"Corporate Communion"
Alfred North Whitehead has had a major influence on my theology. He is one of the original modern "Process Theologians" and I have been helped by his idea that God is present among us and not a force that stands beyond us.
But there is one thing Whitehead wrote I want to challenge. He suggests this about religion. "Religion is what we do in our solidariness".
He see religion as solitary; singular; each person to themselves. I think that is quite wrong. Religion is corporate; it is what we do in our union and reunion.
No place is more evident of this than Communion. At the table we become the Body of Christ. Alone we are not "the Body of Christ". Now, we can and should be "Christ to each other" but it takes all of us to have Christ materialize in the world.
Next Sunday is communion Sunday and we will celebrate the corporate nature of the Christian faith.
Never do we feel as strong in our faith as when we stand with each other to sing or as we kneel at the rail to receive the elements.
That's how it seems to me.
What are your thoughts?
I'd like to know how you work out the singularity and corporate nature of religion. Write me at charlesschuster@fcfumc.net. If you are willing to share your thoughts click on the 'comments' box below.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Charles Schuster
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