This thesis primarily analyses critically Kung's early ecclesiology with the intention of identifying important paradigmatic examples to be related to a contemporary South African Church Community. It argues that Kung's ecclesiology takes the hermeneutics of faith as its overriding theological rationale and as a result of this comes out with a particular understanding of the community of redemption. Subsequent to this primary focus in the nature of this thesis, the work further spells out clearly certain paradigmatic themes in Kung's theology and seeks to show how they can inform the ecclesiology of the CPSA. / Thesis (M.Th.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2003.

The thesis The Church and its lay aspect. Ecclesiolgical fondations of laity in the beginning of 21st century describes the situation of the lay aspect in the Church. Firstly, it defines its position within the structure of the Church. Then, on the basis of the theological reflection of the Church and its lay focus, it explains the mission of lay people as representatives of specifal state of life. Lastly, it analyzes the situation of contemporary Church, based on some examples connected to laity. The aim of the thesis is to highlight the Church approach to the world with specific emphasis on laity. It also points out the importance of the inclusive approach of the Church in the World.

In the last two decades, Seventh-day Adventist scholars have been attempting to articulate a balanced and distinct ecclesiology, aimed at helping the denomination to retain its global unity, maintain its relevance and enable a more fruitful and meaningful interaction with others. No comprehensive account of the church has been developed yet, however. This thesis is intended to facilitate a more rounded and systematically articulated concept of church from an Adventist perspective. Part I presents a thumbnail history of the denomination and considers the advantages and limitations of its standard claim to be the 'remnant', awaiting a pre-millennial parousia. Part II engages with the ideas of some of the ablest communio ecclesiologists of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries and considers their ecclesiological system, built around the concept of koinonia, while Part III examines ways in which their theoretical framework can assist the Adventist community to deal with practical ecclesial issues. Four major proposals are made for deepening Adventist understanding of the nature of church. Whereas the formal structure of communio framework can help Adventists move beyond one-sided, single-metaphor communal self-descriptions, the idea of the church as essentially a koinonia of believers in God can supplement their predominantly functionalist portrayal of the church as herald or messenger. Thirdly, the Adventist notion of truth can be enriched by viewing the community of believers not only as a messenger, but also as an organic part of divine revelation. This makes ecclesiology central to the theological enterprise, intrinsic to the grounding of theological claims and the interpretation of biblical texts. Finally, the development of a richer interpretation of the Spirit's activity in the church is seen as one of the key prerequisites for a fuller, more nuanced account of the church's participation in the life of the triune God. The highlighting of these four aspects, hitherto neglected or underdeveloped in Adventism, and the presentation of tentative solutions to its ongoing ecclesiological problems, form the principal contribution of this monograph.