By Joseph Ostrander
Hey there Coastland’s saints, what do you say to a rabbit trail conversation about miscellany theological notions that this blog provocateur considers further food-for-thought?
Since we have been reviewing the divine Personhood of God the Father, its focus has been a catalyst to help us better understand, and appreciate, the amazing qualities and characteristics of Abba God…
Throughout the Old and New Testament writings, vivid relational imagery and references help the reader better grasp the nature and motivations of a God that can be more mystery than direct revelation…
Is it any wonder then that Jesus referred to Yahweh as His Heavenly Father and invited us to also identify with this Divine Parental Deity that Jesus said He represented perfectly?
Within the unique scope of the Family of God there are simultaneously individual and corporate identities we are given which have scriptural references that help define our relationship(s) with a Heavenly Father (Mat 6:9; Gal 4:6); a fraternal Jesus (Rom 8:29); a familial bond with the communion of saints (Gal 6:10; 1Thes 4:9-11); and the somewhat more abstract corporate/collective identities as the church (Greek: ἐκκλησία ekklēsia), and the wife/bride of the Lamb (Rev 21:9; Rev 19:7; Rev 21:2; Rev 22:17).
God has created us as unique individuals that will enjoy a very private relationship/identity with the Godhead (Rev 2:17), as well as being corporate members of Christ’s body (Eph 5:23; Col 1:18). Here is where the corporate identities of being The Church, The Body of Christ, and The Bride become a grander element in the relational recognition that the New Testament writers alluded to in their imagery.
As much as I can individually identify as a child/son of a Heavenly Father, and a brother of Jesus by divine adoption, there is no way for me to self-identify as The Church, The Body of Christ, or The Bride of Christ…
Bear with me. As some of you may recognize, I can be somewhat theologically theoretical in my ponderings. And sharing my perspectives in this blog is only meant to provoke additional thought about some common Protestant Evangelical teachings that attempt to convert corporate identity into individual identity. There are popular Christian teachings/ministries that have taken the corporate identity of the Bride of Christ and run down a rather lengthy doctrinal rabbit trail with it. There are some elements of such teachings that emphasize the romantic elements of husband/wife intimacy in how we can, or should, relate to Jesus as the Bridegroom. I am not one of those so convinced. My personal theological understanding is this: “I” am not The Church. “I” am not The Body of Christ. And, you probably guessed it by now, “I” am not The Bride of Christ either. “I” simply cannot be, nor can I expect to glean any individual realization that rests exclusively within the unique corporate relationship God has with His saints…
And therein lies the crux of the issue: being the church/body/bride is a corporate identity from God’s perspective, not ours. Is it any wonder Paul rightly concludes that Christ’s Headship over The Church is a profound mystery (Eph 5:32)? I personally do not relate to Jesus in a ‘bromance’ sorta way, nor do I feel I am missing out on what some claim to be the ‘deeper’ experiences/dimensions of divine love. And there are other elements of corporate versus individual identity that I understand this way: some divine promises and expressions the Godhead has determined to be experienced are solely corporate in nature and cannot be claimed as individual precedents or expectations. There are corporate blessings and giftings and workings that are not within the scope of an individual saint’s purview. Just my personal theological perspectives folks…so please don’t confuse them with the final word about such disputable theoretical considerations (Phil 3:14-16).
Think about it…
Amen.