scholarly journals The Laos tou Theou – an orthodox view of the ‘people of God’

2010 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Angelo Nicolaides
Keyword(s):  
Analytic Approach ◽  
Entire Body ◽  
People Of God ◽  
The People ◽  
God's People ◽  
Royal Priesthood ◽  
In Christ ◽  
The Creation ◽  
Orthodox View ◽  
Unique Relationship

The creation of the Ekklesia by the incarnate logos of God created a new and unique relationship with God’s people that allows humanity to enter into the Covenant and to become part of the ‘people of God’ (Laos tou Theou). Who is the Ekklesia? Is it the entire body of believers in Christ? Who are the chosen race, the royal priesthood and the holy nation of God? If the Ekklesia is the new Laos tou Theou, does its being so cancel out the initial covenant given to the nation of Israel? Is the nation of Israel still ‘God’s people’? This article strives to provide answers to the above questions by providing a discourse analytic approach to the theme. It is clear from the research that the Ekklesia remain the Laos tou Theou, comprising the entire corpus of Christ and the entire communion (or fellowship [koinonia]) of all of the disciples of Jesus. Essentially, all baptised believers are part of the chosen race and the royal priesthood, which form the holy nation of God. All of us are equally called by God to belong to his ‘people’.

scholarly journals Teologi, Studi Biblika, dan Misi

2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-131
Author(s):  
Ailsa Barker
Keyword(s):  
The Other ◽  
Missio Dei ◽  
People Of God ◽  
Biblical Story ◽  
Ministerial Training ◽  
The People ◽  
God's People ◽  
Missional Engagement ◽  
To Come ◽  
The Church

Missional hermeneutics is the interpretation of Scripture as it relates to the missionary task of the church. Four elements comprise a missional hermeneutics: 1) the missional trajectory of the biblical story being the foremost element, which also underlies the other three, 2) a narrative throughout Scripture centered on Christ and intended to equip the people of God for their missional task, 3) the missional context of the reader, in which attention moves from the task of equipping to the community being equipped, a community that is active, and 4) a missional engagement with culture and the implications thereof. Through the life of God’s people an alternative is offered, together with an invitation to come and join. Because the separation of theology from the mission of the church has distorted theology, all theology needs to be reformulated from the perspective of missio Dei and from the realization that the church is a sent community, missional in its very being. A missional hermeneutics bears implications upon the congregation, worship, preaching, discipleship, education, ministerial training, and the missionary task in multicultural contexts.

scholarly journals Jean-Marc Éla’s Hut and Empty Granary: Rethinking the Social Significance of Theology in Africa

2021 ◽  
Vol 47 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentine Ugochukwu Iheanacho
Keyword(s):  
Social Context ◽  
Social Significance ◽  
People Of God ◽  
Pope Francis ◽  
The People ◽  
The Social ◽  
God's People ◽  
Village Life ◽  
The Church

Jean-Marc Éla, in his book My Faith as an African (1988), articulates a pastoral vision for the church in Africa. According to Éla, the “friends of the gospel” must be conscious of God’s presence “in the hut of a mother whose granary is empty.” This awakening arises from the capacity of theologians “to catch the faintest murmurs of the Spirit,” and to stay within earshot of what is happening in the ecclesial community. The vocation of an African theologian, as a witness of the faith and a travelling companion of God’s people, obliges him/her “to get dirty in the precarious conditions of village life.” Decades later, this thought of Éla echoes in Pope Francis’ pastoral vision: “I would prefer a Church which is bruised, hurting and dirty because it has been out on the streets, rather than a Church which is unhealthy from being confined and from clinging to its security” (Evangelii Gaudium, 49). The purpose of this article is to espouse the pastoral vision of Éla in light of the liberating mission of African theologians. This mission goes beyond armchair theologising toward engaging the people of God “under the tree.” With the granary understood as a metaphor for famine—and famine itself being the messenger of death—the article will also argue that the “friends of the gospel” are not at liberty to shut their eyes and drift off to sleep with a clear conscience, amidst a declining African social context.

scholarly journals The deaf cannot see: An accumulation of blindness and deafness as combined theme in Isaiah 42 and 43

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
People Of God ◽  
The Bible ◽  
New Beginning ◽  
The People ◽  
God's People

In the Bible the words blind and deaf occur nine times in the same sentence. An accumulation of such sentences is found in Isaiah 42 and 43, where it occurs three times (Is 42:18, 19; 43:8). Blindness is also mentioned in two further sentences in these chapters. Not only is it stated that the people of God is blind, but Israel also accuses Yahweh that their way is hidden from him (Is 40:27). It is because of this accusation, pertaining to an alleged blindness on Yahweh’s side, that the question of hearing is raised. He answers to this accusation in the heavenly court with the questions ‘Do you not know? Have you not heard?’ From there on God makes it clear that seeing is dependent on hearing. In a heavenly court of law, the wrong perception that God’s people had about the exile was put straight and a new beginning for the exiles was subsequently made. The theme of blind- and deafness is thereby continued from Isaiah 1 and 6 in the verdict in the heavenly court in Isaiah 43, where it became clear that the cure for the spiritual blindness of God’s people is not related to their eyes, but to their ears.In die Bybel kom die woorde blind en doof nege keer saam in dieselfde sin voor. ’n Opeenhoping van hierdie sinne word in Jesaja 42 en 43 aangetref waar dit drie maal voorkom (Jes 42:18, 19; 43:8). Blindheid word ook in twee verdere sinne in hierdie hoofstukke genoem. Nie alleen word dit gestel dat die volk van God blind is nie, maar die volk beskuldig God dat Hy nie raaksien wat van hulle word nie (Jes 40:27). In die hemelse hof antwoord God op hierdie beskuldiging met die vrae ‘Weet julle nie? Het julle nie gehoor nie?’ Van daardie punt af maak God dit duidelik dat sien van hoor afhanklik is. Hierdie verkeerde persepsie van die volk oor God se sogenaamde blindheid vir hulle welstand tydens die ballingskap, word reggestel en ’n nuwe begin word gemaak. Die tema van blind- en doofheid word sodoende uit Jesaja 1 en 6 voortgesit in die uitspraak wat in die hemelse hof gemaak word (Jes 43). Daar word dit duidelik dat die oplossing vir die geestelike blindheid van die volk nie verband hou met hulle sig nie, maar met hulle gehoor.

Die kerk in die Nuwe Testament

1995 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
G. M.M. Pelser
Keyword(s):  
New Testament ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Of Christ ◽  
Way Of Life ◽  
People Of God ◽  
The Poor ◽  
The People ◽  
The New Testament ◽  
In Christ ◽  
The Church

The church in the New Testament The article explores the documents of the New Testament in search of the concept church' and finds that,  in a nutshell, the answers are as follows: the  Spirit-controlled, charismatic togetherness of people 'in Christ' (Paul); cross-bearing followers of Jesus (Mk); the people of God on their way through history (Lk-Ac); the faithful locked in battle with Satanic powers, but with the expectation of occupying the heavenly Jerusalem (Rv); the  community with which Christ became solidary, and which is heading for its heavenly place of rest (Reb); the poor but pious community, putting their faith into practice (Ja); the body of Christ in which his universal reign can be experienced (Col); the sphere in which salvation is  realized (Eph); disciples following Jesus as God-with us, experiencing the  rift between synagogue and church (Mt); friends and confidants of Christ, living at loggerheads with the synagogue (In); the household of God, governed by householders (Pastorals); and the socia-ly ostracized elect of God whose way of life should be a demonstration of their otherness as Christians (1 Pt).

scholarly journals Gemeentebou: 'n Reformatoriese bediening

1995 ◽  
Vol 51 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Malan Nel
Keyword(s):  
Local Church ◽  
Academic Discipline ◽  
Kingdom Of God ◽  
The Body ◽  
People Of God ◽  
The People ◽  
In Christ ◽  
Local Body

Building up the local church: A ministry of reformation. Building up the local church is not simplistic. It is a comprehensive ministry. The challenge is to return the ministry to the people of God and to equip them to be faithful as God's representatives in this world. Any local body of believers is called to seek the coming of the Kingdom of God within its own context and in this world. This is our (the body of believers, including the offices) calling - not only to seek the coming of the Kingdom but also to be a showcase of and for the Kingdom. There is, however, often a disturbing discrepancy between the so-called defined and empirical subjects when it comes to any given local church. The academic discipline as well as the ministry of building up the local church has everything to do with helping the local church to become what it is supposed to be. In this sense it is nothing less than a ministry of reformation - facilitating, guiding, equipping believers to become in an increasing way who they already are in Christ.

Yhwh and His Messiah: Pauline Exegesis and the Divine Christ

1994 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 121-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Capes
Keyword(s):  
People Of God ◽  
The People ◽  
The Status ◽  
In Christ ◽  
The Law ◽  
Scriptural Exegesis ◽  
New Situation

AbstractIn Romans 9-11 Paul laments the status of unbelieving Jews and its resultant disjuncture with believing Jews and Gentiles now included in the people of God. He attempts to justify this astonishing, new situation by frequent appeals to God's plan revealed in scripture.1 Pivotal to his discussion is Rom 9:30-10:13 which describes why Israel had not yet attained God's righteousness revealed in Christ.2 Paul's discourse tracks carefully along the path of scriptural exegesis in allusions and comments on the Law (Lev 18:5; Deut 9:4; 30:12-14) and the Prophets (Isa 8:14; 28:16; Joel 3:5). Since it is generally acknowledged that this part of Paul's argument (9:30-10:21) is christocentric3, this article will explore how the apostle "reads" these texts and expands their meaning through christological reflection.4 Specifically, I will investigate Paul's exegetical methods and conclusions in Rom 9:30-10:13 and draw some implications for his understanding of Jesus.

Creation, Sin and Its Curse, and the People of God: an Intertextual Reading of Genesis 1-12 and Acts 1-7

2003 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 146-160
Author(s):  
Thomas E. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
People Of God ◽  
The People ◽  
God's People ◽  
Genesis 1

AbstractThis essay offers an intertextual reading of Gen 1-12 and Acts 1-7. Specifically, it considers how three soteriological themes (i.e., creation, sin and its curse, and creation of God's people) play a central role in the narratives of Gen 1-12 and Acts 1-7 and how reading these narratives intertextually can enhance one's appreciation for the evocative power of these themes in Genesis and for their distant echoes in Acts.

scholarly journals Pendekatan Interpretasi Teologis Kitab Suci dan Prasuposisi-Prasuposisi Teologis di Baliknya

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-160
Author(s):  
Carmia Margaret
Keyword(s):  
Jesus Christ ◽  
The Body ◽  
Body Of Christ ◽  
Theological Interpretation ◽  
People Of God ◽  
Normative Function ◽  
The People ◽  
Royal Priesthood

Cukup banyak tokoh dan tulisan yang berupaya memperkenalkan, mendiskusikan, dan menunjukkan cara kerja pendekatan Interpretasi Teologis Kitab Suci atau yang lebih dikenal sebagai Theological Interpretation of Scripture (TIS), tetapi tidak banyak yang sebenarnya menbedah pemikiran-pemikiran teologis-filosofis di baliknya.  Tulisan ini akan memperkenalkan natur, esensi, dan karakteristik khas pendekatan TIS melalui beberapa konviksi pembentuk yang melatarbelakanginya, yang dapat diibaratkan sebagai “DNA” bagi pendekatan TIS dan sekaligus membedakannya dari pendekatan-pendekatan tafsir lainnya.  Pendekatan TIS agaknya paling baik dipahami sebagai pembacaan yang dilakukan di dalam dua konteks, yaitu konteks teologis dan ekklesial.  Dalam konteks teologis, pendekatan TIS percaya bahwa Kitab Suci sebagai tulisan yang bersifat sakral, Kitab Suci adalah medium komunikasi Ilahi kepada umat di sepanjang sejarah bahkan hingga hari ini, Kitab Suci memiliki kesatuan dalam seluruh bagiannya dengan Yesus Kristus sebagai pusat dan pengikat, dan Kitab Suci paling baik dibaca dengan kesadaran akan lensa teologis pembacanya.  Dalam konteks ekklesial, pendekatan TIS menekankan keimaman rajani seluruh anggota tubuh Kristus sebagai pembaca teks, keniscayaan komunitas di dalam pembacaan, dan fungsi normatif teks yang bertujuan menghasilkan transformasi dalam kehidupan umat. There are plenty figures and writings that attempt to introduce, discuss, and show the workings of Theological Interpretation of Scripture (TIS) as an approach in reading the Holy Scripture; however, not many that actually dissect the theological-philosophical thoughts laid behind it. This paper will discuss the nature, essence, and characteristics of the TIS approach through some of the forming convictions behind it, which can be said as "DNA" for the TIS approach and at the same time, differentiates it from other interpretive approaches. The TIS approach seems best understood as a reading that happened in two contexts, namely theological and ecclesial contexts. In a theological context, the TIS approach believes that the Scripture is a sacred writing, the Scripture is a medium of divine communication to people throughout history even today, the Scripture has a unity in all its parts with Jesus Christ as the center and binding, and the Scripture is best read with an awareness of theological lenses of the reader. In an ecclesial context, the TIS approach emphasizes the royal priesthood of all members of the body of Christ as readers of the text, the necessity of the community of believers in reading, and the normative function of the text aimed at producing transformation in the lives of the people of God.

The People of God in the Book of Revelation

2020 ◽  
pp. 324-340
Author(s):  
Peter S. Perry
Keyword(s):  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
People Of God ◽  
The People ◽  
God's People ◽  
The One

This chapter analyzes how John describes and transforms the people of God as audiences, assemblies, slaves of God, saints, those who are clothed in white, and witnesses. John moves them from being audiences of a reader to audiences in the divine court, where they are transformed from ignorance to knowledge of Rome’s violence and idolatrous economy. As assemblies, they receive messages from their true ruler asking them to deliberate on disengaging from the imperial economy and becoming an alternate society. As slaves of God, they are freed to publicly identify as God’s people, protected for service, and separate from those who serve the empire. As saints, God gives new status to the people of God and they move from passivity to activity on behalf of others who suffer at the hands of imperial consumption. As those who are metaphorically clothed in white, they exchange literal luxury for status in God’s court. As witnesses, they are moved to speak the truth about the One-Who-Sits-on-the-Throne and expose the lies that deceive people to participate in the imperial economy.

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