Individuality vs. Community

Most of the Bible’s teachings were intended for audiences living in community, and as such, much of the context needed for properly living out these Scriptures requires a close-knit group of people. If someone attempts to apply these teachings to only oneself as an individual, it could easily distort the message of the biblical text. How can a single individual display the dynamic, reciprocal love of God outside of relationships with others who understand it? This makes community an essential part of learning and growing in Christ, and hence, an essential part of a Bible college experience.

For as many heroic movies about teamwork and sentimental shows about friendship there are, you would think our American culture would be more inclined to long for community. But the truth is, our society loves the self. “You do you,” “Do what makes you happy,” “Follow your heart,” and other self-promotional phrases are plastered all throughout social media. Often, even if Christians try to find community, it may lack the depth and accountability the Bible calls us to. But why? 

Consider this quote from Jean Vanier’s book Community and Growth: “While we are alone, we could believe we loved everyone. Now that we are with others, living with them all the time, we realise how incapable we are of loving, how much we deny to others, how closed in on ourselves we are….So community life brings a painful revelation of our limitations, weaknesses and darkness.” Without being connected to a community, we could easily overlook our own shortcomings and live in ignorance of our own spiritual immaturity. However, if we are to truly live in community, we must be willing to confront our own imperfections. But it is not only our own deficiencies we must deal with, but the faults and flaws of others as well; while this requires some endurance, we thankfully have good examples to look to.

A Community-Oriented God

God is actually so community-oriented that he risks his own reputation to be close to his people, Israel. He chose to live intimately with his people in the wilderness in a tent in the middle of the camp. He chose to be faithful to Israel even after they built him a house (the temple) that he didn’t even want. We know Jesus entrusted his Bible teachings to fishermen, one of whom betrayed him and another denied him on three accounts. True community is hard, but the Lord willingly gives of himself to be close to others, and we should follow in his ways. After all, when God gives his self-revelation in Exodus 34, one of the first traits he mentions is his faithfulness.

There’s an African proverb which states: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Most people focus on their own journey because they want to make sure they get what they want, and don’t want to be held back by others. However, a simple reading of scripture will help us to see this is not how Christians should think. Moses did not do it by himself; he had Aaron, Miriam, Joshua, and an entire nation of Hebrews. Elijah did not do it by himself; he had Elisha and those who followed YHWH. Paul did not do it by himself; he had Timothy and Silas and Prisca and Aquila and various believing communities. They knew that one person is not enough. 

Not even Jesus did it by himself: he spent time investing into his disciples, teaching the crowds, and healing communities. Jesus didn’t tell his followers that they would know they are his disciples if they are great, self-reliant individuals - in fact he was bothered when they were arguing about which individual was the greatest. No, Jesus told them that people will know they are his disciples by the love they have for one another. So if we want to be people who demonstrate a knowledge of the Bible, we have to demonstrate faithfulness to others who are in your Christian community. 

A Biblical Vocation Relies on Community

Whether it is “do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” “consider others more highly than yourselves,” or the body of Christ metaphor, the Bible is riddled with passages that require the reader to consider how they interact with others. Just take a look at the fruits of the spirit. Love is experienced towards another, joy is best experienced with another, peace can be experienced between two people, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and gentleness are all shown towards another. And even self-control is needed to enact these fruits of the spirit when we would rather be focused on ourselves. Without community, we won’t be able to grow in these characteristics which allow us to develop into the people God needs us to be. 

After the Hebrews escaped from Egypt, they were brought into the wilderness to learn how to be the people of God (not an individual for God). The ten commandments, along with most of the other commandments in the Bible, are there to regulate peace and prosperity among a community. When these commands are violated, people suffer. When they are obeyed, there is a blessing that allows that community to be the light they were supposed to be to the watching world.  

So, returning to the initial question: why is growing in Christ dependent on community? Because the image of God is reflected in a community, not in any one individual. A modern Bible reader could easily smear the message of scripture if they fail to take off their cultural lens of individuality, and believe the Christian life can be lived apart from fellow believers. How can you really love someone if you only see them for an hour at church each week? How can you expect to carry the vocation God calls us to in the Bible all by yourself? How can we really know what the Bible is saying if we are living disconnected from the social context it calls us to develop? The answer: we can’t. We can’t separate Bible learning and community, because the holiness the Bible calls us to can only be lived out through righteous living alongside fellow believers.

Resource Links

Vanier, Jean. Community and Growth. (Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, January 1, 1989). p. 26