Systematic and Historical Theology Ecclesiology Polity Systematic Historical

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Systematic and Historical, Theology, Ecclesiology, Polity

Systematic and Historical, Theology, Ecclesiology, Polity

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Introduction • The fundamental issue is one of authority. •

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Introduction • The fundamental issue is one of authority. • An increasingly educated & sophisticated congregation. • Churches in societies with strong democratic traditions, or the lack thereof. • The complex issues with which the Church must deal. • The increasing, critical scrutiny by the world. • The exegetical problem is particularly complex. • There are no specific descriptions of Church structure in Scripture. • Careful attention must be paid to narrative as well as didactic passages. • An awareness of development must be kept as the church increases in size, Biblical understanding, complexity, and social contexts.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Structure • That there is a political structure in the

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Structure • That there is a political structure in the Church: • Implicit in the head of the Church, God. • OT heritage: Moses' father-in-law Exod 18: 13 -26; Sacrificial system, places of worship, modes of worship, priesthood, kingship. • Mission: "Go ye therefore, " Matt 28: 19. • Order: 1 Cor 14: 26 -40. • Uniform customs: 1 Cor 11: 16. • “Disciple" mathatas eg: Acts 1: 15. • Qualifications for membership: Matt 28: 19. • Common organized effort: Philemon 2: 30. • Analogy of the body: 1 Cor 12: 12; Eph 4: 16. • Varied levels of meetings: Gal 1: 2; Rom 16: 5; Acts 15; 21; Gal 1: 18 -2. • Designations of roles: 1 Cor 12; 1 Cor 14: 26; Eph 4: 11 -12. • Authority of ministers: 1 Pet 5: 2. • Authority of churches: Matt 18: 17. • Formal officers: Acts 20: 17 -28. • Elections: Acts 1: 23 -26; 6: 5 -6. • The giving of orders: 1 Cor 16: 1 -2. • Regular meetings: Acts 20. 7; Heb 10. 25.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Structure • Ordinances and rites: Acts 2: 41; 1 Cor

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Structure • Ordinances and rites: Acts 2: 41; 1 Cor 11: 23 -26. • Financial contributions: Rom 15: 26; 1 Cor 16: 1 -2. • Registers of widows: Acts 6: 1; 1 Tim 5: 9 &. Acts 24: 17; Rom 15: 25 -8; 2 Cor 8: 1 -9; 9: 6 -7. • Discipline: Matt 18: 15 -20; 1 Cor 5 & 2 Cor 2: 6; Rom 16: 17 cf 2 Thess 3: 6 -15; 3 John 9 -10. • Letters of commendation: Acts 18: 24 -8; 2 Cor 3: 1 & Acts 15: 22 -9; Rom 16: 1 -2. • Creedal formulations: Rom 10: 9; 1 Cor 12: 3; 1 Tim 3: 16; Phil 2: 6 -11. • Regulated relations with external agencies: Matt 22: 21 // Mark 12: 17 // Luke 20: 25; 1 Tim 2: 2. • The guarding of tradition: 1 Cor 11: 23 -26; 2 Tim 2: 2. • Examples of exercising ecclesiastical authority: Acts 6: 1 -6; 11: 22; 11. 30: 13. 1 -3; Jas 5: 14.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #1 Rejection of government. • Typified by the

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #1 Rejection of government. • Typified by the Quakers, Darbyites, etc. (Darby is not fully in this camp. ) Often in reaction to the sterility of the established church. • Characteristics, Government: Degenerates the church. Inhibits the Spirit. Emphasizes people over God. Emphasizes institutions over gifts. Replaces divine presence with human knowledge. Not only unnecessary but sinful. Public meetings ought follow the Spirit. • Critique. Inconsistent with the testimony of Scripture which describes an organization. An unrestrained mysticism often results. Lack of education weakens doctrine.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #2 The Erastian system. • After Thomas Erastus

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #2 The Erastian system. • After Thomas Erastus (1524 -1583), Swiss Zwinglian phisician. A great influence on Hooker in England. Found to a greater or lesser extent in the State religions of England, Scotland, and Germany. • Characteristics: The state is the seat of religion. Ecclesiastical officials are only instructors or preachers, the state holds the real power. Argued for discipline to be a secular matter. Civil authorities were held to have all authority in a uni-religious state. Only they could execute penalties. • Critique: Undermines the head-ship of Jesus Christ. Contradictory to some of the lessons of the OT with respect to the relationship of the monarchy and priesthood. Fails to appreciate the distinction between church and state and their respective spheres as outlined in Scripture: The founding of the monarchy in Israel: 1 Sam 8. Render unto Caesar, Matt 22. 21 // Mark 12. 17 // Luke 20. 25. On rulers, Rom 13. 1 -10. Pray for kings, 1 Tim 1 -3.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #3 The Episcopalian system. • Classically the Anglican

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #3 The Episcopalian system. • Classically the Anglican church of England. Denys the "priesthood of all believers, “ hence not theologically not part of the Reformation • Characteristics: "Christ, as the Head of the Church, has entrusted the government of the Church directly and exclusively to an order of prelates or bishops, as the successors of the apostles; and that He has constituted these bishops, a separate, independent, and selfperpetuating order" (Berkhof 579). 3 orders of ministers: bishops, priests, deacons; with various sublevels. The bishop is God's authority. Which is passed by the laying on of hands. • Biblical support: Commissioning of the Apostles, Matt 28: 18. Sending them forth, Matt 28: 19 -20; Acts 1: 8. Their authority: Acts 14: 23; 2, 17, 28; Titus 1: 5. James as the head of the Jerusalem Church. Apostolic succession. • Critique: Believers is not part of the government. No clear Biblical data. Emphasis is on office, person, contrary to 1 Cor 11: 13; Gal 1: 8 -9.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #4 Roman Catholic system. • The ultimate &

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #4 Roman Catholic system. • The ultimate & gradual development of the Episcopal system. • Characteristics. : Great emphasis on apostolic succession & Peter as Pope: an infallible ruler. Infallibility is only when the pope speaks ex cathedra "from the chair. “ Doctrine formally stated at Vatican Council I (1869 -70). • The formulation: Christ established an office of "vicar. " The Pope is the "Vicar of Christ" on earth. The Pope's pronouncements are infallible with respect to faith and morals. The support: "Thou art Peter. . . , " Matt 16. 18, is the basis for the office of vicar. Peter was bishop of Rome and hence, through apostolic succession, bestowed his office on the bishops who follow. Consequently, the Roman bishop must be infallible. • Selection. He is chosen by the College of Cardinals. He & his successors have chosen the cardinals. The Eastern Church holds that the general councils of the church were infallible. • Note items under the Episcopal system.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #5 Congregational or Independency system: • From 16

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #5 Congregational or Independency system: • From 16 th England & the "Separatist" & "Independency" movements, back to persecutions in the 1510's. • Characteristics. The "gathered" church in a covenant from God with His people. Each is independent & regulated by its members. Officers are only functional. There councils, conferences, etc. but not binding. Elder, bishop, pastor are the same. • Basis: Congregational involvement with deacons in Acts 6. "Appointed" Acts 14. 23. Discipline Matt 18: 17 -8; 1 Cor 5: 13; 2 Cor 2: 6; 2 Thess 3. 6, 14 -15. The body & officers decide Acts 15. 22. Delegates Acts 15: 4; 18: 27. Emissaries 2 Cor 8: 19. Missionaries Acts 13: 3 -4; 14: 26. The priesthood of all believers. • Critique: Councils have binding authority Acts 15; 21. Appointment of elders from above Acts 14: 23; Titus 1: 5. Paul's authority in dealing with churches. Groupings of churches mentioned in Scripture: Gal 1: 1 -2. Authority of Bishops & Elders in the NT. Letters of Rev 2 -3.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #6 National-Church or Collegial system. • Introduced in

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #6 National-Church or Collegial system. • Introduced in Germany and later the Netherlands by CM Pfaff (16861780). • Characteristics: "The church is a voluntary association equal to the state" (Berkhof, 581). Separate churches or congregations are parts of the national system. The power comes from the national organization from which the local structures derive their authority. • Critique: Little Biblical warrant. The power of the state is very strong. • The local church has very limited authority. Often, individual believers are closed out of decision making.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #7 The Presbyterian system. • Associated with the

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Formulations • #7 The Presbyterian system. • Associated with the Reformed tradition. • Characteristics. : Principles if not details are claimed to be based in Scripture. Christ is the head. Power resides in the whole church, with special portion is given to the leaders & representative forums. Officers are elected from below. Structural elements : pastors or "teaching elders, " elders or ruling elders, and deacons. (Elder & bishop the same. ) 4 "courts" or assemblies: Session (Pres) or consistory (Ref) in the local church. Presbytery (Pres) or classis (Ref) of churches in an area, represented by: 1 lay elder & all clergy (Pres) or 1 lay elder & 1 pastor from each session (Ref). Synod: an equal number of clergy & lay elders from each presbytery or classis. General Assembly: members are chosen by the presbyteries (Pres only). Higher bodies would have the power of review. • Biblical support is found in the counciliar aspects of Scripture, esp Acts 15; and the ordination of Timothy, 1 Tim 4: 14. • Critique: The primary critique of the Presbyterian from of government centers around an over-great centralization of authority.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: History • Hebrew terms. • Zaqanim, "elders, " derived from

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: History • Hebrew terms. • Zaqanim, "elders, " derived from the term for "old one. " • “Elders of Israel" occurs even before the people leave Egypt Exod 3. 16, 18; 12. 21; 18. 12; 24. 1; etc. • Shophetim, “judges. ” • Shoterim, "officials. “ • Moses through Conquest • Eldership assumed in the Pentateuch. They accompany Moses, stand in judgment, supervise rituals & Levirate marriage, etc: Exod 3: 16, 18; 4: 29; 12: 21; 18: 12; Exod 19: 7; Num 16. 25; Deut 19: 11 -13; 21: 1 -9, 18 -21; 22: 13 -21; 25: 5 -10 (cf Ruth 2: 20; 3: 2, 9 -13; 4: 1 -11; Matt 22: 23 -33); Jos 7: 6; & 70 elders Num 11. • Judges: Deut 1. 15 -16; 16. 18; 20. 5 -8; 25. 2. • Judges through Monarchy. • Elders are local rulers in & around Israel: Judg 8: 14; 9: 2; 11: 3 -11; 1 Sam 11: 5 -10; 16: 4; 30: 26 -31; etc. • There seem to have been elders and leading men who met for council-like decisions: Judg 11: 5; 1 Sam 30: 26; 2 Sam 19: 12.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: History • Exilic and Post-Exilic. • A distinction between the

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: History • Exilic and Post-Exilic. • A distinction between the "elders of the land"Jer 16: 27 & the "elders of Jerusalem" Ezek 8: 11 -12. • The Exilic community is headed by elders Jer 29: 1; Ezek 8: 1; 14: 1; 20: 1, 3. • Elders may have increased in import as tribal identities were damaged in the Exile. • Zaqan (a concept that appears closely connected with the tribe) is replaced by terms like heads of families, rulers, captains, etc. • City elders remain prominent Neh 2: 16; 4: 8, 13; 5: 7; 7: 5; Ezra 10: 7 -17.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: History • Hellenistic Period. • Supreme ruling body: "Council of

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: History • Hellenistic Period. • Supreme ruling body: "Council of Elders" or Sanhedrin, at Jerusalem is known from c 200 bce, though it may be traced back to the Persian period (Josephus Antiquities 12, 138 -144). • The Mishna tractate on this topic: • Greater Sanhedrin of 71 based on Num 11 (70 + Moses). • Lesser Sanhedrin of 23 (the number is based on complex exegesis: A congregation equals 10 based on the 12 spies minus 2 Num 14: 27. 1 congregation judges & another delivers Num 35: 24 -25. 3 are added by inference Num 14: 27. • They had great power: over murderers, false prophets, the setting up of courts, etc. • There were: arxiereis chief priests, grammateis scribes, perhaps more properly lawyer-scholars, & presbuteroi elders (Greek terms). • Elders appear to be leaders of wealthy, aristocratic families • Note: Matt 16. 21; 21. 23; 26. 3; 27. 1, 3, 12, 20, 41; 28. 11; Mark 8. 31; 11. 27; 14. 43, 53; 15. 1; Luke 7. 3; 9. 22; 19. 47; 20. 1; 22. 52; Acts 4. 5, 8, 23; 6. 12; 23. 14; 24. 1; 25. 15; Josephus, Vit 9, Bell 2. 410 -11.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Terms • Elder. • Scribe probably of highest regard for

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Terms • Elder. • Scribe probably of highest regard for learned, experienced scholars. • A term for members of local synagogues / assemblies: • These elders had some sort of teaching gift Qidd 32 b Talmud. • Local boards usually numbered 7. • Synagogue rulers were probably elected from among the elders Mark 5: 35 -36, 38 Luke 8: 41, 49 13: 14 Acts 18: 8, 17 • Many synagogues had single rulers elected for 1 year to life: Archisynagogos, head of the synagogue. • Used of distinguished men of position 1 Macc 1: 26; 3 Macc 1: 8, 23. • Of aged men 1 Macc 14: 9; 2 Macc 5: 13; 8: 30. • Apparently elders were appointed judges Sus 5: 29, 34 [Theta, LXX]. • Ptolemy asked high priest Eleazer to appoint 70 elders to translate the LXX. • In Qumran they were subordinate to the priest IQS VI. 9. • Deacon? • The office of hazzan (Heb) or uperetes (Grk), minister, servant, officer, etc. • There may be a connection between this and the Christian office of deacon.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Leadership Elements • Christ: Head of the Church. • Apostle:

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Leadership Elements • Christ: Head of the Church. • Apostle: “Sent one” to or from. Early on, one who had been with / seen Jesus. Later a leader of great import. • Councils: Acts 9: 26 -31; 11: 1 -18; 15: 1 -31; 21: 18 -26. • Deacon: diakonos: minister / servant. A generic term not in Acts 6! • Acts 6: 7 selected for practical ministry. 7 is perhaps spiritual as well as practical cf Acts 1: 15 -26. By the 3 rd – 5 th c, the Church at Rome had 46 elders but only 7 deacons staying true to Acts. Greek Council of Neocaesarea early 4 th c held a city must be limited to 7 deacons leading to the office of "subdeacon“! Archdeacon arose in the medieval period. In today’s Anglican Church it is assigned by a bishop. • No evidence of term limit. • Selection: Congregation election & Apostolic approval in Acts 6.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Leadership Elements • Elder presbuteros (old one) & Bishop or

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Leadership Elements • Elder presbuteros (old one) & Bishop or Overseer episkopos (over + seer) discussed together. • See: Acts 20. 17, 28; 1 Tim 5. 17; Titus 1. 5 -9; 1 Pet 5. 1 -4. • Qualifications: 1 Tim 3. 1 -7; Titus 1. 5 -9; 1 Pet 5. 1 -4; etc. • In the plural when referring to specific churches where they never appear together 1 Tim 3: 2; Tit 1: 7 episkopos in a generic sense. • Acts 20: 17, 28 both terms used interchangeably. • Greetings are sent to the Bishops & Deacons Phil 1: 1 never Elders & Deacons. • Qualifications for bishops in 1 Tim 3. 2 -5 & elders in Tit 1. 5 -6 are very similar. • In Titus they seem interchangeable. • Similar functions 1 Tim 3: 2 -5 cf 5: 17. • Elder & bishops are shepherds: Acts 20: 17, 28; 1 Pet 1: 1 -4. • Schaff: Elder used in the Jewish but bishop in Gentile Churches. Perhaps Jewish elders were qualified by their background while cultural “elders” in gentile communities were not, hence a the additional term of bishop was introduced (BRM). • “Elders who rule” 1 Tim 5: 17.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Leadership Elements • Evangelist: 1 Cor 15: 1 -7; Rom

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Leadership Elements • Evangelist: 1 Cor 15: 1 -7; Rom 4: 24 -25. • Pastor Greek poimen "shepherd“: John 21: 15 -17; Acts 20: 28; 1 Pet 5: 14. Also: Eph 4: 11; 1; Matt 9. 36; Matt 26. 31; Luke 2. 8; John 10. 2; Heb 13. 20; 1 Pet 2. 25. • Of a church office only rarely: Acts 20: 28, Eph 4: 11; & by extension 1 Pet 5: 1 -2. • Prophet Greek prophetes to speak before in time or place. Eph 4: 11. Include women Acts 21: 9; 1 Cor 11: 5. • Teacher Greek didaskolos with Pastor in Eph 4: 11.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Structure • Observations: • When deacon & another office are

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: Structure • Observations: • When deacon & another office are mentioned that other is always bishop & never elder. • Letters to churches in the NT are never begun with greetings to specific individuals such as "Pastor So-and-So“; perhaps, in part, because they are cyclical epistles, but not all. • In letters where persons are mentioned, offices are mentioned en passant, in general, or not at all eg Romans. • Only in Phil 1: 1 is are officers mentioned & then after the people. • In 1 Cor , where church discipline, leadership, & government are at issue in a specific church; no leaders are called upon to act.

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: • The relationship of Pastor, elder, overseer / bishop. •

Systematic & Historical Ecclesiology: • The relationship of Pastor, elder, overseer / bishop. • Many argue for interchangeability of these terms: • Elder & overseer are interchanged Acts 20. 17, 28; Titus 1. 5 -9. • Their purpose is the same & associated with pastor or shepherd. • The duties of a pastor are assigned to "the elders among you" 1 Pet 5: 1 -2. • 2 John 1; 3 John 1; 1 Pet 5. 1 were apostles & also elders. This would not imply an office inferior to that of pastor or overseer. • Only bishop & deacons in the greeting of Phil 1: 1. Why no elders. • Some argue "elder" is a state in life & “bishop“ is an office held by an elder. • It is consistent with elder in Jewish tradition. • Bishops may be "elders who rule" in 1 Tim 5: 17. • This would allow more elders in a church than could effectively rule. • Elder may refer to what we today call membership while bishop & deacon refer to offices. • The Early Church was often led by groups. • Electing an elder for a term of office is silly.