Why do we need Ecclesiology?

Ecclesiology never needed to be invented because it was always there.  Ever since the first child (or adult) asked the question: why do we do things this way?, there had to be some answers.

During its early years, the church seems to have defined its ecclesiology over and against Roman Imperialism.  The irony was the highly successful western church, adopted the system of Imperial Rome.

Later Protestant sects again defined themselves against Imperialism.  The dissenting tradition was the origin of small local churches, resolutely refusing control from distant church structures, in the name of freedom.  Of course, power of the spirit was still present amongst the faithful during the middle centuries.  The stories told of that period are of accommodation with imperial power as much as they are of resistance and sometimes bloody repression.

Inward looking reflection, by all Christian traditions, on their structures, rituals and traditions, deepened insights into faith.  So, for many centuries such reflection was an discipline internal to each tradition, focusing on the given of 'our church's structures'.

Early in the twentieth century, ecumenism changed all this.  Whatever the theological position of a church, sooner or later it will need to enter into conversation with its neighbours, if only to explain its own viewpoint.  This inevitably leads to a deeper understanding of one's own tradition.

But we need to be aware of another deeper ecumenism.  From the very beginning, ecclesiology has been defined against the prevailing power structures and so several times has found new approaches to decision making that allows more autonomy to individuals.

Time and again secular organisations have copied Christian structures.  The extent to which this has happened would be a worthy topic for a dissertation, if it has not already been done. 

What does this tell us of God?  No structure alone can fully hold together all the possibilities.  This is not to say they are wrong, but limited as all human structures are limited.  Perhaps together the diversity of church structures, tells us something of the nature of God. 

Comments

[Dissertation writing]

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[Chris Sissons]

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