Interesting. It’s hard for me to imagine how that doesn’t develop into councils and creeds and formal ecclesiastical hierarchies over time.
I think if you asked a 1-15th century Christian what they thought of “mere Christianity” you’d likely get the answer “you’re talking about Catholicity. That’s great! Do you need a copy of the catechism?”
But from early on the catechism you would be handed would be pretty different depending on your social location and time, especially if you asked that question in Rome, Constantinople, Kiev, or Addis Ababa. One Protestant vision *might be* that those councils, creeds, and formal hierarchies all just stays in the local community rooted in that particular social location...they just manifest as "doctrinal statements" "org charts" and "boards/committees" that are meant only for that local community, but are informed by the larger vision and interpretations of the global/historic church. Again, I know I'm a "pope" :) I just think popes should be lower case and stay in Rome.
It’s nice going back and forth on the internet with some one about how much you agree :)
I do think it’s easy to overestimate how much autonomy the pope actually carries. He’s a bishop. The first among equals. The other bishops have autonomy in their jurisdictions in pretty much the same format you’ve outlined. The pope’s main job is to encourage unity between them.
Oh by the way. I’m from Park Hill. Your shameless plug at our house of learning got you at least one subscriber but I know there are more. Thanks for serving us so well.
Oh no you're not missing anything! This is basically a localized, smaller magisterium. As I say in the essay, the Lead Pastor is the "pope" figure, but the structure of biblical interpretation is kept inside the confines of the values of each local assembly (this is *ours* and ours only...for now?). So there are important distinguishing factors in that the interpretation is led from inside the local church's leadership and kept for the local church's benefit, not developed and kept in Italy. Because of this localized nature, it also allows for doctrinal development to happen in a very different way (probably a longer post). As I say, you can tell which one I believe is best for believers and for "Mere Christianity" to thrive :)
The connection with the larger Christian community/tradition is related your education/training/seminary, and the source for finding your next pastor. These are the typical Protestant links to the larger community.
Isn’t your well articulated essay the same way the magisterium works? I think Im missing the difference in your distinctions.
Interesting. It’s hard for me to imagine how that doesn’t develop into councils and creeds and formal ecclesiastical hierarchies over time.
I think if you asked a 1-15th century Christian what they thought of “mere Christianity” you’d likely get the answer “you’re talking about Catholicity. That’s great! Do you need a copy of the catechism?”
But from early on the catechism you would be handed would be pretty different depending on your social location and time, especially if you asked that question in Rome, Constantinople, Kiev, or Addis Ababa. One Protestant vision *might be* that those councils, creeds, and formal hierarchies all just stays in the local community rooted in that particular social location...they just manifest as "doctrinal statements" "org charts" and "boards/committees" that are meant only for that local community, but are informed by the larger vision and interpretations of the global/historic church. Again, I know I'm a "pope" :) I just think popes should be lower case and stay in Rome.
It’s nice going back and forth on the internet with some one about how much you agree :)
I do think it’s easy to overestimate how much autonomy the pope actually carries. He’s a bishop. The first among equals. The other bishops have autonomy in their jurisdictions in pretty much the same format you’ve outlined. The pope’s main job is to encourage unity between them.
Oh by the way. I’m from Park Hill. Your shameless plug at our house of learning got you at least one subscriber but I know there are more. Thanks for serving us so well.
Thank you, Matt! Love it...your comments have spurred me to sharpen my thinking. I love your church! +1 subscriber yessss
Oh no you're not missing anything! This is basically a localized, smaller magisterium. As I say in the essay, the Lead Pastor is the "pope" figure, but the structure of biblical interpretation is kept inside the confines of the values of each local assembly (this is *ours* and ours only...for now?). So there are important distinguishing factors in that the interpretation is led from inside the local church's leadership and kept for the local church's benefit, not developed and kept in Italy. Because of this localized nature, it also allows for doctrinal development to happen in a very different way (probably a longer post). As I say, you can tell which one I believe is best for believers and for "Mere Christianity" to thrive :)
Really well and concisely said. Thanks.
The connection with the larger Christian community/tradition is related your education/training/seminary, and the source for finding your next pastor. These are the typical Protestant links to the larger community.