Over the last fifteen years, a small group of ecclesiologists has been engaged in redefining the object of ecclesiological inquiry and the purpose of ecclesiological reflection. These ‘concrete’ ecclesiologies take the historical, sinful, concrete church of experience as the object of their theological reflection, and understand ecclesiological reflection as practical reasoning in the service of church communities. Concrete ecclesiologies borrow methods from qualitative social science in order to attend to the concrete church. This thesis describes concrete ecclesiologies as a distinct field for the first time, defines the methodological common sense they share, and traces their roots in twentieth century theology and the postmodern cultural context. The theological and methodological tensions underlying concrete ecclesiologies are analysed, and cril attention is focussed on their use of social science. This critical analysis suggests that significant reparative work is needed in order to realise the promise of concrete approaches to ecclesiology. Constructive ethnographic and theological work is required to develop concrete ecclesiologies’ understandings of (a) the object of ethnographic inquiry, (b) the object of ecclesiological inquiry, and (c) the function of ecclesiological reflection. Constructive work commences with a survey of ethnographic understandings of the social real. Pragmatic/relational anthropology’s understanding of the social real is used as the departure point for a creative theological rethinking of the object of ecclesiological inquiry, the church, and the purpose of ecclesiological reflection.

The overall purpose of this thesis is to explore the difficulty of an individualised Christology in the postmodern world and to offer possible avenues for the Church in addressing it. Throughout the thesis we use the example of Helmut Thielicke to demonstrate the nature of an individualistic christology. His sermons are particularly singled out because they serve as the main vehicle through which his Christology reached the people. Thielieke is important to our goals for several reasons. For one, he represents a christological approach that is highly individualistic. Secondly, Thielicke is representative of a shift in the christological paradigm within Lutheranism. Discovering whether that shift is helpful or harmful directly affects how Lutheranism relates in the postmodern world. The thesis will progress through three stages to accomplish our goals. The first three chapters form the first stage. Their purpose is to establish concrete examples of the way Thielicke's individualised christology affects specific key doctrines in classic Lutheranism, as well as how it impacts the more general areas of Lutheran ecclesiology and sacramental tlieology. The second stage involves chapters four and five. The purpose here is to search for additional roots of Thielicke's individualism. Chapter four looks to the influences of both philosophy and secular social thought on Thielicke's Christology. Chapter five seeks to find Thielicke's place within the overall development of the individual. Chapters six and seven form the final stage and represent our response to the kind of individualised christology Thielicke represents. We begin in chapter six by proposing a Theology of Presence as part of the solution to individualism. We conclude in chapter seven offering practical ways this theology can be applied in the postmodern context. Our conclusions will lead us toward the importance of establishing a new metanarrative based on a more corporate form of christology.

The purpose of this thesis is to describe, analyse and assess the developing ecclesiology of the Assemblies of God in Australia (AGA). In chapter one, after reviewing the sparse literature on pentecostal ecclesiology, we turn to a contemplation of ecclesiological method. We note that some of the typical approaches, including biblicist and communio ecclesiologies, are idealist in orientation, since they contemplate the church in abstraction from its concrete, socio-historical and cultural identity. In chapter two we develop an alternative method, building particularly on the insights of Joseph Komonchak and Neil Ormerod, who argue that the object of ecclesiology is not ecclesial ideals but, rather, the set (or sets) of experiences, understandings, symbols, words, judgements, statements, decisions, actions, relationships, and institutions which distinguish the group of people called “the Church.” This leads to a concrete methodology that is derived from the explicit and implicit ecclesiology apparent in the history of the church. It also recognises that the church is a social reality as well as a divinely ordained community and, therefore, that the ecclesiologist needs to incorporate the insights of both the disciplines of theology and sociology. A large part of our discussion in chapter two is thus concerned with the nature of the interaction between these various disciplines.The method outlined in these early chapters forms the basis of our exploration of the ecclesiology of the AGA in chapters three to five. In line with our methodological construction, each chapter begins with the narrative of particular periods in the movement’s history, focusing especially on times of ecclesial transition and development. These narrative sections not only tell a story that has, largely, remained untold, but they also seek to draw out the explicit and implicit elements of AGA ecclesiology. In each chapter, narrative is followed by analysis which, firstly, clarifies central aspects of the developing ecclesiology and, secondly, attempts to assess what has been gained and lost in the process of ecclesiological change. With regard to the content of these chapters, chapter three treats the development of early pentecostalism, and the transition from unstructured and loosely knit faith mission communities to congregationally structured churches. Chapter four analyses the institutional formation of Australian pentecostalism, focusing particularly on the formalisation of the AGA. Of concern during this period was the relationship between churches and centralised bodies, as well as the roles and responsibilities of church leadership. Chapter five then treats the developments in AGA ecclesiology that accompanied the charismatic revival of the 1960s, 70s and 80s, as well as the institutional changes that occurred due to the rapid growth of the movement. In the concluding chapter six, we summarise our research, and intimate potential trajectories for the AGA as it moves into the twenty first century. In the light of our analysis and assessment, we also make some suggestions for ecclesial self-reflection.

This dissertation explores how architecture is valorized by the cultural artifacts, both visual and text-based, which present and describe it. It examines aspects of the Gothic Revival in early Victorian Britain, to consider the assimilation of models of evolving architectural discourse by one organization with specialized interest in its promotion, and adaptations of that discourse in the realm of popular culture. The dissertation focuses on the ideology of the Cambridge Camden Society, from its inception in 1839 through to 1850. The Society advocated an appreciation of Gothic churches both for aesthetic, and for religious and moral reasons. A key dimension of its mandate, captured in the rhetoric of ecclesiology, was to prioritize an empirical investigation of extant medieval churches. Findings were to be recorded on specially-devised questionnaires, called "church schemes," using a text-based, specially-encoded taxonomy. Given the availability both of extensive documentation by the Society concerning these schemes, and of almost seven hundred completed forms, areas of conformity and divergence between the prescriptive, instructional material, and the descriptive material which indicates the actual reception of the architecture, may be discerned. "Church visiting" hence became the primary means of personal engagement with the architecture, enacted through the elaborate ritual of scripted tourism spelled out by the church schemes and attendant pedagogical documents. The importance, and the implications, of tourism to members of the Cambridge Camden Society are addressed through an evaluation of travel theories and methodologies, developed, especially, since the 1990s. An understanding of ecclesiology in terms of travel theory enables it to be evaluated in a wider context, namely as part of an emerging tourist ethos based on expanding opportunities and incentives to travel through Britain. From this perspective, the Cambridge Camden Society is to be perceived as part of a larger consortium of advocates of tourism to sights of medieval architecture, who employed similar inducements and terminology, and who created such markers of architectural authenticity as travel guides to mediate the traveller's reception of a given sight. As a result, the possibilities of the widespread dissemination of at least the architectural components of ecclesiological ideals, as part of the groundswell of promotional material devoted to all things Gothic, were enhanced.

Thesis (Ph.D.). / Written for the School of Architecture. Title from title page of PDF (viewed 2008/09/28). Includes bibliographical references.

No description available.

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Die tema van hierdie studie toon die kerkbegrip van Cyprianus aan as 'n spanning tussen die kerk as instituut en die kerk van die Gees. Hoofstuk een skets die invloed van Tertullianus as leermeester op Cyprianus. Tertullianus se kerkbegrip getuig self van spanning wat die produk is van 'n verandering van lidmaatskap vanaf die Katolieke kerk na die Montaniste. Tertullianus se kerkbegrip word vanuit twee perspektiewe belig. Eerstens vanuit 'n Katolieke, met 'n fokus op die fundering van die ware kerk en die mag van die kerk om sondes te kan vergewe. Tweedens vanuit 'n Montanistiese, wat die def iniering van die ware kerk en die mag van die kerk om sondes te kan vergewe eksklusief geestelik begrond. Hoofstuk twee skets die milieu waarbinne Cyprianus gearbei het. Dit sluit in 'n biografie van Cyprianus en die Afrika-religie en bevolking. Tweedens word die Europese invloed op Cyprianus se kerkbegrip aangedui. Die invloed van die Romeinse staatkundige model kan duidelik waargeneem word. Die grootste invloed was egter die Roomse kerklike model, weens die dinamika van die Roomse kerk. Hoofstuk drie skets die ekklesiologie van Cyprianus. Die spanning tussen die kerk as 'n instituut en die kerk van die Gees word aangedui deur 'n bespreking van die episkopaat; die betekenis van die biskop; Cyprianus se gesagsbegrip en sy perspektief op die primaat. Cyprianus se Bybelse verbintenis, sowel as die twee historiese lyne, naamlik die Pauliniese lyn en die Petruslyn, plaas sy uitspraak salus extra ecclesiam non est in perspektief. Cyprianus se kerkbegrip is primer 'n ekklesiologie van die Gees. In sy strewe na die eenheid van die kerk vind hy die kerk as instituut egter onontbeerlik. Spanning onstaan in sy poging om 'n sintese tussen die twee te vorm. / The theme of this study reveals the tension to be found between the church as institution and the church of the Spirit, in the ecclesiology of Cyprian. Chapter one shows the influence which Tertullian, as tutor, exerted on Cyprian. The ecclesiology of Tertullian also reveals the tension which is produced by the change of membership from Catholicism to Montanism. Tertullian's ecclesiology is highlighted from two different perspectives. Firstly from a Catholic view, with the focus on the fundamentals of the true church, and the authority and power of the church to forgive sins. Secondly, a Montanist view is proposed, which defines the true church, and the power it yields in forgiving sins, as being exclusively spiritual in nature. Chapter two describes the environment in which Cyprian worked. This includes a biography of Cyprian, as well as the African religion and people. Secondly the European influence is shown on Cyprian's ecclesiology. The influence exerted by the Roman state model is also clearly seen. The major influence though, was exercised by the Roman church model, on account of the dynamics of the Roman church. Chapter three describes Cyprian's ecclesiology. The tension between the church as institute and the church of the Spirit is revealed in a discussion on the episcopacy; the significance of the bishop; Cyprian's view on authority and his perspective on the primacy. Cyprian's biblical connection, as well as the two historical lines, namely the Pauline and Petrine lines, put his salus extra ecclesiam non est pronouncement in perspective. ecclesiology the unity of Cyprian's view is primarily that of a of the Spirit. In his striving towards the church though, he finds the church as institute to be indispensable. Tension develops in his endeavor to form a synthesis between the two. / Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiology / D. Th.

Jean-Paul II a été favorable à une bonne utilisation des moyens de communication sociale pour renforcer les activités missionnaires de l'Église catholique dans un monde davantage sécularisé. Plusieurs autres auteurs qui seront mentionnés dans ce mémoire célèbrent ce rapport positif que le pape entretient avec les médias et les professionnels des médias. Toutefois une relecture des textes de Jean-Paul II permet de conclure que ce rapport aux médias prend en compte les problèmes associés aux effets négatifs des médias. Certes, son usage et sa compréhension des médias se trouvaient motivés largement par les avantages certains qu'ils offrent, dont il se servira avec habileté, mais aussi par les effets débilitants sur l’annonce de l'Évangile dans le monde actuel qu'ils provoquent. Ambivalent, ce pape réussira tout de même à tirer son épingle du jeu et tentera par tous les moyens de convaincre les Catholiques de l'importance des médias, toutes les formes de médias. Dans le but d'éclaircir ce rapport ambivalent, le mémoire formule deux questions sur lesquelles les analyses sont centrées : 1. Quels sont les enjeux problématiques des médias sous-entendus dans les réflexions de Jean-Paul II en matière de communication sociale ? 2. Quelles approches a-t-il utilisées en réponse à ces enjeux ? En définitive, ces questions permettent, du moins nous semble-t-il, de saisir des aspects fondamentaux concernant les apports de Jean-Paul II en communication sociale. / John Paul II promoted the good use of the means of social communication to support the Catholic Church’s missionary activities in a rapidly secularizing world. Several authors that will be mentioned in this essay celebrate the positive relationship the Pope fostered with media and media professionals. A re-reading of John Paul II’s texts leads us to the conclusion that he was concerned with the problems that the media entails. His use and understanding of the media were motivated largely by the obvious benefits they offered, which he employed to great advantage, but also by their harmful effects on the spread of the Gospel. Ambivalent, the Pope knows how to draw on the best practices and attempts to convince Catholics of the importance of all forms of media. In the hope of clarifying this ambivalent relationship, this essay presents two questions to guide its analysis: 1. What are the problematic issues associated with the media implied in John Paul II’s reflections on the means of social communication? 2. What approaches did he use in response to these issues? In short, these questions allow us, at the very least, to examine some fundamental aspects of John Paul II’s views on social communications.

This essay examines the Swedish missionary association Bible Faithful Friends’ (Bibeltrogna Vänner, BV) ecclesiological development between the years 1911 – 1986 and their relation to the Church of Sweden. This essay’s three main questions are: - How did the ecclesiology of BV develop during the years 1911 – 1986, with certain focus on 1967-1986? - In what way was this ecclesiology imprinted by a) the structure of the missionary association? b) and the ecclesiological standpoint of the leader Axel B. Svensson? As regards the first question, the study shows that BV's ecclesiology, particularly in the years 1967 – 1986, is characterized by a church debate between BV's board and the promoters and founders of the Lutheran Confessional Church (Lutherska Bekännelsekyrkan, LBK). The latter was founded due to what they identified as confessional deviations in the Church of Sweden. Their view of church fellowship was that the invisible and the visible church should be uniform in doctrine, faith and confession. Accordingly, they argued that the lack of church discipline had led the Church of Sweden to deviate from the word of God and the apostles' doctrine. In the 1980’s, a proposal to allow Evangelical Lutheran congregations to form within BV, initiated a theological work by the board. The annual meeting of 1986 resolves not only to permit the emergence of free Evangelical Lutheran congregations within BV, but rather to encourage such a transition. In the second question, this study shows that the varying local church conditions among missionaries in northern Skåne in the 1870’s, resulted in the formation of "Communion fellowships". The historical explanations to the formation of these fellowships vary. However, essential to this study is the explanation given in BV’s internal historiography. This reveals that these fellowships were founded out of a need to receive Holy Communion as they had been excommunicated from the parish church. In other areas, missionaries were welcomed and encouraged by the church; hence Holy Communion was not here an issue. These varying local conditions in the grassroots movement BV contributed most likely to the association's pragmatic position in the church issue. Furthermore, one was united in the focus of mission, both near and abroad. In the third question, the study shows that Axel B. Svensson's ecclesiology had an essential impact on BV's official position in the church issue. Moreover, the absence of his voice after his death in 1967 makes clear that his ecclesiology was considered indicative to both BV and LBK. Both used him as legitimizing their own position but perceived him quite differently. However the dominating position among BV members was to remain within the Church of Sweden by working for spiritual revival in her midst. Being an ecclesiola in ecclesian, and thereby promote revival. At the same time one was open towards a relationship change towards the Church of Sweden if this would be considered necessary. 1986 is the year when one could regard this statement to be put to test: through encouraging the formation of Evangelical Lutheran congregations within BV, the association proves to stay true to its pragmatic ecclesiological standpoint were collaboration on the mission field, home and abroad, is superior to union in church issues. My analysis of these results comes to the conclusion that BV was once and is still founded in the identity of being "ecclesiola in ecclesia". Therefore, during the 1967 – 1986 debate, this identity is challenged by certain BV members wanting to be ecclesia instead of ecclesiola. The pragmatic ecclesiological standpoint, which has long been practiced in the northern Skåne example, in the work of Axel B. Svensson and in the decision of 1986, was hence the reason to why BV was able to stay true to their particular mission: being ecclesiola in ecclesia.

Jean-Paul II a été favorable à une bonne utilisation des moyens de communication sociale pour renforcer les activités missionnaires de l'Église catholique dans un monde davantage sécularisé. Plusieurs autres auteurs qui seront mentionnés dans ce mémoire célèbrent ce rapport positif que le pape entretient avec les médias et les professionnels des médias. Toutefois une relecture des textes de Jean-Paul II permet de conclure que ce rapport aux médias prend en compte les problèmes associés aux effets négatifs des médias. Certes, son usage et sa compréhension des médias se trouvaient motivés largement par les avantages certains qu'ils offrent, dont il se servira avec habileté, mais aussi par les effets débilitants sur l’annonce de l'Évangile dans le monde actuel qu'ils provoquent. Ambivalent, ce pape réussira tout de même à tirer son épingle du jeu et tentera par tous les moyens de convaincre les Catholiques de l'importance des médias, toutes les formes de médias. Dans le but d'éclaircir ce rapport ambivalent, le mémoire formule deux questions sur lesquelles les analyses sont centrées : 1. Quels sont les enjeux problématiques des médias sous-entendus dans les réflexions de Jean-Paul II en matière de communication sociale ? 2. Quelles approches a-t-il utilisées en réponse à ces enjeux ? En définitive, ces questions permettent, du moins nous semble-t-il, de saisir des aspects fondamentaux concernant les apports de Jean-Paul II en communication sociale. / John Paul II promoted the good use of the means of social communication to support the Catholic Church’s missionary activities in a rapidly secularizing world. Several authors that will be mentioned in this essay celebrate the positive relationship the Pope fostered with media and media professionals. A re-reading of John Paul II’s texts leads us to the conclusion that he was concerned with the problems that the media entails. His use and understanding of the media were motivated largely by the obvious benefits they offered, which he employed to great advantage, but also by their harmful effects on the spread of the Gospel. Ambivalent, the Pope knows how to draw on the best practices and attempts to convince Catholics of the importance of all forms of media. In the hope of clarifying this ambivalent relationship, this essay presents two questions to guide its analysis: 1. What are the problematic issues associated with the media implied in John Paul II’s reflections on the means of social communication? 2. What approaches did he use in response to these issues? In short, these questions allow us, at the very least, to examine some fundamental aspects of John Paul II’s views on social communications.