Sacrament as Social Process: Christ the Transformer of Culture

Abstract

… Each of these practices [of the apostolic community] can function as a paradigm for ways in which other social groups might operate. … People who do not share the faith or join the community can learn from them. “Binding and loosing” can provide models for conflict resolution, alternatives to litigation, and alternative perspectives on “corrections.” Sharing bread is a paradigm, not only for soup kitchens and hospitality houses, but also for social security and negative income tax. “Every member of the Body has a gift” is an immediate alternative to vertical “business” models of management. Paul's solidarity models of deliberation correlate with the reasons that the Japanese can make better cars than Detroit.