Developing a Biblical Ecclesiology Lecture
Yesterday, I had the awesome opportunity to present a lecture on ecclesiology. Dave Black asked me to speak to one of his New Testament classes on the topic “How has my view of the church and issues related to the church changed in the last few years?”
Besides being honored by the opportunity to speak, I was also thrilled to be able to present a more complete view of my understanding of the church. Here on my blog and in occasional conversations, I usually talk about one or two specific issues related to the church, but I rarely have the opportunity to present an overview of my ecclesiology. I used this lecture as an opportunity to present a more complete explanation of my ecclesiology, as well as an explanation of why I began looking into issues related to the church.
I started the lecture by looking at a few issues of hermeneutics, and asking the following question: When it comes to ecclesiology, do we start with our practices and justify our practices from Scripture; or do we start with Scripture and allow Scripture to both inform and form our ecclesiology? I think the results of these two ways of approaching ecclesiology will lead to vastly different understandings of the church. I also discuss the nature of the church, the meeting of the church, the leaders of the church, and the work of the church.
If you are interested in hearing this lecture (and seeing the PowerPoint presentation that went along with the lecture). you will find links here: www.alanknox.net/resources. Please, pay no attention to the web site. I am not ready to make this site public, but I needed a location to store these files. If you have a comment concerning the lecture or the notes, feel free to leave the comment here.
Alan,
I am looking forward to hearing this! I have been “stirred up” greatly by your insights on the church. Thank you for the links.
Alan,
Thank you for graciously providing the links to your talk. This Aussie is very appreciative.
Am about to look,listen and learn.
Well done. Thank you for allowing us to listen in on the lecture.
Very, VERY well done Alan. Most certainly, a lecture that has stirred my heart where the Lord has placed me. Thank you. I look forward to your development of future lectures on the subtopics that time did not permit you to discuss.
Perhaps you can arrange to deliver them in an environment that is conducive to the consumption of beef brisket and sweet tea.
Bert and Aussie John,
I’d love to hear your comments after you listen to the lecture.
anonymous,
Thank you for taking the time to listen.
Stan,
I hope I have the opportunity to develop future lectures. I enjoyed putting this together and presenting it. The Q&A with the students afterwards was great also. By the way, I think that briket and sweet tea would make any discussion more edifying. 🙂
-Alan
I listened to the audio lecture last night. Really good job. One thing I was curious about, though, is what kind of reception did you receive from those to whom it was originally share? Was there a time for follow-up questions afterwards? I would have really enjoyed being there in person.
Guy,
We had about 40 minutes of Q&A after my lecture. The response was great! There were some excellent questions – the kind of questions that showed that the students were thinking seriously about what I said.
-Alan
Alan,
Excellent! You are easy to listen to, because you love your subject, the congregation of God’s people.
I believe it is God’s time for this message to be expanded and offered to a wider audience.
Your message give me hope that, in what is left of my lifetime, I will see the words of Paul to Timothy regain the meaning, which I’m sure was Paul’s intent’ “…I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the (congregation) of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.” (1 Tim. 3:15)
Because our thoughts coincide on so many of the issues you touched on, I will share it with as many as I am able.
Aussie John,
Thank you for taking the time to watch the lecture, and for commenting. I appreciate the kind words on your blog as well. It is exciting to think that WE are the household of God!
-Alan