Building my theology. Body

I am an introvert, which explains a lot. I am an only child – which explains a whole lot more! I enjoy cycling alone, running alone, driving alone, eating alone. Pretty sad, huh? Actually, it’s not because I enjoy the company of myself. Rather, I enjoy God’s company, and I enjoy thinking.

But. In the 8th grade I joined a traveling ministry team of eight other junior highers, and since that time I have learned how to “do life and ministry” with other people. Christianity as a team sport. I make my daily pilgrimage with my wife and kids, with my church staff, and with my journey group of Christ-followers.

Why did Jesus have 12 apostles? Moses had Joshua, Elijah had Elisha, Paul had Timothy. Why 12? That’s the number of tribes? Maybe. I think Jesus was modeling Christianity as a caravan. And if you actually think about it, Moses also had the elders, Elijah also connected with a school of prophets, Paul had Luke, Titus, Barnabas, Acquilla, Priscilla, and so on.

Why 12? Why a group? Because 1 Corinthians 12 says we are each a part of the body, and we each have different gifts – we need each other and the puzzle isn’t complete without our part. Why four gospel biographies of Jesus? Because it gives high definition view, stereo sound, more evidence and different perspectives on the life of Jesus. In other words, if Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John don’t come together for their weekly small group meeting, they are going to miss out on understanding part of the life of Jesus.

19 books. Matthew, Mark, John, Romans, 1 & 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Hebrews, James, 1 & 2 Peter, 1 John, Jude, Revelation. Do you see what these have in common? Which ones are missing? These books were written to “bodies” of people, to local churches. The other books obviously were shared eventually with the churches. Point is, the Bible itself is to be read and studied together in the Body.

The first potential church split? Maybe Acts 6, but certainly Acts 15. Legalistic teachers confuse Antioch Church with Jewish teaching, so they send a delegation to Jerusalem Church and convene a conference. They LISTEN to everyone’s case, understanding of God, experience, etc. Then, they understand God’s direction on the matter. The Bereans? They studied together [acts 17].

What happens when we don’t do theology together? 3 John, a postcard written from John to Gauis, gives us a glimpse. He had tried to write to Gauis’ church, but a member – or elder - named Diotrophes was evidently blocking his message, and didn’t allow other traveling Christians and teachers to visit. When you’re in a church where one person controls the message, and holds the remote control on the truth, and won’t allow for other teachings from the Spirit, there’s one piece of advice – don’t drink the cool-aid!

We understand that owning a personal copy of scripture and studying it alone is a recent (300 years) phenomenon, and more unique to the last 100 years. As joyous as it is to have “quiet time” and personal study, it is not the full design of God for handling his word. I cannot be a spiritual introvert.

I must do theology with the Body. Studying truth is not a dictatorship – one person holding the reins. It’s not a democracy – everyone voting on the message. It is a divine dialogue between the Father who spoke it, the Son who acted it out, the Spirit who teaches it, and the children who must understand and live it out.

God has no “only children”. There are no introverts in his kingdom. We must do theology together.