Community the Individual and the Common Good Library of New Testament Studies, The
Book Description
In the ancient city of Corinth, early Christian communities faced a crisis that resonates powerfully with modern spiritual seekers: how to balance individual desires with collective well-being. Scholar Kei Eun Chang explores how the apostle Paul addressed this timeless tension through his strategic use of Greco-Roman philosophical concepts.
This scholarly investigation reveals how Paul drew upon the classical principle of "common advantage" to heal divisions within fractured communities. Chang demonstrates that this ancient wisdom offered a framework for understanding why relationships and societies flourish or fail. When individuals prioritize personal gain over shared benefit, communities inevitably experience breakdown and conflict.
The author traces Paul's sophisticated approach to community building, showing how he transformed secular philosophical ideas into spiritual tools for unity. Through careful analysis of Paul's letters, Chang illustrates how the apostle used these concepts to bridge ethnic and social divides that threatened to tear apart early Christian gatherings.
What emerges is a profound understanding of how authentic spiritual community requires intentional cultivation of mutual benefit over self-interest. Paul's vision extended beyond mere social harmony to encompass a transformative mission that could unite even hostile groups in healthy relationship.
For contemporary readers seeking to build meaningful spiritual communities or understand the dynamics of collective versus individual good, this work offers valuable insights into ancient wisdom that remains remarkably relevant for modern spiritual practice.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 255 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Solidarity
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Communities
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore "Bible
- ✓ Explore Criticism, interpretation
- ✓ Explore Gemeinwohl
- ✓ Explore Christianity
