CM Conference Notes: The Relational Paradigm of Christianity

[These are my notes from a two-part lecture by Jason Fletcher about moving to a model for life that's based on relationships rather than self-service or capitalism - Tim]


The Relational Paradigm of Christianity: Part 1

Social isolation is growing. A quarter of the people in the US say that they have no one to confide in. Because people are busier, because people move more, because of TV, and because of a strongly individualistic worldview, society is becoming more fragmented. We can call this the "I World". Studies show that materialism is also a problem: our GDP is increasing steadily, but happiness with life hasn't changed.

So we need a new paradigm. It's the quality of our relationships that determines our happiness, and Christianity is a relational religion.


1. Christianity is a relational religion

Christianity is unique in that it sees God as a triune being with relationship built in. Taking that further, we could say that an isolated person is an oxymoron--true personhood can only exist in a relationship. We have needs that can only be met by relationships. But only in the Trinity do we see a relationship in which each individual's needs are met perfectly. Good relationships (including the Trinity) are others-centered. Sin is a failure of relationships. It is becoming less than a full person.


2. The Nature of a Good Relationship

Christianity promises that in the end we shall have perfect relationships with God and men. But in the meantime we are becoming more Christ-like. (See Micah 6:8.) Matthew 22:32-40, "Love the Lord...love thy neighbor." This is what Christianity is all about. God wants us to culture good relationships.

Good relationships have two things: relational values and relational conditions. (Keeping in mind that all relationships are imperfect.) Relational values, taken from a study of the Old Testament, include steadfast love (which could also be called loyalty or compassion); righteousness, which means fulfilling the duties of a specific relationship; justice, seeking to right wrongs; faithfulness and truthfulness (in Hebrew the two words are almost interchangeable); mercy, compassion; forgiveness; and generosity (which is linked to loyalty, but goes beyond it).

There are five relational conditions (gleaned from Old Testament law). 1) Directness. Face-to-face encounters and communication. This is important because we communicate so much non-verbally. Emails, phone calls, letters, etc. lose that part of communication. They are also focused on information rather than interaction. Directness means close and attentive presence. 2) Continuity: the amount of time we invest in relationships (including our relationship with God). We can think of a 24-hour period like a box: you can squish it one way and make it long but thin; or you can squish it the other way, which will make it cover less but will make it deeper. "Quality time" isn't as important as simple quantity time. 3) Multiplexity: the depth of knowledge we have about the other in a relationship. The number of contexts we know a person in. We should avoid one-dimensional relationships. 4) Parity: managing differences in power between people in the relationship. The proper use of authority (not to be confused with equality). 5) Commonality, purpose. A relationship is strengthened by a shared vision or shared interests.

Good relationships have all of the qualities described above.

Charlotte Mason taught that children should be treated as human beings, full persons in their own right. The teacher is a mentor in the student's quest for knowledge. There is a relationship between the teacher and the child. There is also a relationship between the student and the ideas. Because relationships are so pivotal--to education as well as to being and knowing--the character of the teacher is extremely important.


3. Relational Agenda: the explanatory power of the relational perspective.

(Part 2: A Christian Perspective on the Environment)

The wider realm of relationships. Social action (immediate aid) and social reform (changing laws, addressing causes rather than symptoms). The vision is not capitalism but relationism. Any judgment of an act must measure its wider relational impact.

Jesus said, "Love God, love neighbor," not "love earth". Our "relationship" with earth is distinct from person-to-person relationships. But there are several reasons why we should care about (for) the earth. 1) Because God does. 2) Because He has told us to (Genesis 3:15). 3) Because we have dominion over the earth as God's representatives. We are to be servant-kings (shepherd-kings) like Him. 4) Because we are connected to and dependent upon the earth. Even Man's name, "Adam," comes from the word "earth". The failure to care for creation is a failure of love. When we harm the environment we harm our neighbors through it, and our relations that extend into the future. 5) Because God has promised to restore creation as part of His salvation plan. And we, as Christians, should proclaim and demonstrate redemption in all its forms.

Two ways to care for the earth: rest and roots. Rest: keeping the Sabbath as God did. The need for rest is built into creation. Land produces best when it has fallow years. So we should limit our take, not squeezing every last drop out of the earth. We're supposed to take a shared day off; only in this way does a day of rest do what it's supposed to do for our relationships. Roots. (See Leviticus 25, about the Year of Jubilee.) In ancient Israel the outright purchase of land was forbidden. And every fifty years all leases ended and the land was returned to its original family. This created a connection with the land, because the same family kept the same land, and also a connection within families, because members of a family lived near each other. As communities weaken, our reliance upon centralized government increases. (There was also a ban on usury in ancient Israel, which helped to prevent a sharp class distinction from arising.)

Further research: www.jubilee-centre.org and www.relationshipsfoundation.org