Jesus and Community: The Social Dimensions of Christian Faith

by Gerhard Lohfink

The author calls the present-day church to once again be the "contrast society," which attracts non-believers by living what it preaches and by being different without being narrowly sectarian.

Genres: Theology, Religion, Church, Christianity, Christian, School, Biblical Studies

211 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 30, 1983

About the author

Rev. Father Gerhard Lohfink was professor of New Testament exegesis at the University of Tübingen. Since 1986, he has lived and worked as a theologian for the Catholic Integrated Community. His many books include Does God Need the Church? (Liturgical Press, 1999).

Reviews

[Allison Harmon · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was probably pretty revolutionary in its day. It is a bit dated with its source criticism and pericopes. I recognize that this is a Catholic text, but the lack of engagement with the Spirit is frustrating.

[Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man!! This book is still relevant to the churches of today!!! Some amazing insights on what the original community of Jesus presents as a model for current congregations.
If you are looking for what community is in the Christian tradition, read this!!

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summary: How Jesus fulfilled Israel’s call, first in the contrast society of the Twelve, and then in early Christian communities.

One of my delightful discoveries as a Christian was that faith was not just a “me and Jesus” thing. Contrary to Western individualism, I discovered that Christian faith was social, that I was called into God’s new society. This meant not only mutual support of one another but that in some ways, we were intended to be a visible model of Jesus coming kingdom. But where does all this come from in the teaching and ministry of Jesus? So often, my sources were Acts and Paul’s letters. In this book, Gerhard Lohfink affirms the social dimension of Christianity and how this was realized in the teaching and ministry of Jesus.

Besides his Introduction and Postscript, the book consists of four chapters. Lohfink begins by emphasizing Jesus mission to Israel as the People of God. John prepared the way by calling this people to repentance. Early in Jesus’ ministry he calls twelve, many from John’s followers, prophetically harking back to Israel’s twelve tribes. His healing works proclaimed the coming of God’s kingdom rule as did his model prayer. But what about the Gentiles? Salvation was for them, but they would see the light through Israel. Yet in the end, Israel’s leaders rejected Jesus. Yet Jesus fulfilled Israel’s destiny as God’s people both through his atoning death for all and through the community of disciples who become the nucleus of this redeemed People of God.

Since the disciples are so important, Lohfink focuses the second chapter on them. He observes that there is a circle of disciples beyond the twelve, including women. The Sermon on the Mount sets forth for these disciples a vision of the new social order of God’s people they represent. Those who do God’s will are Jesus new family. But in it, there is but one father, with no patriarchal domination. It is a society that turns from violence. Yet this new social order is a light burden, one borne with Jesus the servant an his people. However it also anticipates the eschatological fulfillment of Israel’s destiny to bless the nations as the city on the hill.

But what happened following the ascension of Jesus to rule at God’s right hand? This is the focus of chapter three. Returning to Jerusalem, the disciples began to live out the reality of this renewed people of God, awaiting the return of the king, which they believed imminent. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, they continue to do the powerful works of Jesus. Social barriers fall as all share in this empowering presence. Lohfink highlights their distinctive “togetherness,” citing twenty-three references in the New Testament. Their mutual care and love for each other sets them apart as a “contrast society.” They become a sign for the nations.

Finally, chapter four draws on early Christian writings to delineate how Christian communities continued this vision of the people of God as “contrast societies.” The were marked as one new people from among the peoples of the empire. They received grace both to heal and to die as martyrs. Fraternal care meant there were no needy and believers looked after each other’s welfare. As a contrast society, their moral standards set them apart from the rest of society as did their exclusive allegiance to God among the gods. Likewise, their renunciation of violence led to the refusal of military service. These aspects of being a contrast society led to attacks and persecution. Yet their life heralded God’ in-breaking reign and continued to draw many.

Lohfink’s postscript poses the question of when the church ceased to see itself as a contrast society, heralding God’s in-breaking kingdom. He believes the turning point was Constantine, and particularly Augustine’s City of God. Not only does Augustine portray the two cities in a kind of side by side stasis through history. He also portrays the kingdom as entirely future and transcendent, not imminent.

Lohfink’s study offers a picture of Christian community captivated by a great work of God through Christ in the people of God. Through that grace, in both love and the Spirit’s power, they stood out as a contrast society. Implicit in all this, is why is this not so today? Lohfink, acting on his theological work, joined and helped lead an intentional Christian community. And the book shows us a vision that goes back to Jesus and how the disciples turned that vision into dynamic praxis. In my life, I’ve watched church growth movements give way to political influence, while becoming increasing bankrupt spiritually and morally. This work, ironically from 1984, calls us from these spiritual dystopias back to the gospel of the kingdom of God for the People of God.

[Kyle Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Jesus' ethic was aimed toward an eschatological, renewed people of God. It was not directed toward the isolated individual, for isolated individuals are simply not in a position to exemplify and to live the social dimension of the reign of God."

This was a short, but surprisingly dense, book that offered a thorough, challenging, and energizing overview of Jesus' relationship to "community." More specifically, the theme of community is developed through four lenses: Jesus and Israel, Jesus and the earliest disciples, Jesus and the New Testament communities, Jesus and the early church.

I would recommend this to pretty much anyone. Lohfink is a Catholic scholar who almost comes across as Anabaptist at times, so most folks will find something here of value.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that made Gerhard Lohfink famous. A few years before his death in 2024 he published an updated version in German, and it is scheduled to be published by Fortress Press, in a new translation by me, in 2027.

[Dennis Podryadchikov · Rating 4 out of 5]

In his “Jesus and Community: The Social Dimension of Christian Faith”, Gerhard Lohfink responds to the question whether Jesus really founded a church. Not only he answers positively, Lohfink also promotes his perception of Jesus’ community as a contrast-society. Lohfink delineates many characteristics of such a society, such as somewhat radical brotherly love. Yet, the reader wished that the writer answer not only the question that something is necessary but also explain how to go about applying it. For example, Lohfink argues about the necessity of healings in a society filled with the Holy Spirit but has nothing to say about healings in a contemporary church. At the same time, Lohfink goes into a great detail about brotherly love making statements like, “Anyone who needs my help is my neighbor.” Both scholars and practitioners find the book well thought through and challenging when it comes to ecclesiology.

[Paul Rack · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding and very, very important book. It presents Jesus as a community organizer. He established a community and taught people how to live together in love and justice. The church grows by being a living example of Jesus' proclamation of the Kingdom of God. Miracles, especially of healing, are supposed to happen in the church; they are a sign of the Spirit. The church is an alternative community displaying values of non-violence and non-domination. It is about what we DO as a community, exhibiting Jesus' life of love.

Lohfink also can talk about the historical Jesus and different levels in the text without demonizing the early church or assuming that the early church hopelessly corrupted Jesus' teaching. (Unlike some other writers.)

This is a great book and anyone interested in the future of the Christian church will want to read it.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough and fascinating book about how Jesus viewed community as the primary tool of salvation for the nations. It is far more complex than its simple title would lead one to believe. Very much worth the read if you are interested in the thoughts and functions of the early church (beginning with Jesus and moving through the 3rd century), specifically with regard to the church's function as a unique community within but separate from society.

[Kate Davis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lohfink sets out to establish that God, Jesus, and the Church are not about religious individualism: emphasis has always been on the community. While it would be incredibly helpful for those who desire biblical support for such a claim (I can think of a few individualists to whom I would love to hand this book), if you're already on board with the whole "community is important" lifestyle, you can probably skip it.

[Kyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little sluggish at times, but otherwise good. Invigorates you with all of the importance of living in community under the discipleship of Christ.