Description

We can trace the understanding and interpretation of the Body of Christ from the first century to the present using the Spiral.

The first century followers lived in the center of a Blue (Traditional) worldview. They naturally interpreted from an institutional framework.

Just as the Roman Empire had a Caesar, Generals, and Centurions so also the Body of Christ became an entity ruled by a Pope, Cardinals, Bishops, and Priests.

The advent of Modernity (Orange) brought us Martin Luther who dared to question. Questioning led to protesting and consequently a proliferation of new denominations.

The current leading edge of thinking is Post-Modernity or the Green worldview. Many have moved into new forms such as non-denominational, emergent, and progressive groups.

We continue to ask:

• What's next?
• What will integral faith communities look like?
• Will we begin to see the Body of Christ as a first-century transformative model leading into a universal understanding of spiritual community?

Thanks for hanging in there with us as we wrap this topic up—for now!