DESCRIPTION:

The course will focus upon the foundational issues that underlie the nature, identity and function of the church in the New Testament. We will begin with ideas of the ecclesia in early Judaism and trace the development into the New Testament.

Questions abound concerning the nature, identity and function of the church. A sure grasp of the ideas concerning the church in the New Testament period will assist in developing a framework from which to evaluate and explore issues of ecclesiology that confront today's churches and church leaders.

The course will meet once a week for a three-hour session.

Bockmuehl, Markus and M B Thompson, eds. A Vision for the Church: Studies in Early Christian Ecclesiology. T & T Clark, 1997.

Ferguson, Everett. The Church of Christ: A Biblical Ecclesiology for Today. Eerdmans, 1997.

Stackhouse, Max, et al. The Local Church in a Global Era: Reflections for a New Century. Eerdmans, 2000.

WCC Faith and Order Statement: The Nature and Purpose of the Church (see website "http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/nature1.html").

Essays on specific topics on reserve.

Braaten, Carl E. Mother Church: Ecclesiology and Ecumenism. Fortress, 1998.

Clark, Andrew. Serve the Community of the Church: Christians as Leaders and Ministers. FCGRW. Eerdmans, 2000.

Flew, R. Newton. Jesus and His Church: A Study of the Idea of the Ecclesia in the New Testament. Epworth, 1943.

Küng, Hans. The Church. Image Books, 1976.

Martin, Ralph. Worship in the Early Church. Eerdmans, 1975.

Meeks, W. A. The First Urban Christians: The Social World of the Apostle Paul. Yale University Press, 1983.

Moltmann, Jürgen. The Church in the Power of the Spirit: A Contribution to Messianic Ecclesiology. New York: Harper & Row, 1977.

Schnackenburg, Rudolf. The Church in the New Testament. New York: Herder & Herder, 1965.

Schweizer, E. Church Order in the New Testament. London: SCM, 1961.

1. Several short writing assignments

2. Two papers discussing a key passage or topic (1,200 words each)

3. Final Exam

NS500 & NS501, or NS502.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT).

Yes.