No Man is an Island

Where shall I start? Our textbook reading for this week left me scratching my head. I was not able to concentrate on the text well this week. Unfortunately, I am unable to sight the text well and can only give my thoughts on the subject of the first question at hand with barely a reference to Stone and Duke’s work. Even prior to reading the textbook for this week, I have been convinced for quite some time that critical inquiry and rigorous scrutiny is of the utmost importance when discussing pressing issues affecting the church and society.
Stone and Duke define critical inquiry as “reflection that takes an honest, observant, probing stance toward everything that the Christian encounters as a theologian.” (page 114) With this definition, I find the obvious follow up question to ask is what constitutes “everything that a Christian encounters as a theologian”? Does a Christian hide in a closet or retreat from society at large? No. Christians are directed by Jesus of Nazareth to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19a NKJV) As previously established, all Christians are theologians and that Christ should permeate throughout every aspect of the Christian’s life. (Stone and Duke, 1 and 98) Therefore, the conclusion is simple; “everything that the Christian encounters as a theologian is everything the Christian encounters. This simple truth includes interactions with the society at large. I reject the notion of a private faith. Christian faith is public because Christian living is public, and the Christian is called to “go … and make disciples …”.
If a Christian denies being a theologian or the public element of their faith by restricting their observances to private actions only, how will anyone know that they are a disciple? No one will know because they are not exemplifying Christ. By definition, to be a Christian, one must be like Christ and follow his teachings.
This brings me to the second question postulated. It has been said, “No man is an island.” How true is this statement when discussing the need for Christians to fellowship one with another. The author of Hebrews encourages believers to “consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” (10:24-25 NKJV) Solomon gives this ancient proverb as well, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17 NKJV)
Long before Christians were known as Christians, people have been engaged in rigorous debate and sharpening one another. Without counter arguments and cross-examination, how will one gain wisdom and understanding? This relationship between wisdom and understanding paired with debate, discussion, and correction is a running theme throughout the Bible. From numerous Proverbs to instruction in Hebrews and elsewhere, the thrust for meaningful discourse and dialogue in the community of faith is undeniable. One may come to Christ independently, but one cannot explore the depths of understanding and the mysteries of God without others traveling the path of righteousness with them.
A few such texts are Proverbs 12:1 which implies the need for reproof from someone, Hebrews 12:10 which illustrates the need for discipline and training (a cooperative engagement), 2 Timothy 3:16 which states the purpose of scripture, Galatians 6:1 with instructions on church discipline, and Matthew 18:15-17 with Jesus giving instruction on settling disputes among believers. This list is, by no means, exhaustive. It serves as a sample for the reader to give them a taste of the magnitude of importance for believers to come together and learn one with another.
I will conclude this week's essay with this: Let us always be ready and willing to give a sound reason for our faith. (1 Peter 3:15-16) Not from vain stories of fables and tales of fancy, but of history. May our faith be grounded firmly in reality with evidence and reason. May it be honed in the forge of discourse and purged of all heresy is the cauldron of scrutiny for our faith is not fanciful nor made of fairytales. Let us stand and do all we can to stand, standing all the more by putting on the whole armor of God. Just as the Roman soldier was only strong in the formation of his unit, so too must we come together, train, and fight as a unit against evil in high places. For we fight not against flesh and blood, but against every evil thing and powers of darkness in high places. (Ephesians 6:10-20) May we encourage one another in all good works while giving all honor and praise to the one who saved us, Jesus the Christ.

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