Cultivating Authentic Life Through Community

Oct 01, 2024

About the author: Rev. Andria Sarias, hailing from Tbilisi, Georgia, is a scholar whose journey began at Tbilisi Theological Seminary and culminated at the University of Georgia (PhD). He specializes in church history and theology and recently completed a ThM at Columbia Theological Seminary. He has had notable roles in both academic and spiritual institutions. Passionate about advancing knowledge, Andria has authored numerous publications, reflecting his dedication to scholarly discourse.

The Interplay of Faith and Community

The Christian life encompasses a dynamic interplay between collective and individual beliefs, highlighting the essential connection between the self and the community. Christianity teaches that individuals cannot exist in isolation; instead, they must engage with their environment,1 history, God, and community, all of which shape and inform their beliefs and perspectives.2 The formation of one’s opinions is deeply rooted in this interaction with others and the surrounding world. As Karl Barth articulated, the work of the Holy Spirit manifests within the Christian community, transforming Christendom and the Church into a collective human endeavor.3 This process emphasizes the collaborative nature of faith, where the Church emerges as a shared experience of divine activity through human engagement.4

This blog post explores the dynamic relationship between personal and communal identities within Christianity. It examines theological insights and real-world narratives to understand how faith shapes both the individual and the collective.

Collective Identity and Personal Belonging

Our initial identity is shaped collectively, as we are born into a society where we receive a name, surname, and nationality. While these affiliations may seem predetermined, it is important to reflect on when our sense of belonging to a community deepens and when it becomes challenging to engage with this identity. What happens if I no longer identify with the cultural context into which I was born and raised? Where should I go if I find myself in this position? Should I leave my father’s house, become an emigrant, and embark on a journey like Abraham? Or should I remain with my community and shape my future alongside them? All that we can do, perhaps, is just to wonder.5 These questions are crucial for understanding the tension between our inherent social identities and evolving personal convictions. Karl Barth’s theology offers a lens to examine this tension, suggesting a path that bridges individual and community identity.

Karl Barth’s Vision—Moving Beyond Traditional Distinctions

Karl Barth encourages us to rethink traditional distinctions between being and act in relation to the Church.6 For Barth, the Church’s existence is not static but is realized through its active participation in God’s work. As Barth suggests, “the being of the Church is in its obedience.” 7 The Church becomes the Church when God calls certain individuals to live as God’s friends and witnesses, demonstrating the world's reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.8 This unity is maintained through a shared act of hearing, obeying, and responding to God’s call, renewing the fellowship between Christ and the Christian community.9

Barth’s theology challenges us to view the Church not as a static institution but as a living, breathing entity that thrives through the active participation of its members. This view calls for reimagining the community as a dynamic space where personal and collective identities converge.

Unity and Individuality

This conception of unity raises important questions about the relationship between individual identity and communal life. How do we navigate these boundaries while maintaining their integrity?

But what does this unity mean, and where is the boundary between individual identity and communal life? For Barth, Christian unity is only possible by engaging in common work. He writes that the Christian community cannot exist as an ideal commune or Universum but only through the relationships of its members, who are united by their shared engagement with the Word of God. Barth writes, “each Christian community or group of communities has to come to grips with its summons to the one church…The promise of the Lord that where two or three are gathered together in His name, He is there in the midst (Mt.18.20)...only when and to the extent that it has to recognise and confess that it is bound, not by its own confession, but by the Word of God.”10 This unity is expressed not just in abstract ideals but in living, active relationships among believers, which are grounded in their common action and purpose.11

Conflict as a Catalyst for Growth

While Barth’s vision of unity emphasizes shared engagement with the Word of God, it also acknowledges the complexities of relationships within the Christian community. Unity is not the absence of differences or disagreements; instead, it thrives on the ongoing tension between individual paths and communal life. As individuals navigate their identities within the broader community, conflict often arises. This tension, however, does not necessarily threaten unity. Instead, it can catalyze personal and communal growth.

Ellen Ott Marshall observes that “to be is to be in conflict,” suggesting that growth and transformation often begin amid struggle. Conflicts can disrupt relationships, erode trust, and impact us emotionally and psychologically. Yet, they are essential for self-reflection and gaining an objective environmental perspective. Conflict catalyzes reevaluating our beliefs and customs, pushing us toward deeper understanding and development.12 Conflict, as a natural and necessary part of life, allows us to constructively challenge the traditions that shape our identities, fostering resilience and adaptability. Ultimately, because the community forms a singular unity, it must be acknowledged as such.13

Conflict does not imply physical confrontation or self-attack. Instead, it involves stepping out of your comfort zone and critically examining your culture, beliefs, and views. Life and your familiar cultural context are different, and it is essential to recognize this distinction. While one’s familiar Christian community and environment may seem generative, they may also hinder the potential of understanding other cultures and expressions of the Christian faith. Therefore, one should use conflict constructively.14 If tradition impedes our ability to perceive reality accurately, we must engage in dialogue and be willing to challenge it. We should not fear new environments, identities, or challenges, even if they cause friction with or resistance from our old community. Understanding a solution is one aspect, but having the courage to engage with and address conflict is another challenge entirely.

Tradition vs. Personal Conviction

A friend once recounted the story of Atif, a boy of Pakistani origin who was born and raised in Britain and studied at Harvard. Despite his cultured, mannered, and articulate demeanor—speaking in Cockney and engaging in Western habits like drinking alcohol and smoking—Atif decided to give it all up. When his friends inquired about his decision, he explained that he needed to marry a Pakistani girl—as his family chose—to uphold their traditional values. Though he did not love her, this arrangement was made for him since childhood. If he refused, he would be ostracized by his family and treated as though he were dead to them. Atif acknowledged that he compromised his happiness but could not rebel against his cultural expectations. However, he was determined to ensure that this cycle would not continue with his children, saying, “It will stop with me.” It is remarkable how we sometimes accept such compromises, lacking the courage to forge a new reality.

Similarly, the parable of the Prodigal Son15 illustrates a profound tension between tradition and alternative perspectives. The narrative depicts a young man who leaves his family to live freely, only to return home in repentance, recognizing the significance of familial and communal traditions. In this parable, the emphasis shifts from material wealth to the cultural and communal values of the home. This focus is highlighted by the elder brother’s resentment when the father reinstates the wayward son into the family, underscoring the conflict between established cultural norms and individual deviations.

These narratives reveal the complexity of navigating tradition and personal conviction, urging us to find a balance that honors both the past and the potential for new understanding.

Transcending Cultural Constraints

When truth becomes intertwined with culture, any deviation is often considered heretical. Growing up in…I crafted visions I labeled as truths, only to confine them within cultural contexts. Traditional “Christian” nations have long faced dangers and temptations in this regard and will continue to do so.

In Fyodor Dostoevsky’s The Devils (also known as The Possessed), a notable exchange occurs between Ivan Pavlovich Shatov and Nikolai Vsevolodovich Stavrogin. Shatov criticizes Stavrogin for abandoning his former Orthodox ideals, asserting that he should have upheld the Russian Orthodox faith and its associated values. Shatov laments that Stavrogin’s betrayal signifies the loss of these ideals. When Stavrogin asks Shatov if he believes in God, Shatov’s somewhat evasive response, “I will believe in God,” suggests that his belief is less about personal faith and more about maintaining traditional and political values.16 This perspective parallels the scene where Jesus, interrogated about his sins, receives no substantive answer, implying that their capture was itself seen as a consequence of sin (Mark 14:60-61, 15:3-5; Matthew 26:62-63, 27:12-14). For Shatov, preserving traditional values and a particular understanding of Christianity takes precedence over personal religious conviction.

Leaving a community does not equate to abandoning its people, Christianity, or beliefs. Human development is marked by continuous questioning, growth, and the quest for deeper understanding, all of which are guided by the Holy Spirit.17 Barth’s perspective suggests that the Holy Spirit is not limited to any one community; it is not bound by specific groups or traditions.18 Instead, Barth posits that the community itself is created through the Holy Spirit and extends beyond particular locales or practices. Human existence involves engaging with diverse communities and societies rather than being confined to the ideals of a single group.19 Challenging established norms and truths is crucial, as God transcends spatial limitations and engages with all humanity, as affirmed by Jesus.20

Engaging with the World

In contemporary contexts—whether academic, political, or digital platforms—one can encounter rapid feedback and critique from diverse communities. Such environments are arenas where new ideas and expressions are tested. Embracing this openness to criticism and challenge is crucial for genuine innovation and freedom of expression. The fear of community backlash can stifle the ability to speak, live, and write authentically. Thus, to avoid the constraints of being merely a reflection of one’s community, one must navigate the balance between authenticity and the pressures of collective expectations.21

Chris Boesel helpfully notes: For Barth, the Church has only one thing to say because God has only willed, decided, said, and done one thing concerning both God and creatures.22 This singular focus calls for unity in purpose and understanding among believers, reinforcing that the divine will is consistently directed toward reconciliation and communion. Through this unified message, the Church can embody its mission and engage with the world meaningfully.

Compassion and Community Care

In a world filled with myriad values and ideals, it is easy to become entangled in traditional and theoretical approaches that may distance us from genuine human connection. As time progresses, we recognize that these values are often transient and subject to change. What endures as a timeless and essential value is the care we extend to one another within our communities. If we reflect upon our lives and the history of humanity, we find that the most profound and meaningful moments are those in which we have actively cared for others and the world around us.

These are the instances when we have defended the oppressed, pursued justice, visited the imprisoned, and offered prayers for those in need. During such moments, our hearts are touched by grace, and we experience what can be deemed a true and authentic life. In contrast, everything else pales into insignificance, resembling a vague dream.

Living a Life of Authentic Faith

This fundamental connection transcends boundaries of origin, religion, race, and tradition. It is revealed through open communication with others, guided by the Holy Spirit. As we engage with diverse individuals and communities, we cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation for the shared human experience. Ultimately, through these acts of compassion and solidarity, we fulfill our purpose and embody the true essence of our faith.