Can a Christian Go it Alone?

Dear Apologist, my friend says she can be a good Christian without going to a church.  What should I say?

It is a truism in some Christian circles that mere church attendance does not necessarily make one a disciple of Christ.

 This is true, but it does not excuse one from gathering in community. The description of the Christian life found in Scripture is inherently communal.


"Do This":

For instance, the form of worship which Jesus left us takes the form of a public sacrifice and meal.  As Saint Paul said to the Corinthians:

 "For I received from the Lord what I also handed on to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took a loaf of bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, 'This is my body that is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.' In the same way he took the cup also, after supper, saying, 'This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.'  For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes." [1]

In other words, a person who is purposefully isolating herself from God’s people is separating herself from the central act of Christian devotion.  Which is an odd thing for a "true disciple" to do.

Into the Net:

I would further respond by sketching out Christ’s vision for the Church.  In his letter to the Ephesians, Saint Paul said it was Christ’s intention to gather divided peoples and create “one new man”[2].  Jesus prayed that his Church would be bound together in unity and mutual love, such that the world would clearly perceive it as the handiwork of God [3].  It is supposed be a unified, visible society of believers.

And yet, Christ also compares the Church to a catch of good and bad fish, and a garden filled with wheat and weeds [4,5].  Not in vain did Paul urge Christians to tolerate and forgive one another [6] - it could be that God’s chosen method for perfecting you in patience and forbearance is sticking you in a community filled with fellow sinners and screw-ups.

There is no room for saying, "The Church isn't good enough for me."

Where is Thine Shepherd?

The next thing I'd point out is the structure of the Church involves visible leaders.  For instance, in Titus 1:5 we find Paul telling Titus to appoint leaders in Crete [7].  In Acts 15 we see these leaders gathering together to solve a major issue in the Church [8].

This structure fulfilled the very practical purpose of clarifying what the Christian faith is and protecting us from from falling into error.  That is why the letter to the Hebrews gives the following command to lay people: 

"Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you"[9]. 

 And it is yet another divine command which cannot be fulfilled outside of a church community. Who is "over you" ?

Arm in Arm:

The last thing I’d point out is how Paul’s depiction of the Church in 1st Corinthians is a single body of mutual dependence.  He notes how we all have a function, and no one can look at another Christian and say, “I have no use for you” [10].

Thus, the letter to the Hebrews gives us the specific command:

“Consider how to rouse one another to love and good works.  We should not stay away from our assembly, as is the custom of some, but encourage one another.” [11]

For all these reasons and more, the answer is "no".  The modern phenomenon of Christians breaking away from community and attempting to fly as "solo Christians" is not a legitimate one.

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CITATIONS

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[1] 1Corinthians 11:23-26 

[2] Ephesians 2:14-15 - "For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace."

[3] John 17:20-21 - “I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word,  that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

[4] Matthew 13:24-26 - "He put before them another parable: 'The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field;  but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well.'"

[5] Matthew 13:47-48 - "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;  when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad." 

[6] Colossians 3:12-13 - "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do."

[7] Titus 1:5 - "For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you."

[8] Acts 15:1,6 - "And certain men came down from Judea and taught the brethren, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.' Now the apostles and elders came together to consider this matter." 

[9] Hebrews 13:17

[10] 1Corinthians 12:20-21 - "But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, 'I have no need of you'; nor again the head to the feet, 'I have no need of you.'"

[11]  Hebrews 10:24-25