Christianity - communal or personal relationship

I recently read a blog about the above subject and it was stated that Christianity is supposed to be communal and not a 'personal relationship with God'. It was argued that that phrase is not in the bible. Well, neither is the word Trinity but it can be supported by Scripture. 'Personal relationship' can also be supported by scripture and yes some writers say this 'personal relationship' thing didn't begin until the Enlightenment period. What are your thoughts?

Here is the article.
http://www.chadbird.com/blog/2017/4/26/christianity-is-not-about-a-personal-relationship-with-jesus

It's both, not either or.

Each one of the disciples had a relationship with Jesus.

Also, each family is made up of relationships within the family.

And we, are the family of God.

Eph. 3:14,15

Brother John,

While I am in agreement with Bear and Savannah in that it's both, the article does make a valid point in that most people "fashion" Jesus after themselves as opposed to the revelation of who He is according to scripture. Where when in a communal setting we are exposed to His grace working in ways we hadn't imagined which in turn makes Jesus more precious, more powerful and even more worthy of our worship. Also I've noticed that in a community of believers there seems to be an incentive to grow more so than in an isolated instance, tho sometimes flesh gets in the way and inhibits the spirit and that (I've witnessed) happens both privately as well as corporately.
For example, it's been observed that a person whom is by nature more conservative will see Jesus primarily in this light, as a very conservative individual. Whereas a person who takes issue with the status quo tends to key in on the scriptures that support Jesus being a radical. In an assembly each are exposed to the other and bare witness to the Spirit moving and working in areas and ways there perspective doesn't account for which in turn aids in opening hearts to the truth of His spirit:)

Christianity certainly includes both in its practical out working, however in essence it is much more.

A word that describes it well is: Union

I may have a relationship with (relate to) other women but I am united with my wife. We do not have a relationship with Jesus, we are one spirit with Him, we are united with Him and therefore United with each other as spiritual members in one body. I may not relate to you every day but am nevertheless one with you as my brother as we have both been baptized into Christ by one Spirit. That is why, when one member suffers, the whole body suffers.

Consider Jesus prayer in John 17:""I am not praying * only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe * in me through their testimony, * that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray * that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. The glory * you gave to me I have given to them, that they may be one just as we are one ”“ I in them and you in me ”“ that they may be completely one, * so that the world will know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me."

"That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith..." Ephesians 3:17 That sounds very personal to me.

That was very well said sir!

I agree with all the comments posted. It is both personal and communal.

I read the blog and found it to be totally foreign to Whom God is to me. Many years ago God violently tore me away from a corrupt religious setting and stripped the things from my life which I had trusted to reveal Himself to me as a loving Father Who desired me to be in constant communion with Him. I treasure this blessed relationship above everything else I know. Whenever I meet a fellow believer I sense a special kinship with the same, but it is always based on our personal relationship with the same Father - we are one in Christ. Is not this the message conveyed by the High Priestly prayer of John 17?

David

A Lutheran pastor posted the link on social media. Another Lutheran got mad at me when I said that just because 'personal relationship' isn't found in the bible doesn't mean it isn't there. The word 'Trinity' is not in the bible but it can be proven so 'personal relationship' isn't in the bible but it can be proven.

I think this was more dealing with a Lutheran concept of faith that it is the church that brings God's salvation to you. His patience was think and he said he shakes off the dust from his feet with me after 2 comments of mine.

It tells me there is a major problem with him and maybe in some in the Lutheran church.

Thanks Fletcher. The Spirit of God is faithful and leads us into all truth.

Bless you for your encouragement.

I thought about this for a long while. The dilemma of the modern English language is that they no longer differentiate between singuluar and plural "you" in the bible. The KJV version use "ye" and "thou". Most of the epistles where addressed to a plural audience.
Salvation is not only individual but corporate. Emphasizing that salvation is mostly personal borders on egotism.

Jude wanted to write about our common salvation but then felt compelled to write about more pressing issues. I wonder if he ever had a chance to write about this topic, it would be most interesting.

Narrowpath

I agree with you about the modern English Langauge. It doesn't make the text better to understand as we think it does. I was thinking about Polycarp today and when he was killed for his faith. He mentioned that 86 years he has believed God and God never failed him. Well, this assumes that he must have been baptized as an infant? But Polycarp speaks of a personal God whereas corporate isn't necessarily a personal thing.

I was listening to a Lutheran service on podcast today while weightlifting and when there was corporate prayer I was thinking about this topic. There is corporate prayer but what about those who are saying it because they memorized the words and are doing it because it is part of the program vs those who are doing it from the heart. I often wonder where the dividing line is with the corporate part of it. Maybe I am thinking too much into it?

Perhaps the Lord Himself is giving you the desire to search this out... if so then it's benefits would surely be both personal and corporate.
I have always read the verse where God gives us the desires of our heart to mean that He initiates or purposes a desire in our heart so that we will seek His understanding. Only your can know if this is one of those cases and if it is then it is a most precious thing and could be instrumental in the Lords restoring work. If it's not from the Lord then it could perhaps wind up being a distraction from what He is directing you to.... either case, I pray blessings upon you in your endeavors :)