Details

Towards an Adventist Version of Communio Ecclesiology


Towards an Adventist Version of Communio Ecclesiology

Remnant in Koinonia
Pathways for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue

von: Tihomir Lazic

69,54 €

Verlag: Palgrave Macmillan
Format: PDF
Veröffentl.: 13.11.2019
ISBN/EAN: 9783030251819
Sprache: englisch

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Beschreibungen

<p>This book explores how Seventh-day Adventists, like other Christians, can benefit from generating their own version of <i>communio </i>ecclesiology. It starts by offering a critical analysis of the <i>status quo</i> of the existing Adventist portrayal of church as remnant, and suggests potential ways of moving this tradition forward. To articulate a more rounded and comprehensive vision of the church’s rich and multifaceted relational nature, this book draws on the mainstream Christian koinonia-based framework. Consequently, it provides possible solutions to some of the most divisive ecclesial issues that Christian communities face today regarding church structure, ministry, mission, communal interpretation, and reform. As it sets on a new footing the conversation between Adventism and other mainstream Christian traditions, the methodology of this book serves as a pathway for any Christian community to use when revisiting and enhancing its own current theologies of the church.</p><br>
<p></p><p>1. Introduction.- Part I: Church as Remnant: Setting the Stage.- 2. Seventh-Day Adventism at Crossroads.- 3. Adventist Remnant Ecclesiology: A Brief Historical And Bibliographical Survey.- 4. A Critical Assessment of Adventist Understanding of the Church as Remnant .- Part II: Church as Koinonia: Enhancing the Vision.- 5. <i>Communio</i> Ecclesiology: A New Ecclesiological Opportunity.- 6. The Trinity and the Church: Towards a Participatory Ecclesiological Vision.- Part III: Remnant in Koinonia: Confronting the Issues.- 7. Overcoming Adventist Ecclesiological Impasses.- 8. Conclusion and Recommendations.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><br><p></p>
<p><b>Tihomir Lazić</b>&nbsp; works as a Lecturer in Systematic Theology at the Newbold College of Higher Education in England, and as the Director of Public Campus Ministry (or Student Ministry) at the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist church. </p>
This book explores how Seventh-day Adventists, like other Christians, can benefit from generating their own version of <i>communio </i>ecclesiology. It starts by offering a critical analysis of the <i>status quo</i> of the existing Adventist portrayal of church as remnant, and suggests potential ways of moving this tradition forward. To articulate a more rounded and comprehensive vision of the church’s rich and multifaceted relational nature, this book draws on the mainstream Christian koinonia-based framework. Consequently, it provides possible solutions to some of the most divisive ecclesial issues that Christian communities face today regarding church structure, ministry, mission, communal interpretation, and reform. As it sets on a new footing the conversation between Adventism and other mainstream Christian traditions, the methodology of this book serves as a pathway for any Christian community to use when revisiting and enhancing its own current theologies of the church.
Articulates a Seventh-day Adventist version of communio ecclesiology Brings traditional distinctive ideas of Seventh-day Adventist theology into dialogue with a dominant theological theme of the modern ecclesiology, which focuses on koinonia and communio Provies a rounded and systematically articulated concept of church from an Adventist perspective
“This is a truly ground-breaking text - a thorough and highly original exposition of Seventh-day Adventist ecclesiology. Tihomir Lazic has produced a remarkable book that explores the theme of ecclesial <i>communio</i>, beginning with the church as a ‘remnant’, and then expanding the tradition to take in new possibilities. It is rare to find an ecclesiology of this kind - that begins with a relatively communitarian concept of church, and yet develops ecclesial identity and mission into something truly expansive. In that regard, Lazic’s work will have powerful repercussions for other denominational groups in the twenty-first century, as they become more visible in the public sphere, even in the wake of the challenges they face. This is an outstanding exercise in ecclesial reflection, which pushes well beyond the boundaries of its subject, and into some rich and probing conversational theology.” (Martyn Percy, Dean, Christ Church, University of Oxford, UK)<p>“This book<i> </i>fully endorses Adventist’s theological convictions, while simultaneously bringing them in a creative conversation with recent <i>communio</i> ecclesiologies. There is an urgent need for this conversation. It may seem blue-print ecclesiology, but it is about the real church. The Adventist belief of the church as a remnant is developed in an interpretation of the church as <i>koinonia</i>, not only for the sake of the vitality and unity of the Adventist movement, but also for the sake of the world that it seeks to serve. Lazic’s work turns out to be surprisingly relevant for other denominations too, that seek to reflect on their own identity in the light of God’s purposes.” (Henk de Roest, Chairholder Practical Theology, Protestant Theological University, The Netherlands)<br></p><p>“Since their beginning as a small denomination, Seventh-day Adventists have had a limited ecclesiology, mainly functional and focused primarily, and at times exclusively, on their understanding of the concept of the “remnant” and their eschatological purpose and mission in the world.&nbsp; Predictably, such a limited ecclesiology has given rise to periods of identity crisis. &nbsp;In this book, Tihomir Lazić offers a constructive approach to Adventist ecclesiology based on the biblical concepts of&nbsp;<i>koinonia</i>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<i>communio</i>. &nbsp;He offers a helpful perspective on Adventist history and theology in order to broaden Adventist identity and situate it within the larger Christian community.&nbsp; But more effectively he gives Adventism a better articulation of what it means to be part of the people of God, the Body of Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.&nbsp; This is a valuable study that will make a lasting contribution to Adventist theology and will help situate Seventh-day Adventism within the wider Christian world.” (Denis Fortin,<b> </b>Professor of Historical Theology<b>, </b>Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary<b>, </b>Andrews University, USA)<br></p><p>“Lazić’s exploration of the profile of an Adventist koinonia ecclesiology is worth of serious consideration by Adventist theologians interested in the development of an Adventist ecclesiology that, although rooted in a remnant perspective, is willing to enlarge as much as possible its ecclesiological self-perception.” &nbsp;(Ángel Manuel Rodríguez, Former Director of the Biblical Research Institute, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists)<br></p><p>“Tihomir Lazić’s erudite work is a first by relating Seventh-day Adventist theology to <i>communio</i> ecclesiology. Its value lies in its profound analysis of mainline ecclesiology’s possible, if not much-needed, contribution to Adventist ecclesiology. Adventist readers will be inspired to broaden and deepen their particular remnant theology in the light of mainstream <i>communio</i> ecclesiology, adding substance and thoroughness to it, and providing a more systematic approach. Scholars and those interested from other denominations will likewise profit from this original contribution to ecclesiology and ecumenics. The author has an excellent grasp of the issues, undergirded by an impressive knowledge of the relevant literature.” (Rolf J. Pöhler, Professor of Systematic Theology and Director, Institute of Adventist Studies,&nbsp; Friedensau Adventist University, Germany)<br></p> <p>“The limited attention for ecclesiological questions among Adventist theologians thus far was characterized by a functional approach. The ontological alternative proposed by this Serbian Adventist complements the traditional Adventist remnant ecclesiology with a purified version of communion ecclesiology that has survived the critique on social trinitarianism and focuses on the community as participating in the life of the Spirit. It is highly refreshing to see an Adventist ecclesiologist seeking the help of Congar and of&nbsp;<i>Lumen Gentium</i>&nbsp;in overcoming the recent polarization within the global Adventist community.” (Peter De Mey, Chair of Roman Catholic ecclesiology and ecumenism, Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium)<br></p> <p>“This work by Lazić is unique in that it brings classical and contemporary ecclesiological models to bear on traditional Adventist self-understanding. In it the author seeks to maintain loyalty to his own faith community while doing justice to a broad body of thought beyond it.&nbsp;As such the work will encourage those who seek greater openness and respect across faith communities just as it will disturb some who fear dilution of Adventist identity. Thus this work is ideally placed to generate a fresh conversation within the Adventist Church. Furthermore the questions raised have significance for other Christian communities which find themselves navigating treacherous waters in an uncertain world.” (Michael Pearson, Principal Lecturer in Ethics Newbold College of Higher Education, England)<br></p> <p>“Dr Lazić opens a very important ecclesiological window with this rigorously researched proposal for the future development of Adventist theology of the Church of Jesus Christ. He engages his own eschatological Adventist doctrine of the Church as pre-millennial remnant functioning as messenger with major western and eastern theologians such as Congar, Zizioulas, Moltmann and Volf with their stress on Trinitarian koinonia or communion as a crucial participatory model of the Church. His penetrating analysis&nbsp;brings us a fascinating and learned symphony of voices of key importance for the ecumenical movement today. This is a groundbreaking ecclesiological work.” (Timothy Bradshaw, Research Fellow, Regents Park College, University of Oxford, UK)<br></p> <p>“I am pleased to recommend Tihomir Lazic’s book that fine-tunes Adventist ecclesiology in terms of a community in fellowship with God. This research develops what is implicit in the Adventist doctrinal statement that the “church is composed of all who truly believe in Christ” and that “a remnant has been called” for a special mission. Lazic’s excellent study will help Christians to better understand their relations and responsibilities within the universal body of Christ.” (Martin Hanna, Co-Editor,&nbsp;Andrews University Seminary Studies and Associate Professor of Systematic Theology, Andrews University, USA)<br></p> <p>“While demonstrating thorough acquaintance with contemporary scholarship from all Christian confessions, the author of this impressive book shows how theological ideas distinctive within Seventh Day Adventism can combine with the ecumenical theme of&nbsp;<i>koinonia</i>&nbsp;to produce an ecclesiology of participation in the Trinity. His remarkable achievement is not only to break new ground in Adventist thought, but to use such Adventist themes as the ‘remnant’ to take an original approach in a crowded field of trinitarian studies.” (Paul S. Fiddes, Professor of Systematic Theology, University of Oxford, UK)<br></p> <p>“In this sophisticated, innovative and timely treatment of Adventist ecclesiology, Tihomir Lazić offers a compelling account of how the pneumatological emphasis of communion ecclesiology can enrich Adventist 'remnant' theology, and bring Adventists into greater engagement with other Christian churches, to their mutual benefit.” (Nicholas M. Healy, Professor, Theology and Religious Studies, St. John's University, USA)<br></p> <p><br></p>