Foundations Theological Training Course

Transcription

1 Foundations Theological Training Course Week 7 The Doctrine of the Church and End Times (Ecclesiology and Eschatology) July 14, 2013 Reading assignments: 1. Grudem & Grudem, Chp. 17, 18, and Foundations Church Statement of Faith - Paragraphs 7 & 9 Sources: 1. Credo House Ministries. Theology. iphone App Store. Credo House Ministries, Edmond, OK, Grudem W. Systematic Theology. Zondervan Press, Grand Rapids, MI, 2000.

2 1) Introduction and definition of terms Ecclesiology: Our theology regarding the church (ekklesia = the church) Eschatology: Our theology regarding the end times and Christ's return These topics are being covered together because our view of the church ultimately determines our view of the end times, including whether or not there is a future role for the nation of Israel and Jerusalem and how we understand the millennium, the rapture, and the tribulation. The Story of Christianity : God who exists eternally in three persons, because He is a loving and giving God, not in need of anything, decided that He would create all things including man, whom God created in His own image, making him the superintendent of all the rest of His creation. He placed man in the Garden of Eden with all he needed, including companionship. He also gave man an option or a choice, which came with a consequence. Man chose wrongly, against God, and as a result fell into sin. When he fell, all of creation fell as well and was subject to sin and death. Man was still in the image of God, but this image was now distorted and marred by sin. Immediately following the fall, however, God made a promise to Eve that He would correct what had gone wrong. He later made a promise to Abraham, building on His promise to Eve, that He would bless the entire earth through Abraham's descendants. He then made yet another promise to David, specifically regarding how He would redeem and restore man. The story of the Bible then is one of creation, fall, and redemption. In the fullness of time Christ came, and God s redemption was accomplished. Additionally, God gave His Holy Spirit to dwell within His people. This fulfilled yet another promise, which is in Jeremiah 31:31, where God said that He would write His law directly on their hearts another extension of the original promise He made to Eve. So, it is clear to see that redemption and restoration were planned from the earliest time following the fall. This brings us to the church, which is the focus of our discussion this week and next, and specifically to the following questions that we will explore today... What is the Church? Why does it exist? How does it differ from the nation of Israel? What is its future? 2) What is the church? (Discuss the statements below) Possible answers... A building for religious worship (Average Joe theology) Any body of religious worshipers (Politically- correct theology) The house of the Lord as the Temple in the Old Testament was the house of The Lord (Eastern Orthodox theology)

3 A Christian religious institution through which appointed leaders guide the people of God through administration of the sacraments (Roman Catholic theology) The people of God of all time (Covenant theology) Those who have trusted in Christ since the day of Pentecost (Dispensationalist theology) An invisible body of people, both alive and dead, who hold to a common orthodox confession of Christ (Early Church theology) A visible body of people who have a common practice, demonstrating Christ s mercy (Liberal theology) Any group of people who come together to worship God and study His Word (Fundamentalist theology) Christ s continued active presence on the earth (Evangelical theology) Key Terms Visible Church The Church as an organization of all those who confess Christ and are members of local congregations (the Church Local). Invisible Church The sum total of all true believers, both living and dead, who are united by the Holy Spirit into the body of Christ. The invisible Church is known only by God (the Church Universal). The purpose of the Church is threefold 1. Worship: ministry to God. Worship in the church is not merely a preparation for something else: it is in itself fulfilling the major purpose of the church with reference to its Lord. - - Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology 2. Nurture: ministry to believers. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. (Colossians 1:28) 3. Evangelism and mercy: ministry to the world. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. (Matthew 28:19-20) All are important, and none can be neglected! The ministries of the early Church - Acts 2:41 47

4 Evangelistic outreach (vs. 41, 47; including baptism) Teaching/discipleship (vs. 42) Fellowship (vs ) Congregational care and concern (vs ) Communal worship (vs. 47; including the Lord s Supper) These are still essential elements for local churches today! Four primary views on the Church: 1. Liberal view Belief: The Church is not built upon a common confession but on a common practice of bringing mercy, love, and acceptance to those in need. This is commonly known as the social gospel. Adherents: World Council of Churches (WCC), liberal churches of all denominations. Strengths of the Liberal view: Emphasizes the necessity of the Church to carry on Christ s mission of mercy, love, and acceptance. Recognizes the diversity of Christian beliefs. Seeks to unify the Church under one purpose. Weaknesses of the Liberal view: Fails to realize the importance of truth. Places orthopraxy (right practice) ahead of orthodoxy (right belief). The Church cannot have unity without a common confession about who Christ is and what the significance of His death is. 2. Liberation view Belief: The Church is Christ s liberating presence on the earth that represents Christ in fighting for those who are oppressed through social injustice and governmental abuse. Adherents: Gustavo Gutierrez, many Roman Catholics primarily in Latin America. Strengths of the Liberation view: Rightly understands the impact that the Church can have on the culture. Recognizes the severity of social injustice and the need for Christians to stand against atrocities. Weaknesses of the Liberation view: Fails to realize the importance of truth.

5 Places orthopraxy ahead of orthodoxy. The Church cannot have unity without a common confession about who Christ is and what the significance of His death is. Fails to realize that governmental and societal oppression, while not ideal, is not always a bad thing. Maybe within God's will sometimes. 3. Roman Catholic view Belief: The Church is the institutional authority given by God, led by the Pope, which Christ uses to administer His grace. It includes all those who submit to its mandates, doctrine, and instructions. Adherents: Most Roman Catholics pre- Vatican II (1965) Strengths of the Roman Catholic view: Sees the visible Church as an important component in the plan of God. Creates unity of doctrine and practice. Weaknesses of the Roman Catholic view: Fails to realize the importance of the unity that the Holy Spirit gives to all those who have been justified by faith. Gives the institutional Church sacramental power that is not granted to it by God. The power is not in the sacrament itself but in the Holy Spirit working in the heart of the recipient. While it creates unity, it does not tend to recognize diversity. 4. Evangelical Protestant view Belief: The Church is the body of Christ composed of all those who have been justified by faith alone. Adherents: All Evangelical Protestants. Strengths of the Evangelical Protestant view: Rightly understands the unity that the Holy Spirit brings to all believers, creating an invisible Church. Creates unity of doctrine that is limited to who Christ is, why He died on the cross, and how His death applies to us. Understands the priesthood of all believers and that we do not need an institution in order to come to God. We have direct access as believers to God. Recognizes that Christ is the Head of the Church. Weaknesses of the Evangelical Protestant view: Can emphasize the invisible Church to the neglect of the local Church.

6 Can create an individualistic attitude that fails to see that sanctification happens in a community of believers, not in isolation. Can neglect the importance of social outreach (physical needs, environmental concerns, etc.). Can easily create disunity because of the under- emphasis of church authority. 3) What is the relationship between Israel and the Church? Must begin by looking at the four covenants that God made over time with His people Abrahamic Covenant: The covenant that God made with Abraham, promising an eternal inheritance of land, a posterity as numerous as the sands of the sea, and that Abraham would be a blessing to all people (Gen. 12:1 3; 15: :1 8). 2. Mosaic Covenant: The conditional covenant that God made with Israel at Mount Sinai that promised blessings for obedience to the Law and curses for disobedience (Ex. 19:3 8; Deut ). 3. Davidic Covenant: The unconditional covenant that God made with David, promising that David would always have an heir on his throne (2 Sam. 7:1 16). 4. New Covenant: The unconditional covenant that God made to give His people a new way of relating to Him through the forgiveness of sin and by changing them from within (Jer. 31:31 34; Ez. 37:26 28). Three views on the relationship between Israel and the Church: 1. Replacement (Covenant) Theology Belief: The Church is made up of the people of God of all time. Israel has been replaced by the Church as the people of God, and the Church inherits the promises of Israel. Also known as supercessionism. Adherents: Covenant theologians, Presbyterians, Anglican, Methodist, Roman Catholics, most Reformed theologians. Argument in support: The Abrahamic Covenant is fulfilled by the Church. Israel, as an ethnic people, rejected the Messiah, and God gave their promises to the Church, which fulfills them spiritually. (Gal. 3:7-9, 26 29; Rom. 9:6 7a) The Davidic Covenant is fulfilled through the fact that Christ is now reigning with God and in the hearts of all believers. The kingdom of God is a current reality and is represented by the Church. (Heb. 8:1; Luke 10:9 11) Christ instituted the New Covenant with the Church that replaces the Old Covenant made with Israel. (Jer. 31:31 33; Lk. 22:19 20)

7 This was the majority view throughout Church history, embraced by Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, John Calvin, Martin Luther, John Wesley, Charles Spurgeon, and Jonathan Edwards, who all believed that the Church replaced Israel. 2. Classic Dispensationalism Source: The Theology Program, Credo House Ministries Belief: The Church is the body of believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit, distinct from Israel, began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Ethnic Israel still has a future in the program of God due to the Abrahamic Covenant. Adherents: Baptists, Independent Churches, Dallas Theological Seminary. Argument in support: The Bible makes it clear that the Church is a distinct new group that did not exist until Christ. (Matt. 16:18) God's promise to give Abraham physical descendents who would possess the land forever was unconditional. (Gen. 15; Ezek. 37:21 28) The promise God made to Abraham to give physical descendents who would possess the land forever can only be fulfilled by ethnic Israel. (Gen. 15:1 4) Paul clearly sees a future for ethnic Israel that is distinct from that of the Church. (Rom. 11:1, 25 29)

8 Source: The Theology Program, Credo House Ministries 3. Progressive Dispensationalism Belief: The Church is the body of believers indwelt by the Holy Spirit, distinct from Israel, that began on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2). Ethnic Israel and the Church will be one people of God, as we all benefit from the covenants that have been progressively fulfilled and broadened throughout the ages. Adherents: Darrel Bock, Robert Saucy, Craig Blaising. Arguments in support: This view combines the arguments made of both Replacement Theology and Classic Dispensationalism Source: The Theology Program, Credo House Ministries An effort to reconciling Replacement and Dispensationalism Progressive Covenentalism: Synthesizes the valid points of all positions. Begins with the first covenant of redemption made in the Garden. Understands that ethnic Israel has a future. Understands that the establishing of the Church is an advancement in God's program, just as the creation of Israel was an advancement. Recognizes the historic and future unity of all the people of God. Focuses on the grace and sovereignty of God as expressed through His covenants.

9 Source: The Theology Program, Credo House Ministries 4) What are the similarities and differences between the Church and Israel? Similarities: Both are considered God s chosen people, a Holy Nation, and a Kingdom of Priests. Both emphasize salvation by faith. Differences: Ethnic law (Israel) vs. Universal grace (the Church) The Law that changes from the outside in (Israel) vs. The Spirit that changes from the inside out (the Church) A functional relationship with God based on the Law (Israel) vs. a functional relationship with God based on forgiveness through Christ (the Church) Unity under a national theocracy (Israel) vs. unity under a spiritual theocracy (the Church) "And I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church." Source: The Nicean Creed - adopted in 325 at the First Council of Nicaea One emphasizes the unity of the Church through the common confession of the Gospel and the indwelling Holy Spirit in all true believers. Holy refers to the holey call of the Church. Catholic refers to the universal nature of the Church, which is open to all people, not

10 just a single ethnic group. Apostolic emphasizes the adherence to the orthodox beliefs of the Church, which can be traced back to the writings of the apostles in the New Testament. The Church can be thought of as the unified, continued presence of Christ, composed of all people who have trusted in the Gospel of Christ. 5) What is the millennium and what are the different views on it held across the church? Eschatology = the study of the last things Eschatomania: A radical preoccupation with studying the end times by making adherence to detailed theological schemes and chart maps the litmus test for orthodoxy. Eschatomaniacs are often sensationalistic and unbalanced. Eschatophobia: A radical fear of the study of end times by people who believe that making any positive or detailed observations concerning the end times is radical, sensational, and unnecessarily divisive. Millennium = 1000 years, literally Key Scripture reference: Revelation 20:1-9 Three Different views of the Millennium 1. Premillennialism The belief that in the future Christ will come and set up His kingdom on earth and reign for one thousand years. Church and Israel: Distinctly different. Tribulation: Future apocalyptic judgment of God. Next prophetic event: Rapture (pretribulation Dispensational Premillenialists); Great Tribulation (mid- tribulation Dispensational Premillenialists); second coming of Christ to set up the millennial kingdom (post- tribulation Historic Premillenialists). Supporting passages: Revelation 20, Acts 1:6-7, Matt 6:9-10, 2 Sam. 7:1 16 Adherents: o Historic Premillenialists: Early Church fathers, Covenant Premillenialists, Millard Erickson, George Ladd o Dispensational Premillenialists: Nelson Darby, C.I. Schofield, Dallas Seminary, Gleason Archer

11 Source: The Theology Program, Credo House Ministries 2. Postmillennialism The belief that the Church ushers in the millennium through the triumph of the Gospel. Church and Israel: Church has replaced Israel. Great Tribulation: Past and/or present struggle with the forces of evil. Next prophetic event: Second coming of Christ and the New Heavens and New Earth. Supporting passages: Matt , 1 Cor. 15:25, Matt. 13:31-33, Matt. 16:18 Adherents: George Whitfield, Charles Hodge, Jonathan Edwards, B. B. Warfield. Source: The Theology Program, Credo House Ministries

12 3. Amillennialism The belief that there is no literal millennium, but that the millennium is symbolic of a present reality realized through Christ s reign in Heaven and within the hearts of believers. Church and Israel: Church has replaced Israel Great Tribulation: Past and present struggle with the forces of evil. Next prophetic event: Second coming of Christ and the New Heaven and New Earth. Supporting passages: Matt. 12:28, Mk. 1:14-15, Lk. 17:20-21, Matt. 28:18-20, 2 Pt. 3:9-10, 2 Thess. 1:5-10 Adherents: Origen, Augustine, Roman Catholic Church, Reformers, L. Berkhof Source: The Theology Program, Credo House Ministries Relative Theological Importance Index (RTI Index): 3 Is NOT critical to salvation Is NOT critical to sanctification Is NOT critical to our mission but impacts our view on other theological issues (evangelism, baptism, global missions, etc.) Is an important source of our future hope Has resulted in much division within the Church 6) What is Foundations Church's view on the church and end times?

13 The Church We believe that the true church is comprised of all who have been justified by God's grace through faith in Christ alone, unified by the Holy Spirit, and under the Headship of Christ. The true church is holy, universal, and apostolic, and is manifest in local churches, whose membership should be composed only of believers. The Lord Jesus mandated two ordinances - baptism and the Lord s Supper, which visibly and tangibly demonstrate the gospel message. Though they are not the means of salvation, when celebrated by the church in genuine faith, these ordinances encourage, confirm, and nourish the believer. Christ s Return We believe in the personal and bodily return of our Lord Jesus Christ at a time in the future that is unknown to all but God. The promise of His second coming is a great source of hope, encouragement, and expectation, which motivates the believer to godly living, sacrificial love, and fervent mission. 7) Discussion Questions: 1. How is the church different from a Bible study or a spiritual retreat? 2. What are some issues relating to the end times that Christians differ on and how should they deal with these differences? 3. How does your present view of the millennium affect your Christian life today?