Community 101 [Paperback]

Gilbert Bilezikian (Author), John Ortberg (Introduction)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 23, 1997

Authentic community is essential if the church is to remain true to its God-assigned mission. As the title indicates, the interrelated concepts of community and oneness are presented in this book. Gilbert Bilezikian lays a biblical foundation for this call to community by showing the centrality of community in the sweep of salvation history -- its loss in the Fall, its reclamation through Christ, and its ultimate realization in the New Jerusalem. Bilezikian proceeds to describe how community can be expressed in the daily life of the church, from small groups to various forms of ministry to church leadership. Focusing on oneness, this book presents a paradigm that can renew the vision of the church in this postmodern society and confirm the authenticity of its message. Authentic community is essential if the church is to remain true to its God-assigned mission. As the title indicates, the two interrelated concepts of community and oneness are presented in this book. Gilbert Bilezikian lays a biblical foundation for this call to community by showing the centrality of community in the sweep of salvation history - its loss in the Fall, its reclamation through Christ, and its ultimate realization in the New Jerusalem.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Authentic community is essential if the church is to remain true to its God-assigned mission. As the title indicates,* the two interrelated concepts of community and oneness are presented in this book. Gilbert Bilezikian lays a biblical foundation for this call to community by showing the centrality of community in the sweep of salvation history - its loss in the Fall, its reclamation through Christ, and its ultimate realization in the New Jerusalem.

Bilezikian proceeds to describe how community can be expressed in the daily life of the church, from small groups to various forms of ministry to church leadership. Focusing on oneness, this book presents a paradigm that can renew the vision of the church in this postmodern society and confirm the authenticity of its message.

From the Author

Gilbert Bilezikian (Th.D., Boston University) is one of the co-founders of Willow Creek Community Church and Professor Emeritus of Biblical Studies at Wheaton College. He is the author of Christianity 101

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (August 23, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310217415
• ISBN-13: 978-0310217411
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.7 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #332,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Gilbert Bilezikian (ThD, Boston University) is a professor emeritus of Wheaton College, a charter member and elder of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, and the author of Community 101.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Powerful yet frustrating book on community, March 27, 2010

By 

Laurence T. Baxter "Step Up to the Call" (Indiana USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Community 101 (Paperback)

Community 101 by Gilbert Bilezikian is a book that deserves to be read by any Christian who wants to understand biblical koinonia fellowship at a much deeper level, and who longs to experience a oneness with God and with fellow believers in a fresh way. The author has been studying and teaching about authentic community for a long time, and has some truly outstanding things to say about community. Bilezikian was a major influence on Bill Hybels and many other pastors who have raised the bar in terms of outreach and small group community. I read this book because it was on the 'supplemental reading' list in a seminary class on community.

Yet... at the same time I found this book terribly frustrating. The author is a strong proponent of several views that are controversial, and/or cause much friction with the evangelical community. Among these issues are his views on the relationship between the persons in the Trinity (and his view on the eternal subordination of the son), an outspoken egalitarian view on gender roles in ministry, and a staunchly non-hierarchical view of leadership within the church. If you're a proponent of these views as well, this book will likely be well received. If not, OR if you prefer to see a more balanced view with objective presentation of several sides of complex issues, you will be frustrated. The word that comes to mind in the authors tone and approach in these issues is "relentless." From the start of the book until the end, he just doesn't let up! There is an appendix titled "Hermeneutical Bungee Jumping: Subordination in the Godhead", the title of which is suggestive of the one-sidedness in which these issues are addressed. (The reader wanting to get more information on these issues will want to look at both Beyond Sex Roles: What the Bible Says about a Woman's Place in Church and Family and Evangelical Feminism: A New Path to Liberalism?)

Another example: in discussing the nature of leadership in a church and how it effects community, Bilezikian takes such an stance against authority structures that he proposes that Paul's teaching in First Corinthians and I Timothy is actually "quoting disapprovingly of the teaching propounded in Corinth by opponents trying to sabotage his work... unfortunately quotation marks had not been invented when Paul wrote his letters." (p.88) Seriously?! Whether right or wrong, this is one example of how polarized some of the teaching is in this book.

Again, there is some excellent material in here no matter what position you take on issues of leadership, gender roles, or the nature of the Trinity, and the book is worth reading; but Community 101 must be read with discernment and patience.

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible and Life Changing, August 24, 2009

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dconstable - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Community 101 (Paperback)

Is it possible for churches to have the kind of power and influence as those of the first three centuries. YES!! Read this book now and study it with Bible open. My life is forever changed as a result of this book. The relationships with my wife, family and friends are going to be different because I now know the why behind God's commands. It's not that I don't trust what He says, I do! It's that my mind has now wrapped itself around the mechanics behind what brings God's blessing to us. It is Oneness!!! I am really excited about this.

[...]

5.0 out of 5 stars Completely Radical, August 3, 2005

By 

A Reader "A Reader" (Manitou Springs, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Community 101 (Paperback)

Before I read this book, I was beginning to process the idea of community and the radical implications it has for the church and this book succintly puts it together.
Radical is kind of a funny 80's word, but I think it most accurately describes what the author is proposing God wants for His people. it has nothing to do with gender, everything to do with giftedness and can be uncomfortable when faced with some feedback on yourself. How amazingly different from the world which clamours to one up each other, and hold power over others. how much Jesus and Paul turned the worlds thinking on its head. how much like God to do so!