A book review

Dear readers...part of our assignment is to write book reviews for each of the 6 books we've been assigned to read. Be forewarned that reading this will likely induce fatigue to the average reader. However, by posting it on my blog, I can avoid using a piece of paper or 2. Just trying to practice ecological stewardship - you know me! Every little bit helps. Thank you for your understanding.

An Introduction to Ecclesiology by Veli-Mati Karkkainen
A book review

The book begins by looking at the foundational theology of the Roman Catholic Church, by far the largest Christian body. The traditions of the Roman Catholic Church focus on sacraments – baptism, confirmation and the Eucharist. It is believed that these sacraments build communion amongst the body of believers within the church. Another defining feature is the predominance of the Pope.

Lutheran theology, under the guidance of Martin Luther, focused on the noninstitutional character of the church, in part in a reaction against the hierarchical system of the Catholic church. The core elements for Luther were the Word and the sacraments. He believed in the priesthood of ALL believers because Christ has interceded for us and made irrelevant the role of the priest. As such, we are to be Christ to our neighbor, sharing the pain and burdens of those people as Christ graciously does for each of us.

The Reformed Movement, under Calvin, aligned with Luther’s principles of teaching the Word and administering sacraments; however, he went on to emphasize behavior and doctrine; Zwingli, another theologian of that time, focused on personal faith. A distinction is drawn between the visible and invisible church: the visible church is the tangible, physical body of believers in the present here on earth; the invisible is the elect who will dwell with God after the final coming. Therefore, these are not 2 distinct churches, but rather 2 phases of the same. Karl Barth stressed the giftedness of all believers; not simply a select few.

“Free church movement” describes the Anabaptists, who birthed a new theology melding reliance on the Holy Spirit with scripture. This movement got rid of much of the formality of worship and sacraments, stressing the believer’s baptism rather than infant baptism, and allowing the Spirit to guide in an unregimented way. There is a focus on simplicity and staying unattached from worldly ideals. Following the priesthood of all believers, the free church practices ordination, though not as a sacrament, just as a public confirmation.

Pentecostal/Charismatic Ecclesiology was birthed in Kansas and then in this neighborhood, in LA in the early 20th century. This was more of a revival movement rather than a radical new theology. Highlighted in this era were the manifestations of the Spirit through prophecy, speaking in tongues, and healing. The emphasis here was on experiencing the presence of God. Charismatic churches tend to focus on community life more so than the Pentecostals.

Ecumenical Movement is all about bringing unity to the church, or all who believe in Christ. However, it is a great challenge to bring all people in accordance when there are very distinctive features that set each ecclesiology apart. Two major divides that came up were seeing the sacramental practices as essential (Orthodox, Catholic) and what defines unity…some said personal faith and others believed church and tradition unified all believers.

Famous Ecclesiologists:
Zizioulas: “God’s being coincides with God’s communal personhood…Church is instituted by Christ and constituted by the Holy Spirit.”
Hans Kung: charismatic; “changing times require changing forms.” Disagrees with distinction between visible and invisible church, saying they transcend time. Spirit of God is the principle of freedom.” It removes social barriers. Emphasis on service.
Pannenberg: universalist ecclesiology; the church is the bearer of the Spirit of God and God’s grace, so a faith commitment cannot be made outside of the church. However, church is not the sacrament of unity…”he believes the church is an anticipation and sign of unity of all people under one God.” It is the body of Christ and the fellowship of believers. There is universal relevance of God’s reconciliation in Christ, so the church serves as a missionary. He holds a corporal eschatology, emphasizing justice for all people; also he holds unique ecclesiology of the corporal concept of the elect.
Moltmann: holds a relational ecclesiology and stresses an ecological concern.
Volf: Corporal participation in God’s mission. He calls it “participatory ecclesiology.”
McClendon, Jr.: Baptist; leadership is a gift from Christ and does not require ordination.
Newbigin: church is dynamic, ecumenical and missionary, not a task given to the church. Church must be visible.

Contextual Ecclesiologies
Asia: Rejection of the institutional church in favor of personal faith acted out in obedience. Church must act as a prophet against social injustice.
Latin America: Christian love demands need for justice. Churches birthed in reaction to lack of community, spurred by the rigid nature of Roman Catholicism.
Feminist: Focus against masculine imagery of God the Father, Son. Against this imagery. Also, emphasis is made about caring for the earth, due to feminine association – Mother Earth?
Africa – independent, indigenous movements with focus on spoken communication, stories; emphasize communal living and the work of the Spirit.
Shepherding movement – in following the example of Christ, having a primary leader who guides the flock, reviving Biblical role of pastor. Initially, it sounded like the model of forming small groups with an individual leader within each group. This model is weak in accountability.