Hey all!
I have been working through Wolfgang Vondey’s newest book, People of Bread: Rediscovering Ecclesiology. (“Ecclesiology” means “the study of the Church as a biblical and theological topic”) Now the Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Regent University’s School of Divinity, Vondey is a COGTS alumnus. He is originally from Germany and was raised Roman Catholic. But now he is an ordained minister in the Church of God. It reminds me of what a good friend said a few years back, “Catholics make good Pentecostals.” (But that’s another post altogether.)
This week, I would like to explore some important points in chapter one – A New Image for the Church: Reviving the Theological Imagination
Throughout the Scriptures there are numerous images which represent greater (sometimes ineffable) objects and/or realities.
Whether pictures, symbols, figures, metaphors, or analogies,¹ these images “stand between us and the reality we envision, often because we have no direct recourse to the object itself” (p. 14). This is not to say that the image is just like the object which it represents, but that there is a relationship between the image and its object. ”Images help us visualize, illuminate, and comprehend, in the true sense of the word, ‘to imagine’ a reality that is otherwise distant, invisible, and incomprehensible” (p. 14). And no one biblical image portrays the fullness of God, the Church, etc. Hence, there are various images used in the Scriptures which together portray the dynamic reality behind what they represent.
When talking about the nature and purpose of the Church, early Christian writers commented on images used especially in the NT. Of note, the most popular images discussed were concerning the Church as the people of God, the Body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Such an emphasis was “greatly influenced by the emerging doctrine of the Trinity” (p. 16). Yet, there were other early Christian writers who suggested additional images.
- Clement of Rome (1st century bishop) used the image of the Church as Christ’s army.
- The 2nd century document, Shepherd of Hermas, used the idea of the Church as a primal creation of God, represented by the image of an old woman.
- Cyprian of Carthage used the image of Noah’s ark, the sun and its rays, a tree and its branches, and a fountain and its many streams to illustrate the unity of the Church.
- Cyprian, Tertullian and Augustine often called the Church “mother.”
- Hilary of Poitiers, Ambrose and Jerome also referred to the Church as a woman.
Importantly, when the early Christian writers used additional images, they were careful to relate such images to the thought world of the NT.
What are some images of the Church which you have heard or used that attempt to capture the nature and purpose of the Church (or God, salvation, etc.)? What are some of the benefits of the image/s? What are some dangers in these images? Is there a particular image that you remember from childhood (or another time) that helped you understand a difficult theological idea?
Peace,
Shannon
¹ Paul Minear notes some ninety-six images of the Church in the NT. See Vondey, People of Bread, p. 15.
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
As a child I was always bothered by the image of Noahs ark as it started to float and desperate people,usually women with infants in their arms, were reaching out for help that was not coming. It almost always led me to thinking about how could a God ,who I was being taught was good and loving, could just let them die. Is this what your asking about? Glad to see your back! Hope this means your feeling better. We miss yall. john(Quote)
Just stopped by and read this post and wanted you to know and to welcome you back to the blogosphere.
Will think about your questions but right off the rop of my head I can’t come up with any images I have heard or used myself other than the ones you used here.
Love you all Sonny(Quote)
I once heard a preacher talk about the nature of the Trinity using the different forms that water takes. For example, water, when it is frozen is ice (a solid), at room temperature is a liquid and at extremely high temperatures becomes a gas. The preacher then described the different forms that God can take as Father, Son and Spirit. While this image has its benefits in giving someone an idea about how one God can be three, it also has its limitations.
For instance, it is rare for all three forms of water to occur at one time, while God eternally exists in three persons. And, it is not the case that God just appears to us in different forms but is really one person (this is called modalism). God is three-in-one in perfect unity and community. The early church referred to this relationship as the “perichoresis,” which means the divine dance (an image I find more helpful in describing the Trinity). Dee Mimbs(Quote)
John,
Thanks for your comment. I’m feeling a bit better, though nowhere near normal yet. Since I couldn’t be at church today, I spent the day doing some casual reading (digging into Vondey’s work).
You bring up an excellent point about the image of Noah’s ark. I have heard some preacher’s use Noah’s ark as an image of salvation. The ark would represent those who enter into God’s means of salvation (which some say represents Jesus) and those who perish in the waters were those who refused to heed God’s word of life (unbelievers). As you mentioned, this in fact is a somber and sobering picture of the consequences of sin.
We love and miss you all as well. I heard that you went to “The Bridge” on Saturday. Did you guys have a good turnout? What did you all do?
Blessings Shannon Mimbs(Quote)
Hey Sonny,
Thanks for the email earlier. I’m feeling a bit better, just weak. When I was reading of Clement of Rome’s image of the Church being “God’s Army,” it reminded me of some of our conversations.
Hope you’re feeling better as well. Blessings.
Shannon Mimbs(Quote)
we had a nice time with the bridge folks. they gave their testamonies and had an open discussion of what ever anyone wanted to talk about. I think yall are doing a good thing. I hope your group will be very fruitfull. john(Quote)
Hello Shannon,
Congratulations on your blog on theological reflections. Thank you for your discussion of my book, People of Bread. Other books worth reading on the idea of the imagination include the book you mention by Paul Minear, Images of the Church in the New Testament (which has been republished), and the classic work by Avery Dulles, Models of the Church. Keep up the good work!
Blessings,
Wolfgang Vondey
PS: Catholics make good Pentecostals, but the reverse is also true. Wolfgang Vondey(Quote)
Dr. Vondey,
It is a delight to have you respond here on the blog. I came across your book while I was studying the subject of hospitality (in God and the Church). I look forward to working through the remaining material. Also, thanks so much for the book recommendations that you mentioned. Please feel free to check back anytime and share with us your thoughts.
Blessings to you and your family
Shannon Mimbs(Quote)
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