Christian Communities versus Christian Institutions
Animals: Tradition - Philosophy - Religion Article from All-Creatures.org
FROM
Stephen Kaufman, M.D., Christian Vegetarian Association (CVA)
Christian Communities versus Christian Institutions
According to the Gospels, Jesus had a community of followers. Their
common denominator was an admiration for Jesus, who called for a reformation
of Judaism. Jesus claimed that he came not to abolish the law but to fulfill
it (Matthew 5:17). As I see it, Jesus rejected the religiosity of those who
followed the letter of the law yet neglected the law’s moral spirit.
Subsequent to Jesus’ death, there were numerous small Christian communities,
many of which Paul founded. They met in homes, encouraged communal living,
and used various Gospels and Pauline epistles to guide faith and practice.
Even though it seems that Christendom today encompasses a wide range of
beliefs and practices, there was far greater diversity among these early
Christian communities. The relative uniformity of faith today reflects, in
part, the institutionalization of Christianity.
By institutionalization, I mean development of a hierarchy of Christian
leaders, development of physical structures (most prominently, churches),
and establishment of an “orthodoxy” of faith that defines what it means to
be a “Christian.” Christian institutions have accomplished much good,
including the sponsorship of magnificent works of architecture, art, and
music. They have promoted the Gospel worldwide, which, when this has been
done nonviolently, has been a good thing. They have offered a uniformity of
faith and practice that helps people feel that they are part of something
larger than themselves. In particular, many Christian rituals give meaning
and direction for people’s lives. They have often engaged in important acts
of charity, such as sponsoring health care facilities, which have assisted
weak and vulnerable members of society.
But institutions can also be self-serving, and when this happens they can
promote or defend injustice. Next essay, I will explore the nature of
institutions further, and I will then examine strengths and weaknesses of
non-institutional Christian communities. This series of essays will conclude
with thoughts on how institutions and communities relate to animal issues.
Go on to: Problems with
Institutions
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