…some more thoughts on virtual perichoresis

Scot McKnight is continuing the conversation about whether virtual community is “real” community over at Jesus Creed.  This is my comment (found at #27):

Scot (and the rest of y’all at the “One T”) ;^),

It is good to see that this conversation is continuing to bounce around the blogosphere. There has been some conversation over at Missional Tribe about it that has been interesting. So I’ll just chime in here as inspired by the comments.

I believe that there is one covenant to which we are to belong — the New Covenant in the blood of Jesus. We connect to that covenant when we recite the Jesus Creed. Loving God and Loving Others fulfills the Law. When we love God and love others in this (or another virtual space), we are experiencing a kind of covenant community. It is not the same as other kinds, but that does not mean it does not count.

We experience many different kinds of community in our lives. Not one of them fulfills each and every need for connection. This is another of those both/and situations. We are to receive with grace and gratitude each and every connection that the Spirit provides.

In the two years I have been a part of the Jesus Creed community, I have shared many personal things that I have not been able to express in other places. Those persons who were part of those conversations have shared a precious community with me that has nurtured me in ways I did not think possible. They have functioned as the hand or shoulder of Christ in profound ways. This is nothing short of a gift from God….

I believe that the moving of community into the virtual realm gives us a bit of a better glimpse of “the communion of the saints” — and that leads us to ponder perichoresis — at least it does for me. My post over at Missional Tribe pondered this some: http://abisomeone.missionaltribe.org/2009/02/15/the-virtual-nature-of-perichoresis/

And for those of you who have not watched the video, it will be important for you to review the four components that Shane identifies as being essential to community.

One last thought…sometimes, unfortunately, it is important for us to define things according to what we have not experienced as well as what we have experienced. I have physically been in churches where I have thought I was part of the community most of my life … only to be surprised by the real thing in the virtual. That is not meant as a slam … it is the sad, sobering reality of far too many.

The virtual provides a methodology for transparency … and when used well, the Spirit shows up in ways that can be breath-taking. I do not believe it wise to discount this.

Sorry that this wee virtual abbess has not yet had the time to fully process this … I am trusting the Spirit to bring the right words at the right time.

Have you chimed in somewhere on this discussion?  I saw that Brother Maynard did over at Subversive Influence.   Your thoughts are welcome here.