. Too many people today are saying, "Well, my faith/religion is an intensely private matter." Well, I would go so far as to say this: if nobody around you knows that Christ is part of your life, something's wrong with the picture. If the fact that Christ saved you from an eternal hell doesn't prompt a response*, there might be a problem. No, this doesn't mean go around proselytizing every day and get up on your soapbox preaching against the woes of the world and the godless, hellbound heathens you're surrounded by. It doesn't mean you have to mention God in every sentence that comes out of your mouth. What it does mean, however, is that your life should be defined by Christ and bringing glory to Him. That is your purpose in life. Your ultimate purpose is not to work to make money to live comfortably for the rest of your life then die.* If it were, that would be a little depressing. Instead, you have been equipped and will be equipped by the Spirit of the living God to bring glory to Him on this earth. You've just got to figure out how He wants you to do it and the Church (the catholic one) can help you with that. That is what you must do and that is how you must view yourself. If you want an identity that can never fail nor disappoint you, identify yourself with Him...because anything else can fade. You and I can lose our minds, our intelligence, our bodies, our jobs, our families, our friends, our riches, and any other "possessions". But when you are in the hands of the Almighty Triune God, He will never lose you. Can you be satisfied with that? I know I'm still working on it.

Don't forsake the community of the saints and the gathering of believers. Your faith is absolutely not a private matter. You are a part of the catholic church, not some puny church of one. You are part of the Body of Christ, not a disembodied toe. Embrace it, live it, and the world will be better for it. 

Romans 1:16 - For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe, first to the Jew and also to the Greek.

*Obviously, there is no generic response. Salvation pushes us each in different directions. But ultimately we all work towards the goal of sanctification and eventually being united with Christ. 

2*: Those are good things, but they are not the best things. Even death is a doorway to a better existence. 

Endnote: Life in community is the best way for us as Christians to grow! Accountability can't take place without other people to hold you accountable. And the gifts of other members of the Body can only contribute to your spiritual growth. Moral of the story: find and get involved with a church community. It's not an option. It's an imperative...that is, if you want to grow in Christ. If you don't, feel free to ignore virtually every word I ever say.