Manifesting the communion of saints in a culture of expressive individualism

Hard, Ian G.

Etd

Manifesting the communion of saints in a culture of expressive individualism

Public Deposited

MLA citation style (9th ed.)

Hard, Ian G. Manifesting the Communion of Saints In a Culture of Expressive Individualism. rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/b1af68a9-13ac-422f-9428-8bd6aa93d002.

APA citation style (7th ed.)

H. I. G. Manifesting the communion of saints in a culture of expressive individualism. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/b1af68a9-13ac-422f-9428-8bd6aa93d002

Chicago citation style (CMOS 17, author-date)

Hard, Ian G. Manifesting the Communion of Saints In a Culture of Expressive Individualism. https://rim.ir.atla.com/concern/etds/b1af68a9-13ac-422f-9428-8bd6aa93d002.

Note: These citations are programmatically generated and may be incomplete.

Creator

Hard, Ian G.

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In Copyright

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore how church members who have undergone church discipline and been restored describe their experience of the communion of the saints through the process of discipline and restoration. Expressive individualism opposes biblical definitions of the individual and community, presenting apologetic challenges in engaging those outside the church and ecclesial challenges to Christian formation within the church. The communion of saints presents an alternative understanding of people within the economy of God and this study examines practices that demonstrate the communion of saints in the trying context of church discipline. This study utilized a qualitative design with semi-structured interviews of seven members of reformed churches who had been disciplined and remained at, or were restored to, their churches. The interviews focused on how the participants related to their churches before, during, and after discipline, as well as how they related to God during their discipline. The literature review examined the development and effects of expressive individualism, belonging within healthy community, and the doctrine of the communion of saints, particularly as expressed in the local church through discipline. The study found that time physically present with others, relationships to individuals, and the mutual exchange of gifts and services were very important to the participants’ connection to their churches. After discipline they felt closer to God, more connected to their churches, and more invested in personal ministry to others. The study concluded that churches manifest the communion of saints well when they invite participation of individuals, practice honesty, and value the physicality of their members.

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