So I was ruminating today…
Disclaimer: If you are easily made uncomfortable by questions that challenge the normal consensus, may I suggest some lighter entertainment. Maybe a Dilbert comic, or a sermon by Rob Bell.
Please read the whole post before commenting, but please comment. I would love to hear what you think. This is something I have been thinking about recently and have not yet come to a conclusion on, and am looking to you the body of Christ for some guidance.
…on the doctrine of the Church, and the implications thereof.
After family worship my co-interns and I started talking about fraternities/sororities (as they are both in one at their respective colleges) and the reasons for joining one. They commented that those who have never been one would say such naïve things as ‘its a way to make sure you have friends’, or ‘its a way to meet girls/guys’, but these are not true. They said that the reason for membership and the most important part of it is the ‘brotherhood’ that you form with other members through the hard times of pledging and the fellowship of living together.
Thinking about this, I started to ask questions and quickly they became very uncomfortable – not wanting to talk anymore about the subject. I moved on at their request and they soon left to go back to work, leaving me again with my thoughts. So here is the question which I would like to hear your thoughts on. This is not a statement, just a question. I have not made any judgments, I am just questioning, and in so doing attempting to ‘work out my salvation with fear and trembling’.
Being that the ultimate aim of joining a fraternity is for fellowship, and as christians we are called to ultimately look for fellowship with the Body of Christ first and foremost and knowing that no relationships in this world with unbelievers are neutral, is it biblical for a christian to join a fraternity looking for the fellowship that he should be persuing with God’s people in the church?
Let me briefly define what I mean by ‘fellowship’. It is not just friendship, and if that was the meaning of the term used then the question would have an obvious answer that would fall in line with general consensus – that fraternities are ok for christians. But what I mean by fellowship is what I see frat guys looking for and finding in their chapter – that being a brotherhood to lean on through hard times and to bear their soul to. Which leads to the followup question:
Isn’t that the role that the Body of Christ (the church) is supposed to fulfill?
Now notice that this does not extend to non believers. They are not a part of the covenant community and as Solomon says “this is their lot in life”, meaning that a fraternity can be good for them and lead to much temporary happiness and perceived stability.
However, for those in the covenant community – where we look for true fellowship and where we bear our souls is important, so where do we draw the line? Is it ok for us to pursue fellowship in the context of a fraternity? Should we persue these deep intimate relationships with non believers if the relationship is not ultimately about leading that person to Christ?
In Christ we know that we are in this world but not of this world – so how does that work itself out practically? Do not get me wrong – I am not saying that we should not pursue relationships with unbelievers at all – far from it. I believe that the Lord has called us to be the means by which he calls unbelievers to himself, and we are to go out and be a light to all nations, proclaiming the atoning death of Jesus on the cross! The question is not related to outreach, but to the bride of Christ, the church, and how we are to relate to it. If it is the place we are supposed to go exclusively to be built up and re-energized, if it is the stable rock from which we are to go out and preach the Gospel, then what of other fellowships? The question obviously has much more vast implications than just relating to fraternities and sororities, but I use them as an example from which to draw conclusions.
Ultimately the question is are we as Christians to have fellowship with unbelievers, or only friendship? Can we have both?
What do you think?
Ok – let the comments begin! Do not simply agree or disagree – because I am making no statements here about the answer to the question, but simply posing it. What do you think the answer is and what are the implications of it?
To Christ be the glory!
MD Letteney
