For EVers, the emphasis on produced fruit is in the context of non-community, or the self. Examples of non-community fruit: do not lust or look at porn; do not lie; do not drink alcohol; do not get pregnant; do not talk dirty; do not miss QT or prayer time; do not vote for democrats… (just kidding!) Like everyone else these are gross generalizations, and the list is not exhaustive by any means, but the fruit that people see are all about fruit that is self-oriented.

ECers, on the other hand, value more community-centric fruit: give a portion of your money to an unwed mother; help clean up God’s creation, like a local river; advocate for the dying Sudanese; buy a meal for a homeless man; buy haircuts for little homeless kids.

Does the distinction make sense? It seems the EC emphasis on observable fruit is a little less about what I as an individual do not do with self, and more about what I as an individual do for others in community…My experience with FunGicalism (fundamental evangelicalism) was all about what I as an individual do not do with myself. There was little if no emphasis on fruit I do for and in community…Of course that was one experience, but it seems to be the experience of most EVers that I minister to on the Hill, too…

be His,
-jeremy

PS-I blogged about another topic along a similar line of thinking a few days ago. It was about murdering, hating preachers who die and stand in judgement, and wondering what God will say to them…they may have prayed the prayer but their fruit was something entirely different. I wrote it in thinking about fruit and people who say they are Christians but do not “produce” as Jesus would have them. Interestingly, the two pastors I highlight are from non-denom, EV, bible churches…You can read the post here: http://novuslumen.blogspot.com/2005/06/what-will-happen-to-murdering-hating.html

My point was not to place a value-judgment on the different sets of values; rather to point out that these different sets of values often lead to mutual loathing and judgment. I’m all for affirming and celebrating - saying “Amen” to - different manifestations of the Spirit. I’m not sure I resonate with the idea that different church communities should just do what they do best and call it a day. Paul seems to be saying to the Galatians that everyone who is “in step with the Spirit” will exhibit ALL of the fruit of the Spirit. Is it really OK to elevate one or four of them and write off the others as someone else’s territory? “Well, we here at the Peace-Loving Chapel of Gentleness don’t really do Self-Control. You’ll find that down the road at Faithful Gospel Tabernacle of Temperance.”

I understand there is a pragmatism to all of this, and perhaps I am too much of an idealist to embrace it. Sigh.

I do think that there is a gap between which fruits are given higher value, and there’s maybe a second aspect to that. EC folk seem to place a high value on spiritual fruit in systemic manifestation (i.e. living at peace with other nations), while EV folk seem to place a high value on spiritual fruit in personal manifestation (i.e. living at peace with one’s wife). Again, broad, broad, broad generalization.

Here’s what I think - let’s take this out of the context of accusation, and put it in the context of “amen”. The EV church says we should exhibit self-control? Amen. A better grasp of scripture, and a well-developed interpretation? Amen. EC folk say we should work toward more just systems and institutions? Amen. A deeper ecclesiology and stronger community? Amen.

I guess my question would be, how can any of these things be bad? And maybe a further question, one that might make some people upset, is it OK to acknowledge that most church communities won’t be succesful at all of these, and that we need wide nets, varied communities to fully manifest the Kingdom?