Open AccessDie kerk
Author(s) -
J.P. Oberholzer
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
hts teologiese studies
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.282
H-Index - 15
eISSN - 2072-8050
pISSN - 0259-9422
DOI - 10.4102/hts.v51i3.1441
Subject(s) - existentialism , theology , universality (dynamical systems) , new testament , philosophy , identity (music) , body of christ , lord's new church which is nova hierosolyma , eucharist , christian church , art , christianity , biblical theology , aesthetics , epistemology , physics , quantum mechanics
The church. This survey of biblical material on the church proceeds from the view-point that the identity of the church of God can be treated only as an existential question, asking 'who is the church?' and 'who am I?' at the same time. The article shows that, of the various images used in the New Testament to describe the church, virtually every one forms the basis of a call to a holy and dedicated life. At the same time these images, with the exception of the body image, unite the churches of the Old and New Testament in such a way that the church of Christ is shown to be heir and new creation at the same time. Two prominent features appear: the call to a holy life and acceptance of the universality of the church, emanating from the will and being of the Lord himself, and guided by his Holy Spirit