How would you describe the difference between the priesthood of believers and individualism? I believe that you can champion the first without endorsing the second, but I do see how some would make the two equal. I think this is very relevant in our day and age with wanting to come out of 'spiritual covering' atmospheres but not want to embrace the mindset of our modern world in being free to do what ever they want ie. bow to the tyranny of themselves.
Okay, then, two weeks later, no answers to my questions and only one answer to your OP, so I'm going to plow in with my opinions.
You asked if the priesthood of all believers equates to individualism. I was curious about what each of these terms means to you, but I'll assume my own definitions to form my opinions.
The priesthood of all believers means, to me at least, that each Christian can come before God with boldness. (
Ephesians 3:12 Hebrews 4:16) We have one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus. (
1 Timothy 2:5) There is no "priestly caste," and so we are all called to represent God to the world and to pray for people as intercessors. In addition, in my tradition, we are free to administer the ordinances of baptism and communion, if so led.
Can this boldness and responsibility lead to individualism? Yeah, I think it could, if someone is inclined to be self-centered. I'm considering
individualism to be that turning into one's own life and leading a 'lone-ranger' style of Christian life — where all that's needed is my Bible and inspiration from the Holy Spirit, and I'll be just fine, thanks. They would be wrong, however, because Paul spoke about the body needing each part (
1 Corinthians 12:19-22) and Jesus talked about servanthood (
John 13: 12-15) and called loving your neighbor the second great commandment (
Mark 12:31) How can we fulfill these great scriptures without being involved in a community of believers? Individualism (when defined as I defined it) is a corruption of the doctrine of the priesthood of believers. We, as priests, serve each other. After all, when Paul lists what is called the five-fold ministry in
Ephesians 4:11, he says they were given for the edification of the body of Christ. We need each other to be built up.
You, 21centpilgrim, referenced "'spiritual covering' atmospheres." You called this something that people want to come out from. I asked about these atmospheres because I have no experience there. I researched a bit, however. What I discovered is that in the 1970s a doctrine was formed that requires individual Christians to be submitted and accountable to a leader. Apparently this resulted in bizarre, abusive relationships where every decision, from major to minor ones, had to be approved by the person in authority over you. This created a pyramid type of organization with those at the top being seen as in a class closer to God - the very situation in the Roman Catholic church that the term
priesthood of all believers, and the doctrine it labels was refined to address.
When a believer veers wildly from one corrupt doctrine to an equally corrupt, yet opposite, position, this, to me, is an indication of spiritual immaturity which, I believe, is remedied through study and participation in life together with other believers who exhort, edify, and encourage each other.