Discipleship and Apostleship

In the model that Shiloh's Bible study groups have developed to attempt to better understand the Progressive Church movement theology, it seems that we have fallen into the trap of using terms from traditional church models. This is particularly true of the use of the terms "discipleship" and "apostleship." It is unlikely in the extreme that any progressive church movement would use these terms, especially since they carry such baggage from the traditional church theology.

The Bible study groups have used the terms intentionally, however. "Discipleship" reflects a link between the will of God, as reflected in the archetype of Christ, the shaping of the Christ ethic and the practice of heavenly virtues and our commitment, devotion and loyalty to those qualities. The groups divided the means by which we practice discipleship as being either "Spiritual" or "Religious." Spiritual discipleship is human essential nature, internal, in balance with the spiritual essence of the universe, and descriptive of the frustration and imbalance of human existence. Religious discipleship is external and mechanical practice of accepted rituals and orthodoxies that attempt to correct the flaws that are inherent to human essential nature. (One may rightly claim that spiritual discipleship reflects a positive anthropology while religious discipleship reflects a negative definition of human essential nature.)

The same distinction holds true in apostleship. Apostleship, our Bible study groups have concluded, links our commitment, devotion and loyalty to God's will, as reflected in Christ Jesus, with overt actions and words. That is, if we are faithful to God's will in Christ, then we will do what Christ would have us do, actually, really, concretely. There is a distinction in how we do that discipleship, however, and why. Spiritual discipleship leads to a wisdom-based apostleship. We do not go out sharing orthodoxies, rites or rituals. Instead, we practice openness, hospitality, kindness, mercy and grace. We work for justice, equality and peace. We do so because we are devoted to the work of Christ Jesus. Our fidelity is to his mission and ministry in the world, and strives to be reflective of it. Religious discipleship leads to an obedience-based apostleship, where we demand that others live up to our standards of orthodoxy, belief and obedience, and where we see ourselves as protectors of "the right way."  Religious apostleship results in teaching the orthodoxies, rites and rituals of our groups, sects, denominations, types or clans.  

Are there better, more readily acceptable terms that we might use to articulate the distinction between spiritual and religious discipleship and wisdom-based or obedience-based apostleship? I think there might be. Is the link between the will of God and our fidelity to it equally well expressed in a term like "integrity?" Another, perhaps more interesting term, may be "ethic." The link is the standard for which we strive and to which we hold ourselves accountable. In the same vein, apostleship may be better reflected in terms like "work" or "moral." Our fidelity to God's will, as reflected in Christ Jesus, results in particular work or moral action.

If fidelity to God's will, as reflected in Christ Jesus, breaks down, or if our commitment is without integrity or ethical standard, then it will not result in the type of moral action or work that reflects Christ. While I like these terms in the place of discipleship and apostleship, we have to admit that they seem a great deal more concrete and practical, perhaps even accusatory or pejorative. For this reason particularly, maybe these terms best reflect the evolutionary process of the culture in which the church today finds itself and the spiritual evolution to which it is calling us.

We will float the terms at this week's Bible study sessions and see if they, like Peter and Jesus, walk on the water. Shiloh's Bible studies are held on Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and on Thursday mornings, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. in the church's chapel. Use entrance #1. By the way, Shiloh will be offering a new four-week Bible @ Boston's series in September. The topic will be Shiloh's model of Progressive Church theology and practice. Join us on Wednesday evenings, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Boston's Bistro and Pub, at the corner of North Main (48) and Dog Leg Rd. (Westbrook). See you at any of these sessions. Everyone is welcome.