What are the essential elements of discipleship? What are the foundational walls upon which the structure of Christian life is to be built? Ron Rolheiser in his latest book, “Sacred Fire,” reminds us again (He laid our these principles in his “The Holy Longing.”) of the four core values of a Christian:
1. Private prayer and private integrity.
2. Charity and justice.
3. involvement in an ecclesial community.
4. Forgiveness and mellowness of heart.
Wait a minute! These are abstractions from a flesh and blood religion. Right? And, Rolheiser would agree but he wants to express academically what is an emotional and faith based stance of a Christian. Nevertheless, here is another way of marking out the four foundational walls of our Christian faith:
1. A personal relationship with Jesus Christ, as Lord and Savior.
2. Jesus’ commandment to love one another as He has loved us is the heart of the disciple’s response. Justice is the first response of a Christian.
3. Being a member of the Body of Christ in this world. We are Pauline in our understanding of fellowship. Being separate, apart and not responsible to other Christians is not an option.
“Yeah, but I can go pray in the woods. I don’t need a church. Most of them are full of hypocrites. I like pure religion.” The answer: Go pray in the woods and when you are finished come back and share the burden of being in the Christian mission of the Church.
4. Forgiveness saves the human heart from corruption. Jesus demands that we forgive one another as often as necessary. Mercy always and all ways.
Rolheiser does flesh out his four pillars of essential discipleship and he does it in within the context of the secular world in which we live.