The Churches the The Churches the Apostles Left BehindApostles Left Behind

Key Concepts from Raymond E. Key Concepts from Raymond E. Brown’s textBrown’s text

Overview

• 6 “models” or suggestions as to how the Church should be defined

• All can be supported through scripture• All have strengths & weaknesses• The living Church is a combination and

ever-changing combination of the models

1. The pastoral letters• The Church led by Authoritative TeachersThe Church led by Authoritative Teachers

STRENGTHSSTRENGTHS

• Stability and continuity are enhanced

•Qualifications for leaders are established

You should appoint elders in every town, as I directed you: someone who is blameless… He must have a firm grasp of the word that is trustworthy in accordance with the teaching, so that he may be able to preach with sound doctrine and to refute those who contradict it. [Titus 1:5 – 7a,9]

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES

• Creativity can be discouraged (innovation might not be stressed)

•Clericalism, a chasm between teachers and taught can ensue

2. Colossians/Ephesians• The Church as the Mystical Body of Christ to be LovedThe Church as the Mystical Body of Christ to be Loved

STRENGTHSSTRENGTHS• Love for the Church is encouraged

• Dedication of one’s life to the Church is fostered

• Promotes faith in ultimate holiness of the Church despite its human sinfulness

And God has put all things under [Christ’s] feet and has made him the head over all things for the Church, which is body, the fullness of him who fills all in all [Eph 1:20, 22-23]

See also Eph 4:15-16 & Eph 5:25-27

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES• A stress on Church as holy can encourage a hiding of defects to avoid “scandal”

•Local churches are reduced in importance

• There is a tendency to devalue those outside the Body

3. Luke/Acts• The Church as the Agent of the SpiritThe Church as the Agent of the Spirit

STRENGTHSSTRENGTHS• The survival of the Church not dependent on specific persons; the Spirit will work through new agents

For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us impose on you no further burden than these basics… [Acts 15:28]

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES•Does not prepare for disaster

•Is the Spirit always heeded?

4. 1 Peter• The Church as the People of GodThe Church as the People of God

STRENGTHSSTRENGTHS

• Members can have the sense that real benefits are gained from belonging

• Community is promoted

• The priestly dignity of all baptized is stressed

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. [1Peter2:9]

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES

• A sense of exclusive privilege can result

•Are outsiders reduced to non-people?

5. Johannine writings• A Discipleship of Equals Taught by the ParacleteA Discipleship of Equals Taught by the Paraclete

STRENGTHSSTRENGTHS• A personal relationship with Jesus is needed by all Christians

• The equality of all in Christ is highlighted

• The ongoing teaching of the Paraclete is available to all

I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. [John 15:5]

See also John 14:26

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES• Can foster individualism to the point where a sense of Church is lost

•Can result in uncontrollable divisions because of appeals to the Paraclete

• The history of the community and respect for outsiders can be minimized

6. Matthew• The Church Living by the Torah of JesusThe Church Living by the Torah of Jesus

STRENGTHSSTRENGTHS• Encourages a great respect for Law and authority

• Unity of Church is stressed

Do not think that I have come to abolish the law and the Prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill…Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven. [Mt. 5:17; 7:21]

WEAKNESSESWEAKNESSES• It is not easy to maintain a healthy tension between Principle and Love