Church as Polis

Sometimes we figure the way to “change” things is to engage an existing culture (like America), adopt all of its particularities and structures and just hope we can sprinkle a little God (as if He were a consumable good) here and there. This happens as we try to “get our people in office” or superimpose something like the 10 commandments on people who don’t have the context to understand them. Another thing we might do is insulate ourselves from the “evils” of culture and end up building fences to keep things out in the name of holiness. I’ve participated in both of these erring worldviews. The kingdom of God is not passive or content to be relegated to an invocation at the super bowl. Rather, the kingdom of God involves an alternative (if you will) way of living and dying. Rodney Clapp and others have described this as the church being “culture-forming.” This alternative way is nothing fancy or a series of formulas, but a simple liturgy of worship, meals, Scripture, and baptism. Participating in this way of life truly creates something solid that people can see, touch, wonder about, and join in.

One way we are seeking to do this as a seminary by common readings. Each day, everyone has a chance to steep in the same passage of Scripture and ancient reading. This is one way we can move forward as a life-giving community. The reader is online as of today for this particular season, so anyone is welcome to share in this time!


You can find the Asbury Reader here.

Adios-