Congregational Vitality - A Perspective from Galatians

Against the background of the Anglican self-understanding, a basis arose here for describing the church by four elements drawn from an ideal picture of the "undivided" churòh of the first few centuries. These were to be transferred to the united church which was the goal.6

2016

The author has prepared an evangelical response to The Church: Towards a Common Vision based on classroom discussions at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit in Leuven, Belgium, and with the kind cooperation of colleagues. The respondents have no authority to speak for an ecclesial family. In fact, they do not even share a denominational allegiance. They can, however, offer a multilayered appreciation from within the diverse evangelical movement, which is characterized by a shared spirituality. After general remarks, Faith and Order's second convergence document is discussed from conversionist, restorationist and revivalist perspectives. While opinions on the document diverge, there is a general appreciation for the work of Faith and Order. It is explained how the document challenges the evangelical movement to critical self-reflection. Particular theological emphases of the evangelical movement that can contribute to the developing ecumenical ecclesiology are suggested as well.

Anaphora, 2012

Missiology: An International Review

This article engages the theme of the 2017 meeting of the American Society of Missiology: “Missiology’s Dialogue Partners: Practitioners and Scholars Conversing about the Future of Mission.” It seeks to contribute to that conversation by providing a survey of the discipline of ecclesiology with an eye towards how it might learn from the field of mission and how it might inform it. This exploration begins by defining some of the goals, methods, and boundaries of the field of ecclesiology. It then considers three critical issues at the forefront of ecclesiological work today: 1) questions emanating from the ecumenical sphere; 2) shifting demographics within Christianity and corresponding calls for new ecclesial structures, and 3) the necessity of a more robust engagement between ecclesiology and the social sciences. The concluding section offers some reflections about how the current state of ecclesiology might provide glimpses of the future of ecclesiology and what light it might shi...

Religious Studies Review, 2007

holding the Word and Eucharist in equal tension and possessing a structure of worship that not only challenges but also elicits a response from its members as to who they are called to be in Christ. A service order determined by fads and a desire to be relevant to contemporary society shapes the church and its members in the image of the world and not of Christ-a trend that "spells doom for [the church] and for the world."

Neotestamentica, 2001

The article explores moral challenges and opportunities facing South African churches at the beginning of a new century. It sets out by briefly describing major hermeneutic and societal shifts during the past decades. Numerous structural changes have been accomplished in the South African society, particularly since 1994. However, these have not always been accompanied by attitudinal and behavioural changes, even among Christians. On the level of a collective consciousness the scars of a deeply divided society prevail. Secondly, some implications of these shifts are investigated - for South African churches in general, and religious education and (Reformed) theological training in particular. Serious and complex issues facing these institutions are described as essentially ligtheologicall/ig in nature. Thirdly, as counterfoil to the present so-called "moral crisis" in South Africa, the article investigates aspects of the New Testament's "rhetoric of theological vi...

Secularization in the Netherlands has been a two-stage process. The differentiation of society (starting around 1800) diminished the influence of the large national church. However, in this first stage numerous new denominations emerged that could adapt perfectly to this new situation. This resulted in a pluralistic, predominantly vital ecclesial landscape. In the 1960s a new stage of secularization started: individualization or subjectivization. This affected all the churches, and caused massive decline of institutional religiosity. Within this context discussions about missional ecclesiology must be located. All churches have to reflect on their position within a largely individualized society. This reflection takes place, first, on the basis of ecclesiological discussions in the previous decades, and second, with the help of three axes: private vs. public, consumption vs. sacrament, and community vs. institute.

Church, World and the Christian Life This book argues that modern ecclesiology exhibits two unfortunate tendencies: it describes the church in ideal terms, rather than directly addressing the problems of its everyday, sinful activity; and it undermines the distinctiveness of the church and its way of life. The book analyzes the impact of pluralism and inclusivism upon ecclesiology, and draws upon von Balthasar's theodramatic theory, MacIntyre's theory of traditional inquiry, postmodern critiques of humanism, and postmodern ethnography to develop a more flexible and concrete ecclesiology that can better address the practical and pastoral needs of the church. This alternative ecclesiology strongly affirms the need for the church to debate with those who challenge its claims and their embodiment, both from within and externally. The book concludes by discussing how the church may construct its own theological forms of historical, sociological and ethnographic analysis of both the church and society.

Abuja Journal of Philosophy and Theology (APT), 2022

Pope Francis officially opened the extraordinary Synod on Synodality on October 9, 2021, with the theme “For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation and Mission.” He prayed that the Church might be inspired by the Holy Spirit and not become a museum Church, relishing only its past. This Synod, unlike others, invites not only Bishops but clergy and laity alike to participate and journey together in rejuvenating and revitalizing the Church through faith in God’s Holy Spirit. This work exegetically examines Paul’s exhortation in Gal 6:1-10 that encourages the need for members to participate actively in the Church’s life. Since they are all “brothers” and “children of God”, they are to participate in the work of salvation, assisting everyone, especially members of the “household of faith”, with good things. Therefore, the work emphasizes the importance of faith in the synodal process of the Church. It also highlights the unity of humanity as a family, the need to be attentive to others, the necessity for regular self-examination, and the need to cooperate with God and fellowship with His messengers. This would contribute to the synodal invitation to journey together, to experience a Church enriched with the gift of faith, unity, and openness to the voice of the Spirit.