The Church of Humans - Revision history

Origin: update for v2

2026-02-24T15:01:05Z

update for v2

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	It receives the [[Commandment#Commandment and Christ\|Two Great Commandments]] given by Christ: to love [[God]], and to [[love]] one’s [[neighbor]] as oneself.		It receives the [[Commandment#Commandment and Christ\|Two Great Commandments]] given by Christ: to love [[God]], and to [[love]] one’s [[neighbor]] as oneself.

	It ~~inherits a~~ [[Historical and Theological Orientation\|~~pre-Nicene~~ Christian ~~tradition~~]] ~~that understands~~ God through [[covenant]]al action and Christ through lived [[faith]],</br>		It aligns with the [[Historical and Theological Orientation\|earliest Christian communities]], understanding God through [[covenant]]al action and Christ through lived [[faith]],</br>
	and ~~admits~~ as [[sin]]s ~~both~~ [[judgment]] of others before God and [[harm]] or hatred toward one’s [[neighbor]].		and confessing as [[sin]]s the [[judgment]] of others before God, and [[harm]] or hatred toward one’s [[neighbor]].

	== On Jurisdiction ==		== On Jurisdiction ==

Origin: /* Gentiles and Apostolic Restraint */ updates v2

2026-02-24T14:48:27Z

Gentiles and Apostolic Restraint: updates v2

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	The earliest followers of Christ confronted the question of Gentile inclusion directly: whether those from the nations must enter Israel’s covenant in order to follow Christ.		The earliest followers of Christ confronted the question of Gentile inclusion directly: whether those from the nations must enter Israel’s covenant in order to follow Christ.

	Their answer was restraint.		Their answer was marked by restraint.

	Gentiles were received as Gentiles, without conversion, circumcision, or submission to the Law. ~~This decision preserved~~ the integrity of Israel’s covenant ~~while opening~~ fellowship to the nations~~. Authority was not expanded; it was deliberately withheld~~.		Gentiles were received as Gentiles, without conversion, circumcision, or submission to the Law. In this way, the integrity of Israel’s covenant was honored, and fellowship was opened to the nations without alteration or extension of what had been given.

	This ~~restraint~~ was not a ~~concession to weakness~~, but ~~an act of faithfulness~~. The apostles ~~refused to bind~~ where no ~~authority~~ had been ~~given, choosing unity~~ in [[Christ~~]] over~~ legal ~~extension~~.		This was not a retreat from conviction, but fidelity to covenantal limits. The apostles did not enlarge authority beyond its scope, nor did they impose obligations where no covenant had been established. Unity in Christ was affirmed without legal expansion.

	As a result, Gentile assemblies ~~were formed~~ without Torah obligation and without ~~mandate~~ to ~~govern themselves or others~~ by law. ~~Life together~~ was shaped ~~instead~~ by witness, conscience, patience, and love.		As a result, Gentile assemblies emerged without Torah obligation and without jurisdiction to bind by law. Their common life was shaped by witness, conscience, patience, and love rather than by codified rule.

	The Church of Humans stands within this ~~apostolic~~ restraint. It does not speak for Israel, judge Israel, or reinterpret Jewish covenantal life. It speaks ~~only~~ as a Gentile church among the nations, bound by what was given and by nothing more.		The Church of Humans stands within this same restraint. It does not speak for Israel, judge Israel, or reinterpret Jewish covenantal life. It speaks as a Gentile church among the nations, bound by what was given and by nothing more.

	== On Canon ==		== On Canon ==

Origin: /* Why the Canon Is Bounded */ update per v2

2026-02-24T14:45:22Z

Why the Canon Is Bounded: update per v2

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	The Church of Humans therefore refuses the expansion of canon as a means of expanding control. Its canon is bounded to what is necessary to bear public witness to Christ, to remember the formation of Gentile assemblies, and to guide faithful life without exceeding the authority that was given.		The Church of Humans therefore refuses the expansion of canon as a means of expanding control. Its canon is bounded to what is necessary to bear public witness to Christ, to remember the formation of Gentile assemblies, and to guide faithful life without exceeding the authority that was given.

	~~No text is~~ received as canon ~~if its dominant mode of argument depends upon extraordinary apostolic coercion—claims of authority that override or foreclose ordinary communal discernment—rather than~~ persuasion, ~~witness~~, and shared recognition within covenantal life. This limitation is not a rejection of Scripture, but an act of fidelity. By refusing to bind where no authority ~~exists~~, the church preserves both the integrity of the texts it receives and the freedom of the people who read them.		The writings received as canon speak through witness, persuasion, exhortation, and shared recognition within covenantal life. They do not ground their authority in extraordinary claims that override ordinary communal discernment, nor do they bind by decree what must instead be recognized in faith and lived in love.

			This limitation is not a rejection of Scripture, but an act of fidelity. By refusing to bind where no authority has been given, the church preserves both the integrity of the texts it receives and the freedom of the people who read them.

	=== The Witness Received ===		=== The Witness Received ===

Origin: but the johns

2026-02-24T14:39:33Z

but the johns

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:39, 24 February 2026
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	* 3 John		* 3 John

	These writings are read for guidance in faithful practice and restraint of authority. The letters received here address encouragement, suffering, conscience, and hope within Christian communities~~, without extending into mediation of social relations or household discipline~~.		These writings are read for guidance in faithful practice and restraint of authority. The letters received here address encouragement, suffering, conscience, and hope within Christian communities.

	In receiving these texts, the Church of Humans does not claim completeness, universality, or finality. It claims only sufficiency for faithful life among the nations within the authority that was given.		In receiving these texts, the Church of Humans does not claim completeness, universality, or finality. It claims only sufficiency for faithful life among the nations within the authority that was given.

Origin: /* The Witness Received */ canon v2

2026-02-24T14:38:27Z

The Witness Received: canon v2

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	The Gospel writings bear witness to the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Christ. They are received as the primary public testimony by which Christ is known.		The Gospel writings bear witness to the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Christ. They are received as the primary public testimony by which Christ is known.

			* John
	* Mark		* Mark
	* Luke		* Luke
	* John
	* ''[[The Witness of Thomas]]''

	The narrative Gospels proclaim the good news of Christ in story and testimony. The Witness of Thomas is received alongside them as a collection of sayings that train recognition rather than command conduct. Together, these writings shape encounter with Christ prior to doctrine, discipline, or institution.		The narrative Gospels proclaim the good news of Christ in story and testimony. The ''[[Witness of Thomas]]'' is received alongside them as a collection of sayings that train recognition rather than command conduct. Together, these writings shape encounter with Christ prior to doctrine, discipline, or institution.

	==== History ====		==== History ====

Origin: /* Letters */ canon v2

2026-02-24T14:37:29Z

Letters: canon v2

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:37, 24 February 2026
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	The letters are received as situational counsel addressed to identifiable communities. They speak to life in common, suffering, freedom, conscience, and love, without constituting a legal code or universal system.		The letters are received as situational counsel addressed to identifiable communities. They speak to life in common, suffering, freedom, conscience, and love, without constituting a legal code or universal system.

	* ~~Romans~~		* James
	* 1 ~~Corinthians~~		* 1 John
	* 2 ~~Corinthians~~		* 2 John
	* ~~Philippians~~		* 3 John
	* 1 Thessalonians

	These writings are read for guidance in faithful practice and restraint of authority. The letters received here address encouragement, suffering, conscience, and hope within ~~Gentile~~ communities, without extending into mediation of social relations or household discipline.		These writings are read for guidance in faithful practice and restraint of authority. The letters received here address encouragement, suffering, conscience, and hope within Christian communities, without extending into mediation of social relations or household discipline.

	In receiving these texts, the Church of Humans does not claim completeness, universality, or finality. It claims only sufficiency for faithful life among the nations within the authority that was given.		In receiving these texts, the Church of Humans does not claim completeness, universality, or finality. It claims only sufficiency for faithful life among the nations within the authority that was given.

Origin: /* Why the Canon Is Bounded */ clarify

2026-02-04T17:02:31Z

Why the Canon Is Bounded: clarify

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:02, 4 February 2026
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	The Church of Humans therefore refuses the expansion of canon as a means of expanding control. Its canon is bounded to what is necessary to bear public witness to Christ, to remember the formation of Gentile assemblies, and to guide faithful life without exceeding the authority that was given.		The Church of Humans therefore refuses the expansion of canon as a means of expanding control. Its canon is bounded to what is necessary to bear public witness to Christ, to remember the formation of Gentile assemblies, and to guide faithful life without exceeding the authority that was given.

	This limitation is not a rejection of Scripture, but an act of fidelity. By refusing to bind where no authority exists, the church preserves both the integrity of the texts it receives and the freedom of the people who read them.		No text is received as canon if its dominant mode of argument depends upon extraordinary apostolic coercion—claims of authority that override or foreclose ordinary communal discernment—rather than persuasion, witness, and shared recognition within covenantal life. This limitation is not a rejection of Scripture, but an act of fidelity. By refusing to bind where no authority exists, the church preserves both the integrity of the texts it receives and the freedom of the people who read them.

	=== The Witness Received ===		=== The Witness Received ===

Origin: /* Letters */ update to match Canon

2026-02-04T16:35:53Z

Letters: update to match Canon

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:35, 4 February 2026
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	* 1 Corinthians		* 1 Corinthians
	* 2 Corinthians		* 2 Corinthians
			* Philippians
	* 1 Thessalonians		* 1 Thessalonians
	* Philippians
	* Philemon

	These writings are read for guidance in faithful practice and restraint of authority. The ~~collection concludes with Philemon~~, ~~which leaves the community entrusted with responsibility rather than resolved by command~~.		These writings are read for guidance in faithful practice and restraint of authority. The letters received here address encouragement, suffering, conscience, and hope within Gentile communities, without extending into mediation of social relations or household discipline.

	In receiving these texts, the Church of Humans does not claim completeness, universality, or finality. It claims only sufficiency for faithful life among the nations within the authority that was given.		In receiving these texts, the Church of Humans does not claim completeness, universality, or finality. It claims only sufficiency for faithful life among the nations within the authority that was given.

Origin: /* Why the Canon Is Bounded */ add link

2026-02-02T18:40:07Z

Why the Canon Is Bounded: add link

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:40, 2 February 2026
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	Canon is bounded because authority is bounded. Authority does not expand by accumulation, repetition, or historical layering. It is given, not inferred.		Canon is bounded because authority is bounded. Authority does not expand by accumulation, repetition, or historical layering. It is given, not inferred.

	The growth of sacred literature across time reflects the life, struggle, and reflection of communities, but such growth does not imply the growth of jurisdiction. A larger collection of writings does not confer a larger mandate to command. Expansion of memory is not expansion of authority.		The growth of sacred literature across time reflects the life, struggle, and reflection of communities, but such growth does not imply the growth of [[jurisdiction]]. A larger collection of writings does not confer a larger mandate to command. Expansion of memory is not expansion of authority.

	For Gentile Christians in particular, this distinction is essential. The apostles did not grant the nations the authority of Israel’s Law, nor did they authorize the creation of new systems of binding command. Gentile life in Christ was shaped by witness, conscience, and mutual responsibility, not by legal extension.		For Gentile Christians in particular, this distinction is essential. The apostles did not grant the nations the authority of Israel’s Law, nor did they authorize the creation of new systems of binding command. Gentile life in Christ was shaped by witness, conscience, and mutual responsibility, not by legal extension.

Origin: /* What Canon Is */ links

2026-02-02T18:38:10Z

What Canon Is: links

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:38, 2 February 2026
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	Canon does not name a collection of inspired writings, nor does it designate a closed library of sacred texts. Canon names the scope of authority a text is granted within a particular community.		Canon does not name a collection of inspired writings, nor does it designate a closed library of sacred texts. Canon names the scope of authority a text is granted within a particular community.

	A text may be revered, studied, remembered, and treasured without being granted binding authority. Authority is not a property inherent in writing itself; it is a relationship between a community, a covenant, and the limits of what has been given to command.		A text may be revered, studied, remembered, and treasured without being granted binding authority. Authority is not a property inherent in writing itself; it is a relationship between a community, a [[covenant]], and the limits of what has been given to command.

	For this reason, canon is always bounded. It arises where authority is recognized and ends where authority is not granted. Inclusion of a text does not enlarge obligation, and reverence does not imply jurisdiction.		For this reason, canon is always bounded. It arises where authority is recognized and ends where authority is not granted. Inclusion of a text does not enlarge obligation, and reverence does not imply [[jurisdiction]].

	Within the Church of Humans, Scripture is received as witness rather than statute. Texts testify to God’s action, to Christ’s life, and to the faith of earlier communities. They do not legislate conduct beyond the [[New Covenant\|covenant]] freely undertaken within this church.		Within the Church of Humans, Scripture is received as witness rather than statute. Texts testify to God’s action, to Christ’s life, and to the faith of earlier communities. They do not legislate conduct beyond the [[New Covenant\|covenant]] freely undertaken within this church.