Abstract
From Isolation to Community issues a bold call to the church, to recognize its own complicity in a culture marked by isolation, which it argues is the primary outcome of human sin. In this thought-provoking book Myles Werntz makes a strong case for this dark assessment of the church but, thankfully, he does not stop there. The book goes on to suggest tangible changes churches can make to resist this deeply embedded isolation and begin to cultivate an authentic community.
The book begins by reflecting on isolation, not so much as one symptom arising from sin but as the virus of sin itself. Werntz then challenges the church to recognize the many ways in which isolation is lived out, often unnoticed, in many church practices. Calling principally on the rich Christo-centric writings of Deitrich Bonhoeffer, the author proposes how the church must both correctly understand itself and shape its habits and practices in such a way that it becomes a community of interwoven relationships, mediated by Christ, for the sake of the world.
Core Christian practices are explored, suggesting how these practices can shift our lives away from isolation and toward the community of love that we are called to be. In this framework, mission, too, is transformed from ‘doing for’ others into ‘being with’ others, in order to bring human flourishing.
Some readers may find the high ecclesiology of this book disconcerting, given our all-too-common experience of the on-the-ground brokenness of the church. But none can deny the beauty of such an ecclesiology. Werntz writes, ‘Christ is at the center of the world, with the church at the center of Christ’s work throughout all the radiant dimension of creation; what happens as people inhabit the life together of the church fans out for the renewal of all kinds of communities, as isolation’s long shadow is repealed’ (p.94). It could be argued that such an exalted view of the church needs to be balanced with the ecclesiology held by many of the Reformers, that the church is simply a bunch of sinners saved by God’s grace. Nonetheless, Werntz is reminding the church of its high calling in our time, just as Bonhoeffer did in his time, and for that, the seminarians, pastors, and lay leaders seeking to lead the church today should be grateful. This book will serve as a worthy guide.