Tradition

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gerald O’Collins, SJ
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Vatican Ii ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
Joint Declaration ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
World Council ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Roman Catholics

This book opens by establishing the substantial convergence in reflection on Christian tradition proposed by a 1963 report of the Faith and Order Commission (of the World Council of Churches) and the teaching of Vatican II (1962–5). Despite this ecumenical consensus, in recent years few theologians have written about tradition, and none has looked to the social sciences for insights into the nature and functions of tradition. Drawing above all on sociologists, this work shows the difference that tradition makes in human and religious life. In the light of the divine self-revelation that climaxed with Jesus Christ, the central characteristics of tradition are set out: in particular, its relationship to and distinction from culture. The risen Christ himself is the central Tradition (upper case) at the heart of Christian life. All the baptized faithful, and not merely their ordained leaders, play a role in transmitting tradition. The ‘sense of the faithful’ amounts to a ‘sense of the tradition’. The essential, if invisible, agent of tradition remains always the Holy Spirit. Scripture and tradition function in mutual dependence, as shown by the emergence of the creeds, the image of Christ as the New Adam, and the doctrine of justification (on which a 1999 joint declaration shows substantial agreement now reached by Lutherans, Roman Catholics, and others). The full context of Christian life and history focuses the relationship between Scripture and tradition. The book deals with the challenge of discerning and reforming particular traditions. A closing appendix shows how modern studies of memory—above all, collective memory—can illuminate ways in which tradition works to maintain Christian identity and continuity.

Ghanaian Pentecostal Churches’ Mission Approaches

2015 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 241-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter White ◽  
Cornelius J.P. Niemandt
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
Mission Of God ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
God's Mission ◽  
World Council ◽  
Pentecostal Churches ◽  
The Church

Mission is first and foremost about God and God’s historical redemptive initiative on behalf of creation. In this regard, the Third Lausanne Congress affirms that the Church is called to witness to Christ today by sharing in God’s mission of love through the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. The World Council of Churches states that ‘all Christians, churches and congregations are called to be vibrant messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ’. How the Church participates in the mission of God is a question on which one should reflect. This article therefore discusses the mission approaches of Ghanaian Pentecostal churches. The article begins with a description of the Ghanaian mission strategic plan, their spiritual approach to mission, and then proceeds with other approaches in the light of Walls’ ‘five marks of mission’ (i.e. evangelism, discipleship, responding to the social needs of people through love, transforming the unjust structures of society, and safe-guarding the integrity of creation) and Krintzinger’s (and others’) holistic mission approach (i.e. kerygmatic, diaconal, fellowship, and liturgical). This article argues that mission should be approached with a careful strategy.

The Future of Mission in the World Council of Churches: The Dialogue between Lesslie Newbigin and Konrad Raiser

2004 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Michael Goheen
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
The World ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
World Council ◽  
The Cross ◽  
General Secretary

AbstractIn this article, Michael W. Goheen summarizes and evaluates a debate between ecumenical pioneer Lesslie Newbigin and former WCC general secretary Konrad Raiser. Raiser exemplifies a trinitarian approach to ecumenism and mission that recognizes the universal presence of the Holy Spirit among all peoples and religions, and so would cease to have a Christocentric focus. For Newbigin, while a trinitarian approach to ecumenism and mission is of paramount importance, an abandonment of the centrality and universality of Jesus Christ is something that cannot be abandoned. In the end, says Goheen, the differences between Raiser and Newbigin are differences revolving around the meaning of Jesus Christ and his atoning work on the cross.

‘A Pure Dwelling Place for the Holy Spirit’: John Wesley’s Reception of the Homilies of Macarius

2018 ◽  
Vol 130 (4) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Coleman M. Ford
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Fourth Century ◽  
Theological Reflection ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Christian Perfection ◽  
Present Life

The focus of this essay is on how, and to what extent, John Wesley’s doctrine of Christian perfection was influenced by his readings of the late fourth-century monastic preacher, Macarius Symeon. In this essay, I argue that Wesley focuses too narrowly upon Macarius’s language of Christian perfection to the neglect of his broader theological reflection. In doing so, Wesley sets out to paint upon a doctrinal canvas using fourth-century paint, yet neglects some of the necessary hues and tones. Wesley’s doctrine of Christian perfection evolved throughout his life, though his reliance upon Macarius is well noted in his writings. The difference, however, between the 18th-century revival preacher and the fourth century Egyptian monk is a greater recognition of earthly struggle and sin in this present life. While Macarius uses perfection language, his notion of the Christian life provided a much more grounded reality of sin and fallen human nature, contrary to Wesley’s rendering with his doctrinal formulation.

Amsterdam—What are the Implications?

1949 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-231
Author(s):  
J. L. M. Haire
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Eastern Orthodox ◽  
Salvation Army ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
The World ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
World Council ◽  
Almost All ◽  
The Church ◽  
Insight Into

Many Of Us Rejoice That Almost All The Churches Of The world have been able to unite and form a World Council of Churches. Many others—and also many of those who rejoice—are a little puzzled. To-day Baptists and Quakers and Salvation Army leaders unite in worship and discussion with old Catholics and Eastern Orthodox. A century ago they tended to look at one another as dangerous heretics or even as allies of anti-Christ. We find ourselves asking: Are we to rejoice because the ancient animosities have been laid aside or are we to hesitate in the fear that all this has happened through lack of insight into the great differences which divide us? Has the Holy Spirit so changed men's hearts that they can unite or has the spirit of the world so invaded the Church that she can no longer distinguish between light and darkness?

Pentecostal Understanding of Sanctification from a Pentecostal Perspective

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-110
Author(s):  
Hollis Gause
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Divine Revelation ◽  
Word Of God ◽  
Holy Trinity ◽  
Social Nature ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Birth ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Fruit Of The Spirit ◽  
The Trinity

AbstractThe doctrine of the Holy Trinity is the product of divine revelation, and is a doctrine of divine worship. The expressions of this doctrine come out of worshipful response to divine revelation demonstrating the social nature of the Trinity and God's incorporating the human creature in His own sociality and personal pluralism. The perfect social union between God and the man and woman that he had created was disrupted by human sin. God redeemed the fallen creature, and at the heart of this redemptive experience lies the doctrine of Holy Trinity, with the Holy Spirit as the communing agent of all the experiences of salvation. The Spirit is especially active in the provision and fulfillment of sanctification, which is presented here as the continuum of 'holiness-unity-love'. He produces the graces of the Holy Spirit – the fruit of the Spirit. He implants the Seed of the new birth which is the word of God. He purifies by the blood of Jesus. He establishes union and communion among believers and with God through His Son Jesus. This is holiness.

Liturgy

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen B. Westerfield Tucker
Keyword(s):  
Twentieth Century ◽  
Liturgical Music ◽  
World Council Of Churches ◽  
Christian Life ◽  
Liturgical Movement ◽  
Ecumenical Movement ◽  
The World ◽  
Liturgical Texts ◽  
World Council

From their emergence early in the twentieth century, the liturgical movement and the ecumenical movement, the latter particularly represented by the deliberations of the Faith and Order Commission of the World Council of Churches, both called for and shaped ecumenical discourse on the nature of worship, the content and shape (ordo) of liturgy, sacraments and sacramentality, the practices of worship, and liturgical leadership and participation. This chapter highlights the history and contributions of both of these movements and notes the confluence of the two streams in the recognition of the centrality of worship for Christian life and mission. Attention also focuses on the ecumenical sharing of liturgical music, common liturgical texts, and lectionaries, and the ongoing question of ecumenical worship.

Desires of the Spirit

2020 ◽  
pp. 183-231
Author(s):  
Simeon Zahl
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Transformative Power ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Culturally Embedded

This chapter examines the work of the Holy Spirit in the transformation and sanctification of Christians. It argues that accounts of sanctification that build upon the idea of an instantaneous implantation of new moral powers in the Christian upon receipt of the Spirit have significant problems. It then turns to Augustine’s theology of delight and desire to provide an alternative theology of sanctification that is experientially and affectively more persuasive. The second half of the chapter shows that this “affective Augustinian” approach has a number of further advantages. It can account for the fact that sanctifying experience of the Spirit exhibits variability and that human beings are often a mystery to themselves; it can affirm a qualified role for practice and habituation in Christian sanctification without overestimating the transformative power of Christian practice; and it directs attention to the social as well as materially and culturally embedded dimensions of sanctification. The chapter concludes by arguing that an “affective Augustinian” vision of Christian transformation can also account effectively and compassionately for the persistence of sin in Christians.

Is there Any Possibility of Reconciliation between Erasmus and Luther?

2021 ◽  
pp. 172-187
Author(s):  
Miikka Ruokanen
Keyword(s):  
Holy Spirit ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Three Dimensions ◽  
Real Point ◽  
The Third ◽  
The Holy Spirit ◽  
Cross Of Christ ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Catholic Tradition ◽  
God's Grace

After five centuries, would it be possible to see any chance of reconciliation between Erasmus and Luther? Looking at this question from the point of view of the three dimensions of the doctrine of grace, we might say some hopeful words. As to the first (1) dimension of grace, at many points even Erasmus admits that human choice must be empowered by God’s grace in order to move in the direction willed by God. But here the real difference is that, for Erasmus, free choice is enabled by the grace given in the creation and it is still naturally efficient in the sinners, whereas Luther sees that there is no freedom because of the human being’s enslavement by unfaith —there is a need for the efficient prevenient movement of the Holy Spirit which alone can create faith. As to the second (2) dimension of grace, following the Catholic tradition, Erasmus knows the conception of (2a) the forensic-juridical forgiveness of sins based on the atonement by the cross of Christ—in this respect there is no real point of controversy between the two. But Erasmus knows nothing about (2b) the union of the sinner with Christ in the Holy Spirit, the Trinitarian participatory conception of justification, central for Luther. In respect to the third (3) dimension of grace, both see possible the cooperation of the believer with God, the difference being Erasmus’ more anthropocentric concept of sanctification if compared with Luther’s emphasis of growth in love enabled by the Holy Spirit.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document