Body of Christ as Substitute State?

This morning, I came across the following paragraph in Michelle Lee, Paul, the Stoics and the Body of Christ (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006) 22.

[T]he question of community identity must also be understood in relation to the political context. James D.G. Dunn comments on the political importance of the body of Christ metaphor. He views it primarily as an adaptation of the Stoic use of the imagery of the body for the state. But since Paul uses it for the smaller community of the Christians within the Roman Empire, this is "a striking assertion of ecclesiological self-understanding" (Dunn, "'The Body of Christ' in Paul" 161). In other words, Paul is setting forth the Christian gatherings as substitutes for the state. This leads to issues of loyalty and identity, with the result that "the sense that the church in this city or that region was the body to which believers belonged carried with it the implication that this belonging was more fundamental than any other citizenship" (Ibid.). Thus, the image takes on even greater significance within the political context of Paul's writing. If Paul is defining the community as distinct from the greater society, the use of a political metaphor could mean he is making a statement about the status of the Christian community in relationship to the Roman state. This is the view taken by Richard A. Horsley, who argues that 1 Corinthians is Paul's attempt to persuade the community to maintain "group discipline and solidarity over against the imperial society" (Horsley, "1 Corinthians: A Case Study of Paul's Assembly as an Alternative Society" 252).

(If you want full bibliographic references, please ask.)

Rules for Christians in Politics

As concerned as I am about the (ab)use of religious language in political discourse, I do not think this sort of thing is the proper way to go. I disagree with most of these rules for a variety of reasons, many simply on the grounds that they are too broad or too vague. For example, in most cases, I think there is in fact a relevant distinction between an "official" act of a "Christian leader" and an "unofficial" one, so already I reject #12 outright. I do in fact think different rules apply to official acts than to unofficial acts, which means that those rules which make no such distinction (in practice) are too broadly worded. Ultimately, however, I think the whole idea of such a distinction (as well as the one between a Christian "leader" and a "non-leader") is primarily cultural and sociological and has little basis in my understanding of the actual ways of Jesus and His people. But given that our society acknowledges the distinction in very tangible ways (tax-exemption, for example) it is worth addressing.

All that being said, the rules I would most readily endorse are: 8 and 13-16.

How about you?

On pledging allegiances

In the interest of fairness, since our last article came from a source associated with liberal politics, our next article comes from an organization and individual on the conservative side of the political spectrum. Dr. Richard Land is president of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission, though here he refreshingly attempts to think critically about perceived excesses by both liberals and conservatives.

Obviously, as previously stated elsewhere, the link to this article/website should not in any way be considered an uncritical endorsement of the author's views or those of his organization (even as expressed in the article itself, with which I do not fully agree) but simply for the purpose of stimulating thoughtful prayer and prayerful thought.

Peace,
Jeremy

Blog is on!

Hello fellow Day Laborers,

As many of you already know, I've established this site as a means to foster ongoing conversation and consideration of issues relevant to our weekly readings and discussions without also filling up our email in-boxes.

I encourage everyone to click the link "Posts (Atom)" where it says "Subscribe" below this post (or near the bottom of the page). This will generate an RSS feed that will allow you to easily see when new stuff gets posted.

Please feel free to comment as you wish, but be aware that at present this blog is "open to all readers," not just those in our Fellowship.

If necessary, I will try to moderate with moderation, just in case things go too far afield either in subject or spirit. Obviously, you all know well enough how to speak the truth as you see it in a manner that is loving and edifying. So, without further delay, I shall commence postings!

Peace,
Jeremy