Apostolic & prophetic
Subtitle: ecclesiological perspectives
By: Gesa Elsbeth Thiessen
Publisher: Cascade Books
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Eugene, Or
Language: eng
Number of pages: 192
ISBN-13: 9781608998135
Subjects: Apostolicity; History of doctrines; Church
Other titles: Apostolic and prophetic
Description: Apostolic and Prophetic promotes a vision of the church as apostolic, ecumenical, and radical. It explores the meaning of each of these ecclesial marks and their intrinsic connections. The volume thus draws a wide span between the apostolic past (tradition) and a radical perspective on the present and future ecumenical church.  The book considers the concept of apostolicity emerging in patristic theology, and it examines this concept as it has been developed in some select Lutheran, Roman Catholic, and Anglican ecumenical documents. Unresolved ecumenical questions concerning ecumenical method and church ministry are frankly discussed, including critical observations on ecumenical praxis. The modern notion of churches as denominations is examined in detail, especially in the Lutheran context. The author also offers a critical assessment of an important ecumenical event, the annual Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The notion of a radical church -- aware of its roots and prophetically committed to faith in the kingdom of God seeking freedom and justice -- is explored through an extensive analysis and discussion of the work of Dorothee Sölle and Terry Eagleton, two seminal thinkers of our time.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 177-184) and index.
Table of contents: title: pt. 1. Apostolicity : Past, Present, Future. Ad fontes : apostolicity in the early church; title: Apostolicity in select ecumenical documents of the Anglican, Lutheran, and Roman Catholic churches; title: Looking ahead : possibilities and challenges in ecclesiology and ecumenical dialogue; title: pt. 2. Unity, diversity, and ecumenical praxis. Denominations : churches in (post) modernity : the Lutheran Church (a case study); title: Ecumenism in praxis : critical observations on the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; title: pt. 3. Towards a radical church. A theology of liberation : Dorothee Sölle; title: A new left church? : Terry Eagleton; title: Conclusion: Towards an apostolic, ecumenical, radical and prophetic church.