Whole Bible Community

This page last updated: 05/08/2007 03:23 PM

Introduction.  A Whole Bible community is a group of people who dedicate themselves to the entire Word of God and to one another.

Whole Bible Communities are different than the modern concept of a 'church' in that the community models interdependence and biblical practices while a church is often nothing more than a country club.  In a country club members make a mental agreement with the laws of the club, and pay a fee to be members.  They exclude those who don't 'measure up' to the laws, or who can't afford the membership fees.  This is similar to a church in that people pay their weekly 'dues' and merely mentally agree with the laws of that church.  Many people do not feel welcome in a church because they do not measure up to the church's laws and they can't afford the fees.  Involvement in the Club or church is a sometime thing, as the members feel like it or not.  If problems arise, the solutions are more political and personality-oriented rather than biblical.  Club members in the church tend to listen to what others say about the Word rather than studying it for themselves.  They do not read the Word nor do they intend to do what it says. 

A Whole Bible community on the other hand has a high level of commitment to God's Laws (all of His Word), and there is more of a feeling of obligation to do what He says and interact with one another as He prescribes.  Country club members may leave any time something doesn't suit them, whether the problem is Scriptural or not, and frequently do.  Whole Bible Community members, while retaining the freedom to stay or leave as they choose, tend to work through problems (and problems will arise) by consulting Scripture and submitting to one another in humility and patience.  Community members tend to read the Scriptures more, spend time discussing what they mean and how to apply them, and try as best they can to do them.

There seems to be little reason to spend a lot of time building another country club, but there appears to be a desperate need for community.

Leadership.  A practical example of a difference between a Whole Bible community and a (or the) church is that leadership in a Whole Bible community is part time, plural, and shared, while the church leadership is usually in the hands of one full-time person (or a staff of support persons for the one leader).  Stipends are paid to some of the elders who need it to help with the expenses of teaching and counseling, but full time work and the attendant compensation need is non-existent.  This avoids the usual trap of paying someone else to do 'ministry' for the individual.  It also means that the Whole Bible community leaders may speak what they see as the truth without fear of losing a job.

Finances.  Money given to the community is primarily for the support of the members of the community and secondarily for needs outside of the community.  It doesn't make any sense to give money away if people in the community are hungry or are having trouble paying the rent.  Of course, the Scripture says that if a person doesn't work he doesn't eat, so all community members are encouraged to find gainful work.  But sometimes a helping hand is needed and should be given by the community as a whole.

Membership.  There are two types of people in our community, 'family' and 'friends of the family.'  Family are those who have committed and submitted to the Bible and each other.  Friends of the Family are those who visit or are trying to get to know us but may not have committed fully yet.  The full resources of the community are available to Family members, but are of limited availability to Friends of the Family.  For instance, financial help is readily given to Family but only under special circumstances is it given to Friends of the Family.  An individual Family member may decide to make time or money available to a Friend but that is the prerogative of the individual.  A community takes care of the member on its' doorstep before trying to help others in trouble.

To 'commit and submit' means to make it a priority to learn and do what God requires of His children by reading and discussing the Word of God and to submit to the rulings of the elders in questions of application.  There is no formal process for committing and submitting because it will be apparent in the individual's behavior and speech.  A simple declaration will suffice, along with observation and agreement by the elders and other community members.

The Bible.  The Word of God is considered to be the current Protestant versions.  Translations can be incorrect and must be compared with other translations, and Scripture with Scripture, in order to arrive at the meaning of the text.  The Word of God is considered to be without mistake and infallible in it's original delivery.  It is meant to reveal the Will of God for the believer's life, not to conceal.  This does not mean that there are not concealed items within the text, but that all of what God expects of His children in daily behavior has been given to the average person in plain, readily understood language.

Interpretation.  In matters of interpretation we could be termed 'strict,' while in matters of application we are 'loose.'  This means that we work at avoiding 'adding to or subtracting from' God's Word and take it in it's plain, literal meaning when interpreting.  But when it comes to application, we are very loose.  For those who know, we tend to follow someone like the rabbi Hillel rather than the rabbi Shammai (rabbis who lived just before Jesus). 

Application.  Sometimes there will be disagreement on the practical application of the text because the details are not present.  For instance, some people believe that a woman should have a small cloth on top of the head, while others do not.  Since there are no details in the biblical text concerning material, placement, age of the wearer, marriage status, size, and so on, then the wearing of such a garment is relegated to the 'disputatious matters' of Romans 14.  This means that if a person chooses to wear the cloth there is no Scripture preventing it.  On the other hand, there is no Scripture that plainly commands it.  Therefore, allowance can be made for the practice one way or the other in love.

Another example is the kippah (key-pah).  If a man chooses to wear it, even though it is not specifically commanded, this is okay because there is also no command that says we should avoid it.  Beards are optional, likewise because instructions are sparse for the implementation.  Some people feel long skirts for females are appropriate, while others see that pants are okay.  If the Bible is silent on these and other points, why should we be talking?

Even those items that are spelled out in the text with no room for misunderstanding are applied with great leeway.  It takes time for people to understand what God requires and change their lives around to accommodate it.  For instance, it is very clear in the Bible that His people are to observe His feasts and holy days.  One person might understand right away and be able to implement all of them immediately, including the proper observation of the Sabbath.  A second person may take a while to 'buy in' to this command and do it, especially the weekly Sabbath.  The second person may have a job in the retail industry and it may take him or her a while (after understanding that this is what God wants) to change jobs, so they are not working on the Sabbaths.   In the meantime, those members who are following this particular command should have patience and love for the person working his or her way to the goal.

Meetings.  There is wide latitude given us for meeting styles, times, days, and so on from the Word, because there are no specific commands and very little description of other meetings.  Historically Jews meet together on Sabbaths (Saturdays).  Catholics and Protestants meet together in a main meeting on Sundays, but have other meetings at other times.  As far as the Word is concerned, Sabbath is a day of rest and His people are supposed to have a 'holy convocation' which is somewhat obscure in meaning.  There are no other days in the Word specified for meetings.

A 'holy convocation' is not described for us in Scripture, either as to how many people are involved, or what to do, or how to do it.  Jesus said that "where two or more are gathered there am I in the midst," so it seems that at least two people would be involved in a 'holy convocation.'  Scripture also tells us that His people were to 'stay in their place,' which is also a little obscure in meaning.  It could mean 'stay at home,' or it could mean 'stay in one area' (like the neighborhood), or 'stay in the camp.'  Since it is unreasonable to think that all of Israel (estimated to be several million at the time of the Exodus) went to one 'synagogue,' it was more likely that the 'holy convocation' was two or more people in a family tent or even a gathering of neighbors in close proximity to each other.  'Holy convocations' were not limited (by Scripture) to Saturday (the Sabbath) only, but again is seems reasonable that the main meeting was on this day because other days were for work.

A Whole-Bible community does not have to meet on Saturdays, or any other particular day.  However, we are admonished to not forsake 'gathering together' so it is an important function.  Saturday tends to be a good day to meet because it is also the day of rest, but it is not required.  A 'holy convocation' could be made by two people like a husband and wife, or an immediate family, or whatever, and a main meeting could be on any other day during the week, if work and time permit.

Meeting styles.  As noted above, there is no specific meeting style commanded by our Father in His Word.  Many, many variations have been proposed and adopted by diverse groups of people throughout history and all over the world.  There is probably no single 'right' way to have public meetings.  It does seem appropriate, however, that public reading of His Word should be included, as well as opportunities for study and for questions.

Music is a part of daily living for most people, and is used for praising God or for teaching His Word.  There are extensive references to music and musical instruments in the Word, much of them in direct reference to responding to God with praise or other acknowledgement of Him or His works, and seems appropriate for public meetings for the same uses.

The Word seems to place an emphasis on 'rejoicing' when we are together.  Therefore a public meeting should primarily be a time of reading His Word, praising Him and His Word, and rejoicing in Him, His Word, and each other.  Exactly how these things are accomplished should be up to the individual community.  Encouraged is anything that doesn't specifically go against the Word and promotes a joyful attitude.  Discouraged is anything that specifically goes against the Word and that puts a damper on biblical rejoicing. 

Sometimes a style is chosen that appeals more to one ethnicity than another.  For instance, many groups favor a 'Jewish' approach to meeting.  This is fine for those so disposed.  However, an eye should be given to choosing a style that will 'open up' the meetings to people groups looking for fellowship that may not be of the same ethnic persuasion as the style that is chosen.  In other words, while a 'Jewish' flavor might appeal to Jews, many non-Jews find the liturgy and language difficult to accept and follow.  If a community wants to present the gospel to as many different people groups as possible, it seems better to choose a style that would assist with this goal than to pick a style that might impede the message.

Many 'torah communities' use a 'Jewish' style of meeting, thinking that it is more 'torah-centered' than other styles.  This is not the case.  Much of the 'Jewish style' is simply cultural.  Most of it arose from rabbinic rulings and is concerned more with maintaining Jewish identity than with the Bible.  Much of the time it is at cross-purposes with the free flow of the Holy Spirit because of its structured nature.  Jewish flavor is fine, within limits.  But care should be taken with how choosing a style such as this might limit the appeal of the gospel to other people groups.