What is Triangular Christianity? (4)

The third aspect of biblical Christianity - the third side of the triangle - is our relationship with one another. The significance of this third side is outlined well in Scot McKnight’s The Jesus Creed. He explains this as a development above and beyond traditional Judaism:

One can say, then, that the creed of Judaism is this: Love God by living the Torah…But Jesus revises the Shema in two ways: loving others is added to loving God, and loving God is understood as following Jesus.” (7, 11)

Therefore, the Jesus Creed - as found in Matthew 22:37-40 - elevates the significance of loving others, not only as a reflection of our love for God, but as a critical component of our love for God. Several passages in 1 John make this abundantly clear:

1 John 1:3 ~ The purpose of John’s proclamation is so that they may have fellowship with God and with the Christian community.

1 John 1:6-7 ~ Notice how the phrase “fellowship with him” is almost interchangeable for “fellowship with one another.” Fellowship with God necessarily includes fellowship with one another.

1 John 3:11 ~ John’s “gospel” is loving one another!

1 John 4:20 ~ “If anyone says ‘I love God’ and yet hates his brother, he is a liar.” Enough said.

Triangular Christianity does not allow for a selfish, individualistic Christianity. Triangular Christianity does not allow for a withdrawn, monastic Christianity. Rather, Triangular Christianity demands the existence of a community of love.