"Paul's Idea of Community, 3rd Edition" (Robert J. Banks)

TITLE: Paul's Idea of Community: Spirit and Culture in Early House Churches
AUTHOR: Robert J. Banks.
PUBLISHER: Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2020, (240 pages).

Many people have pretty positive views about the word 'Community.' It is a good way to deflect attention from self toward others. We have all learned the importance to be in it for the greater good. Unfortunately, this word has been overused, even abused. It can also become a cliche for political correctness or to score points with our support base. For many Christians, the word 'community' has become a part of their Church or non-profit names. Lest we diminish the true meaning of community, it is good to come back to the biblical definition and understanding of community. The prime example: The Early Church. This book takes a look at community using references from his epistles to the various churches at that time. The third edition thoroughly revises and updates the material for a new generation. Also include is an article with a catchy title: "Going to Church in the First Century." However, the crux of the book is the same: to highlight the key themes of community from the many epistles of Paul in the New Testament, the apocrypha, Jewish writings, and extra-biblical sources. The main source will remain the New Testament epistles. Although Paul did not proceed step by step to build on his theology of the community, Banks actually did by arranging the book according to themes. He begins with a sociological and religious settings to give readers a context from which Paul's ideas were cultivated. This will give us a better understanding on the origins and nature of community in the first century. The goal of community was not some kind of altruism or harmony, but Christian maturity. This is important because it points us back to Christ. A community that is Christian in the first place must lead us toward Christ. It cannot become an end in itself. A community is visible through its interactions and members' behaviour toward each other. Through meals and signs of fellowship, the body of Christ is a unity of body, mind, and spirit. The acts of baptism, communion, fellowship, the sharing of possessions, gifts, and ministry support of one another allow the gifts of grace to be evident. The gifts of God to the community are there to help members edify the body.  They are there to promote unity and diversity at the same time.

There are some chapters on specific issues such as women's role in the community, especially on Paul's prohibitions on women. At least on a relative scale, Christian communities at that time give women more rights than societal norms. Paul also takes time to dissolve any legalistic distinctions that threaten the fabric of unity. That was why he takes pains to tell the communities that neither male nor female; slave or free; Jews or Gentiles; priests or laity; or any distinguishing status in society should ever separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. Paul also argues for the abolishing of all kinds of discriminatory practices; in particular, gender, race, and class distinctions. On leadership in the community, Paul teaches leadership by function rather than by position. There are also teachings about how communities ought to welcome visitors, guests, and missioners. Paul makes an important point about a community that needs to look outward more than inward. The chapter on the link between mission and the Church does exactly that. The community of Christ is both local and global; centralized and decentralized. This is a powerful reminder that structures don't define communities. It is the reverse that is true.


While it is true that Paul's emphasis on community is not unique, his epistles reveal one of the most prominent teachings on the meaning and nature of community. On top of that, he anchors his ideas on Scripture, something that modern believers ought to emulate, instead of merely following the world's thoughts and examples. For that matter, Christians as salt and light ought to flavour and show the way on what true community looks like. Going the biblical way is certainly the preferred way. The author treats this rather comprehensively. He looks at the concept of community from the socio-cultural and religious settings, arguing that if we want to understand Paul's ideas, we need to grasp the social and religious contexts at that time. Understanding the three main social and religious groups (voluntary associations, religious groups, and philosophical schools) shine a light on the nature of community. Jews at that time form "brotherhoods" as a reaction against Roman authoritarianism. Greeks, Romans, and philosophers question the relevance of religions and reacted with cynicism. Banks argues that Christian communities are shaped out of these environments. Yet, Paul tries to free the Christian communities from being conformed to such expectations. Instead, they are held to higher standards: Morality without legalism; respectful but not compromise; and bounded but yet free. Freedom for Paul is profoundly independent, dependent, and interdependent.

My Thoughts
First, the Christian community is focused on Christ. In trying to piece together Paul's idea of a Community, it is important to note that the topic of community was never the main thing in his letters. Paul's purpose was for the Church to grow in holiness and Christlikeness. When writing about unity for the community, the focus is on the Head of the Church, which is Christ. The anchor of faith is Christ. The purpose of coming together in love is essentially about honouring Christ. One might even say that a true community is the Christian community because only in Christ can anyone manifest true unity. This is another way of saying that true unity is unity in the truth. This is the core reason for community. Reasons that are anything other than Christ would be considered peripheral reasons.

Second, Paul did not set out to focus on community in the first place. Even though Paul has been systematic and rational in his presentation of the gospel, it does not necessarily mean that community was something that "proceeds logically from one point to another." It takes a lot of study to identify the patterns of community mentioned either directly or indirectly in Paul's writings. Banks help do the heavy-lifting on our behalf to reveal many precious lessons about what community looks like and how we can also pattern our modern communities after them. So, do not glorify the community or Paul's ideas about community because that was not his purpose at all.

Finally, why should anyone read this book? Answer: We need one another to push us toward Christ. We are called to love one another in order that people may know we are disciples of Christ. A community of love will draw people to the Source of this unity and love. As one leafs through each chapter, one would quickly discern the central heartbeat of the book: individuals are members of the body of Christ working and supporting one another toward a purpose larger than themselves. The idea of non-discriminatory practices is not a modern invention. It has been taught in Paul's letters thousands of years ago. The use of gifts is never for self-gratification but for the edification of the community. These and many more will help us pattern our modern communities more effectively.

Robert J. Banks is senior research and development fellow in the Centre for the History of Christian Thought & Experience at Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Formerly he served as executive director of the De Pree Leadership Center and was Homer L. Goddard Professor of the Ministry of the Laity, both at Fuller Theological Seminary.

Rating: 4.25 stars of 5.

conrade

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This book has been provided courtesy of Baker Academic and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.