HISTORY OF ECCLESIOLOGY

I. BIBLICAL

New Testament - Implicit and explicit

Implicit - Jesus forming the disciple community

John: Vine and branches

Explicit: Paul
Acts 9
Vital union with Christ Gal 3:27
All the BAptized from one body in Xt 1Cor 12:23
eucharist is the bond 1 Cor 10:16-17

there cant be division in the church 1 Cor 1:12ff
there has to be unity in this body (sign) 2 Cor 8 and 9
the church is a unity accross races and localities Eph 1:23
Christ is teh head of the body Col 1:18
we have to work and grow together Col 2:19
together for unity Ep 4:15-16

Many Biblical Images

Body image Rom 12, 1 Cor 12
Temple image Ep 2:20
Bride of Cjrist Ep 5
Fullness of Christ Ep 1:23

The People of God LG Chapter 2

Titles of the 8 Chapters of Lumen Gentium
1. Mystery of the Church
2. People of God
3. Hierarchy
4. Laity
5. Universal Call to Holiness
6. Religions
7. Escathological Nature of the Church
8. de Beata Maria Virgene Dei para in Mysterio Christi et Ecclesiae (About the Blessed Virgin Mary, mother of God in the mystery of Christ and the church)



II. FATHERS OF THE CHURCH

1. Imagery
the Fathers of the church loved to use images to describe the church

e.g. people, body, spouse, vineyard, temple


2. General Themes

- the FC did not have a total, well developed ecclesiology that was used to address one thing and another
e.g. action of the HS
Eucharist
Spiritual Maternity of the Church
Peace and Concord between the local churches
Collegiality of the Episcopate
The POpe as the guardian of the CHARITY for the UNIVERSAL CHURCH

3. Specific Clarifications

e.g Ireneus
Cyprian
Catholicity of the Church
Sacramental Character - Augustine
VAlidity of the Sacramental act, independent of the personal holiness of the minister.


III. MIDDLE AGES to TRENT (1545-1563)

- the age of the formation of treateases
- explanation of very specific points
e.g. Heresies
Treatises

- the treatises were helpful but it was not a total ecclesiology. It is sometimes a bit polemical






IV THEOLOGICAL PROGRESS (19th & 20th)

- a renewal of theology is happening and JOHAN ADAM MOEHLER is considered as the FATHER OF MODERN ECCLESIOLOGY (Tubigen)

HANS KUNG - same school with Moehler





V. VATICAN II

Lumen Gentium - foundational document
- ad intra
- internal life of the Church

VAT II - Council of the Church about the Church

Gaudium et Spes
- ad extra

Comprehensive Self Image
-ad extra
-ad intra






VI. POST VATICAN II DEVELOPMENTS

Episcopal Conferences
Continental Federations
Local Church Synods
eg PCP II
NSPC

Growth of theology of local churches
Renewed Theology of Mission
Inculturation
-came out in Nov. 1970 with the visit of Paul VI in Manila
Inter-Religious Dialogue (IRD)

Let's appreciate the richness of the treasures that includes in the ecclesiology today.

The Church
- is like a living organism
- is not a MUSEUM PIECE rather think of the church as constantly flowering - John XXIII

YOu and I, founded on the apostles, we are the living stones of this growing edifice of the church.