Phronesis

feel.

like-minded.

attitude.

a view of things.

mind.

concern.

All of these words/phrases have something very interesting in common. Not only are they all found in the book of Philippians, but they're all a different translation of the same Greek root, Phronesis. Here they are in context: (phronesis in italics and if you're not in for a sermon-length blog post, now's you're time to bail)

"It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart, for whether I am in chains or defending the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me." 1:7

""... make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose." 2:2

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus..." 2:5

"All of us who are mature, should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you." 3:15

"I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me." 4:10

I find it amazing that, as far as I can tell, of all the times this word appears in Philippians (and there are several more I haven't cited), it's never translated in the same way. Clearly, this is a word that is way bigger than the English language can faithfully represent in one word, or even one phrase. Another thing that is overwhelmingly clear is how important Paul regarded the idea of phronesis, how central it was to the gospel he preached. Before I get into what I think Paul's getting at, let's refer to our dear friend Wikipedia to see what it thinks of phronesis. We find that the word is deeply established, as in going back to classical philosophy.

"Phronesis is the capability to consider the mode of action in order to deliver change, especially to enhance the quality of life. Aristotle says that phronesis is not simply a skill, however, as it involves not only the ability to decide how to achieve a certain end, but also the ability to reflect upon and determine that end."

The phrase that stands out to me in this explanation that seems to fit well with the scriptures is mode of action. So it seems to me that for Aristotle, phronesis is both the wisdom to know what is good, as well as the skills and habits needed make good happen. I think Paul not only gets this, but takes it to all kinds of new levels. In just the aforementioned instances of the word, phronesis is a feeling, a special kind of unity, a world-view, an attitude, concern for one another, a mode of action, all with one focus: Jesus. I've heard one pastor sum all these up nicely saying that phronesis is the collective Christ Pattern. This goes so far beyond "What Would Jesus Do?". . .

It's thinking like Christ.
Feeling like Christ.
And Acting like Christ.

From here, the true meaning of phronesis just snowballs out of control into this huge but beautiful thing I can't begin to grasp. My understanding of this seems so small to me but here's two things I notice about it.

1. Phronesis is not something you do alone. Just look at these passages, or better yet, read the whole book of Philippians, Paul is always adressing or talking about a group of people. We call this the church. Phronesis doesn't occur when one person succeeds in being Christ-like for a moment but when the church is united, together in pursuit in being Christ to one another. In chapter 4 Paul addresses two women who, evidently, had some kind of conflict between them.

"I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord." v. 2

The phrase agree with each other, you guessed it: Phronesis. I don't think Paul is saying "Christians shouldn't have disagreements." I think he's saying something like "In Christ, you have so much you already agree on, so don't let something come between you and purpose for which God calls you." Paul tells the Romans in Chapter 5,

"Live in harmony with one another." v. 5

Again, phronesis, and again, it's church-wide. It's about dying to yourself for the sake of the phronesis of Christ's church, which brings me to the next point.

2. Phronesis has an end. (or a grander purpose, or an aim, or whatever you want to call it) I think Paul clearly defines this purpose in 2:14-16, saying

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life..."

These words echo back to Sinai where God makes a covenant with Moses and tells him that if he keeps it fully, Israel will be a "kingdom of priests and a holy nation." In all the complexity of all that phronesis is, it's purpose is really quite simple. Be like Christ so you can be Christ to the world. I love that fact that even though Jesus changes everything, our role and purpose in life is the same, to be agents of the Kingdom of God. Only now, we can actually do it. No more excuses. Israel never came close to keeping that covenant, but Jesus fulfills it fully. This is why Jesus can say absurd things like "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matt. 5:48) He's telling us to just be who we already are, a Kingdom of priests, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars...

If we can just accept and remember who we already are in Christ, well then, something is bound to happen and it's called the Kingdom of God and it's called phronesis.

This is just a taste of what this word means to me and all of us as a church. I could go on and on and I've only just begun to understand. But that's what this blog is about. How do we do this together?

How do we have such a view of things?