Historical Perspective from the 19th Century to Pius XII to Vatican II - Essay Example

Theology of the Church II A. Lesson 3: Discussion questions Discuss the historical perspective ofthe Dulles and McCormic article Dulles models of the church institution, mystical communion, herald, communion, and servant, as well as discipleship. In his article on “A half century of Ecclesiology,” Dulles defines the Catholic Church in the Neo-Scholasticism period prior to Vatican II (1940-1965) and post-Vatican II (1965-1989). Prior to Vatican II, the church was a hierarchical society with no democracy or charisma, and under the leadership of Peter’s successor or Pope. The Pope was Christ’s vicar and the ruler of the society (Dulles 440). The post Vatican II achievements highlighted by Dules include liturgy renewal, emphasizing the sacristy of the scriptures, reevaluation on the concept of authority, religious liberty, and acceptance of the world. McCormick (3), concentrated on moral theology that was a part of institutional models. The attributes of moral theology were confession-based, sin-centered, seminary-controlled, and magisterium-dominated. 2. Discuss the historical perspective from the 19th century to Pius XII to Vatican II Until the 19th century, the Catholic Church was a hierarchical society that was under the leadership of the Pope as the successor of Peter. Inspired by the realization that Christians were capable of affiliating with true church in varying ways, Pope Pius XII in mystici Corporis introduced the concept of mystical body theology. The emphasis by Pius XII was on visible and invisible unity as the body of Christ. The mystical body is identified as the Catholic Church and no one would be a true member of the mystical body without being a member of the Roman Catholic Church (Vatican Council II #64 907). In addition, members of the mystical body had to be bound by faith, sacrament, and obedience in order to partake the Holy communion. Vatican II however emphasized the image of the people of God and its development to imply hierarchical and institutional structures. However, there were no detriments to its authority. However, Vatican Council II distanced itself from referring to the Catholic church subsist in the Church of Christ thereby Leaving room for other Christian communities (Dulles 430). 3. Tension between are Catholic Ecclesiology need for a. Clear institutional theology structure One weakness of the institutional model is in the tensions arising between the church as a mystical communion of grace and friendly interpersonal relationships. As a social organization, the church needs of charisma are crucial in understanding the tensions intrinsic in the humans and theological tasks of the church. The church needs charismatic priests and this is only achievable through clarification of the needs of priests as humans hence their role on church as an institution (Dulles 440). b. In addition, the desire for a spiritual (mystical) appreciation that transcends such structures Mystical model introduces the divine aspect of the church and shows the salvific plan fully unveiled by God through Jesus Christ. As the sacrament of Christ, the Church is the visible sign of the reality of salvation through Jesus Christ, and in this notion, the institutional structures are surpassed. Lesson Four: Essay 1. Description of the ecclesiology contained within Orthodox Christian Theology and Pentecostal or Evangelical Protestant Theology Ecclesiology concerns itself the nature and theological examination of the Christian church. In this regard, the ecclesiology of the orthodox Christian theology delves into the various denominational characters of the churches such as Greek orthodox, Russian orthodox, Eastern orthodox and so forth (Garneau and Schwadel 235). The split officially occurred in 1054 a period when the drift between the two groups was irreparable and very evident (Oliphant and Russell 223). Ecumenical (124), reveals that, like the Catholic Church, Orthodox Church holds to the Bible, the supporter’s doctrine and the Niceno-Constantinopolitan doctrine. The ecclesiology of the Eastern Orthodox Church believes in the existence of one church despite its presence in many places (Dulles 89). In this regard, its operation is tagged with a unity in plurality and plurality in unity. Moreover, the Orthodox Church makes no effort to subordinate one church to the many, as evident in the Protestant theology, nor subordinating many churches to one as the case for the Roman Catholic. It is consequently, theologically and canonically right to talk of the churches and the Church and vice versa. In assessing the ecclesiology of the Roman Catholic Church, there are several inherent contents. Foremost, it views the Catholic Church institution as the sole apostolic and holy Church. Moreover, the Catholic Church is regarded as the only one with an apostolic origin and upholding the utmost divinity (Garneau and Schwadel 321). Furthermore, the hierarchy of the spiritual leaders in the Catholic Church is derived via the apostolic succession. In this regard, the overall successor ship of the Pope, otherwise known as the Bishop of Rome, is attributed to the founder apostle known as St. Peter. Evidently, the Catholic doctrine states that Christ passed on the keys to the Heavenly Kingdom to St Paul .Therefore, by apostolic succession the Pope is believed to possess a God ordained duty over all the Churches on Earth. The ecclesiology of the Pentecostal or evangelical protestant theology rose in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church dogmatic doctrine of its stature as the infallible and undisputed holy and divine church on Earth. In this regard, the Pentecostal or evangelical protestant theology credits itself with the process of reformation of the Church through radicalization of the dogmatic doctrines of the Catholic Church. Its belief system states that the true congregation of God is those that have been born again in Christ name and have received the Holy Spirit to transform their mind and deeds, lead a sin free life by adhering to God’s commandments and will. 2. Contrast of the Orthodox Christian theology and Pentecostal or Evangelical Protestant Theology with the Old and Russell articles. According to the Old and Russell articles, there is one major contrast narrative in discussing the ecclesiology of the Evangelical protestant theology and the orthodox Christian theology. In this regard, the articles examine whether they are protesting or progressing (Unit 2 Lesson 4 Podcast). In this regard, the protestors within the protestant theology are viewed as agitating on the doctrine of’ salvation faith, scriptural authority and denial and objection toward the spiritual authority and devotionalism of the Roman Catholic Church. Moreover, the Old and Russel articles show that protestant theology has desisted from accepting the methodical ethical issues of Roman Catholic Church such the gospel of life according to John Paul 2. They have equally opposed the communitarian ethic of Roman Catholic Church such as the mystical body of Christ on Earth or the call of the congregation to the church by Christ. On the flip side, the Protestants believe that people are called to Salvation by Christ. Evidently, there are some areas of agreement between the ‘protesting Protestants’ and orthodox Christian theology especially within the Roman Catholic church. These include equal opposition to issues such as same sex marriage and abortion (Unit 2 Lesson 4 Podcast). The Old and Russell articles also categorize the Protestants into the ‘progressive Protestants.’ In this regard, the progressive Protestants are not held hostage to the classic reformation doctrines of some protestant ecclesiology but more concerned with addressing social oppression and current injustices. For example, the ‘progressive Protestants’ view abortion beyond the precincts of just a right but also as an extension of God’s justice for women folk. 3. Assess the role of the Church’s infallibility and, as Kereszty mentions, its virginity. Suggest how such terminology might remain relevant for your chosen perspectives. The Catholic Church also relies on the aspect of apostolicity (Kereszty 375) that links to the Marian mystery. The implication of the Marian mystery views the church as the spouse of and mother of the church and so are distinctive Christians with firm hope, intact faith and genuine charity in themselves who according to Vatican Council II #64l 4: 19 give birth to Christ in their higher perfection state (377). Vatican Council II #64 (903-905), acknowledges that the church is the body of Christ and since the church is the people of God, the church in the world is the body of Christ. The church in contemporary times should have increased understanding of self and its relationships relative to the world. The Vatican II documents therefore acknowledges the limitations of contemporary church, its service to the society, the need for dialogue with the world, views the church as no longer perfect, and recognizes its central role in witnessing to the Gospel (Vatican Council II #64 998-999). References Dulles, Avery. "A Half Century of Ecclessiology." Theological Studies 50 (1989): 419-442. Ecumenical. "Problems and Prospects of the Anglican-Catholic Dialogue." Ecumenical problems. n.d. 69-138. Garneau, Christopher, R and Phillip Schwadel. "Pentecostal Affiliation." Rev Religion Research 55 (2013): 339-353. Kereszty, Roch. "The Infallibility of the church: A Marian Mystery." Communio: International Catholic Review 38 (2011): 374-390. Mackin, Robert, Sean. "Liberation Theology: The Radicalization of Social Catholic Movements." Politics Religion and Ideology 13.3 (2012): 333-351. McCormick, Richard, A. "Moral Theology 1940-1989: An Overview." Theological Studies 1 (1989): 412-443. Oliphant, Hughes and Letty, M Russell. "Why Bother With the Church? The Church and its Worship." Placher, William, C. Essentials of Christian Theology. Louisvile, KY: Westminister/John Knox, 2003. 221-255. Pius XII, Pope,. MYstici Corporis Christi. 7 July 1943. 25 August 2014 . Unit 2 Lesson 4 Podcast. Protesting or Progressing. Graduating and Profesional studies. Maine: Saint Joseph;s College of Maine, n.d. Vatican Council II #64, 903-1001. "Gaudium et Spes: Pastrora Consititution of the church in The Modern World." n.d. Read More