tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post4782048613789035444..comments2024-03-28T10:26:20.408-04:00Comments on Ponderings on a Faith Journey: Adventurous Theology #8: Making It Up as You Go Along (Bruce Epperly)Robert Cornwallhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04581876323110725024noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22980286.post-26894824343355108312010-11-10T07:44:08.164-05:002010-11-10T07:44:08.164-05:00Bruce,
I was surprised that in your commentary on...Bruce,<br /><br />I was surprised that in your commentary on this section of Acts you were content to let the section on the Jerusalem council in Acts, especially the declarations of 15:13-21, pass without comment.<br /><br />In my interpretation of this section, not only does the mere existence of the council and the authority it presumes suggest volumes to the church today about structure and hierarchy, but it carries a strong message about the expectation of Christian unity as a whole. Beyond that it carries messages about Christianity's explicitly Jewish roots as well as the relative freedom Christians are granted in pursuing their faith - in essence allowing them a high degree of freedom to "make it up as they go."<br /><br />As for the suggested role and authority of councils, the occurrence of the Jerusalem Council suggests to me that councils are empowered to make new 'catholic' rules for circumstances not previously anticipated in Scripture in any meaningful way. While Scripture anticipates the day when all nations will worship at the Temple of God, and calls for and praises all people who follow the commandments of God, what that actually translates into, in terms of the beliefs and faith practices of the converted nations, is never meaningfully addressed. That is, until the Jerusalem Council pronounces those rules. <br /><br />As for Christian unity, what I see happening is that the leadership of the church meeting in council at that time and place to locate commonalities which will allow the various heterogeneous congregations around the world, with their divergent beliefs and practices to move forward as a united whole. Notice, a common creed is not included among the requirements! While it might be suggested that this was because there was unanimity of teaching at that time Paul's letter suggest the opposite.<br /><br />JohnJohnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06245470576919732592noreply@blogger.com