Linda Clifton-Jones
Week 4 Assignment: The Power of the Church Dialogue
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LThe Power of the Church
‘A major episode in the story of Christian theology is the transformation of the Christian religion from a disunited, spiritual-pneumatic (charismatic), virtually underground sect within the Roman Empire to a highly organized, hierarchical, visible institution that by the end of the third century was a permanent fixture on the landscape of the empire.’ [1] (Olson 124) Olson, from The Story of Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform, speaks of ‘three main developments together that make up the transformation of early Christianity: the formalization of its hierarchical organizational structure centering on bishops, the formalization of creeds summarizing the essentials of the belief in order to be a Christian, and the identification of a canon of Christian Scriptures.’ [2]
Olson states ‘that the reasons for the developments are touched upon; first, the disappearance of apostles presented the church with a crisis of authority. The Gnosticism posed a threat to the doctrine of Christianity, forcing the 2nd century Christians to look to powerful leaders to squelch it.’ [3] Second, Olson says, ‘persecution forced the church to deal with issues that required stronger leadership.’ After that, who decides which Christians would be allowed back into their leadership roles, or which ones would be excluded, resulting in traitors to the faith by denying Christ and collaborating with authorities.’ Third, because of the erring of bishops, the church was forced to develop a strong hierarchy, creeds, confession of faith, and a canon of Christian Scriptures.’ [4] (Olson 125)
Shelley, from Church History, recognizes that ‘Constantine’s conversion to Christianity and his victory over his enemies, “inspired by the Godhead,” marked a turning point in history. The turning around of an empire represents the passing of the Age of Catholic Christianity, which meant the Christianization of the empire and the imperial interference (fallout) in the church’s affairs began.’ [5] (Shelley 97)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
[1] Roger E. Olson, The Story of the Christian Theology: Twenty Centuries of Tradition & Reform, (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press: IVP Academic, 1999), 124.
[2] Ibid.
[3] Ibid., 124-25.
[4] Ibid., 125.
[5] Bruce L. Shelley, Church History in Plain Language, 4th ed., (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson: HarperCollins Christian Publishing, 2013), 97.
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Nancy Earp
The Power of the Church
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The Power of the Church.
This is an incredibly difficult subject to broach. When I think about Jesus and His teachings on the Kingdom of God, it was never about “power,” control, or even a hierarchy. The way Jesus spoke about the Kingdom of God was not a where, but a when. Meaning the Kingdom of God is at hand; it is right now.
“They devoted themselves to the apostle’s teach and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer… the broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.”[1]The early church was essentially in-home churches without pastor, bishop, deacon, or priest, and numbers were add to The Way daily. There should always be a place for productive discipleship, however this does not mean that a religious institution or lead should have any power over and individual. There is a drastic difference between power and discipleship. True discipleship is done in love and kindness like Jesus.
It is important for a church to set forth a “code of ethics” for its members. With the understanding that these are values, principles and standards to which we aspire. As Christian’s our goal is to live like Christ, and as Roman 3:23 tells us, “all have sinned al fall short of the glory of God.”[2] None of us have attained the perfection of Christ, but we press on and do our best to reach His holy standard. This is not to say that criminal or illegal activity should go unpunished, by members or church leaders. However, the reality is that a code of ethics will differ from person to person, personal convictions are just that, personal. Rather an enforcement, there should be a discipleship. Rather than an excommunication or discipline, there should be encouragement and guidance. “These Christian communities tried to regulate their common life by principles of the strictest morality, toleration no unholy members in their midst. Gross sinners were ejected from the church.”[3]
The autonomy of a believer is essential to true faith and love. Without the right to decide for ourselves we are lost in an endless cycle of indoctrination, and simply believing things without knowing why we believe them. If PROPER discipleship and teachings are in place, as believers grow in self-governing, they make decisions that are based out the greatest commandments that Jesus lays out. “Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”[4] Jesus’ ministry was never about control or power, but love.
The reach of the church body in society can be summed up in Isaiah 1:7; “Learn to do good. Seek Justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of the orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.” I believe we live in a free nation, not a Christian nation. I believe the church should be a safe haven for the refugee and the oppressed, and that we should be defending the rights of all people. Those we agree with and disagree with. I believe individuals in the church have the right to autonomy and figuring out their personal convictions as it pertains to their religion. I do not believe ultimate power and absolute authority in church is healthy. When we discuss church power and control, it is hard not to think of the BITE model. In extreme cases, when the church exerts excessive control of an individual’s Behavior, Information, Thoughts, and Emotions it creates and unhealthy dependency.[5] In this dependency church members live with fear of failure, pressure to perform, and anxiety to meet expectations. In my pursuit to become a mental health counselor, I have had many conversations with individuals who have served or are currently serving in environments where the lead pastor seeming has complete power and control over their day to day life, and I have firsthand seen the psychological distress these individuals live in.
[1] “Bible Gateway Passage: Acts 2 – New International Version,” Bible Gateway, accessed April 7, 2022, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NIV.
[2] “Bible Gateway Passage: Romans 3:23 – English Standard Version,” Bible Gateway, accessed April 7, 2022, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+3%3A23&version=ESV.
[3] Bruce L. Shelley, “Chapter 7: The School for Sinners,” in Church History in Plain Language (Zondervan, 2021), p. 78.
[4] “Bible Gateway Passage: Matthew 22:36-40 – New International Version,” Bible Gateway, accessed April 7, 2022, https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A36-40&version=NIV.
[5] South Florida Web Advisors, “Steven Hassan’s Bite Model of Authoritarian Control,” Freedom of Mind Resource Center, last modified February 22, 2021, accessed April 7, 2022, https://freedomofmind.com/cult-mind-control/bite-model/.
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