Towards an Adventist Version of Communio Ecclesiology

This book explores how Seventh-day Adventists, like other Christians, can benefit from generating their own version of communio ecclesiology. It starts by offering a critical analysis of the status quo of the existing Adventist portrayal of church as remnant, and suggests potential ways of moving this tradition forward. To articulate a more rounded and comprehensive vision of the church's rich and multifaceted relational nature, this book draws on the mainstream Christian koinonia-based framework. Consequently, it provides possible solutions to some of the most divisive ecclesial issues that Christian communities face today regarding church structure, ministry, mission, communal interpretation, and reform. As it sets on a new footing the conversation between Adventism and other mainstream Christian traditions, the methodology of this book serves as a pathway for any Christian community to use when revisiting and enhancing its own current theologies of the church.

Autorentext

Tihomir Lazi works as a Lecturer in Systematic Theology at the Newbold College of Higher Education in England, and as the Director of Public Campus Ministry (or Student Ministry) at the Trans-European Division of the Seventh-day Adventist church.

Inhalt

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

(I) The context of this research

(II) The purpose, method and significance of this research

(III) The ecumenical setting of this research

(IV) The structure of this research

(V) The limitations of this research

PART I: CHURCH AS REMNANT: SETTING THE STAGE

CHAPTER 2: SEVENTH-DAY ADVENTISM AT A CROSSROADS

(I) Origins and development of an Adventist theological identity

(II) The Adventist quest for truth: Christ in the sanctuary as the main hermeneutical horizon

(III) The need for further ecclesiological engagement in Adventism

CHAPTER 3: ADVENTIST REMNANT ECCLESIOLOGY: A BRIEF HISTORICAL AND BIBLIOGRAPHICAL SURVEY

(I) Adventism as God's end-time remnant church

(II) Other foundational concepts

(III) Organized to proclaim

(IV) Consolidation of the remnant outlook

CHAPTER 4: A CRITICAL ASSESSMENT OF ADVENTIST UNDERSTANDING OF THE CHURCH AS REMNANT

(I) The first inadequacy: The lack of systematic reasoning

(II) The second inadequacy: The neglect of ontological definition (III) The third inadequacy: The reductionist concept of truth </...