Last night we continued in our study of the book of Joshua and read the story in which Achan took some of the "devoted things" and brought God's judgment on the nation at Ai.  We spent some time dealing with the fact that the whole nation and then Achan's family were punished for his sin.  We saw that this counting of one member's sin against the whole group is called "corporate solidarity" by many theologians.  The whole group is, in some way, guilty of the sin of the one member.

What I also said, and would like to modify, is that between the Old and New Covenants the boundaries of corporate solidarity have shifted.  So, we are no longer reckoned as being covenantally joined, and therefore in corporate solidarity, with our physical families.  It is no longer based upon birth.  Under the New Covenant we are either in corporate solidarity with Adam or with Christ.

As I left the sanctuary Sunday night, though, a thought occurred to me.  Saying that the boundaries have "shifted" between the Old and New Covenant like this makes it sound as if I am saying that people under the Old Covenant were not reckoned as "in Adam" or "in Christ."  I don't want to say that.  In every period of human history, under every dispensation of God, all people are counted as joined to Adam or joined to Christ.  In light of that, it may have been better for me to say that under the New Covenant God no longer establishes corporate solidarity on the basis of physical lineage but he maintains the covenant relationships that we share with Adam and Christ.  Adam has always been the head of all fallen humanity.  Christ has always been the head of all of redeemed humanity.

I hope this clarifies rather than confuses.