Category: Series: Theology and Economics
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Theology and Economics: “But I don’t want to be priest, prophet or king.”
One of my favorite classic movies is The Court Jester starring Danny Kaye. Melissa and I watch it two or three times a year, particularly when we need to laugh. (Which has a curiously high correlation rate with my returns from Presbyterian General Assembly Council meetings.) The movie is set in Medieval England with a…
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Theology and Economics: Ordering
I ended the previous post by asking, "So what should the leadership look like of a community of broken eikons undergoing transformation?" The answer? At the risk of being simplistic, it should look like whatever structure most effectively creates maturing eikons and "breathes" them out into the world. The Roman Catholics understand Jesus to have…
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Theology and Economics: Equipping
Ephesians 4:1-16 (NRSV) 1 I therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, 2 with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, 3 making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond…
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Theology and Economics: The Elemental Institution
Each baptized member participates in the priestly, prophetic, and kingly ministry of Jesus Christ. We have been called to creation stewardship, Kingdom service, and employment of gifts. Our primary focus and locus of work are as the diaspora, the Church in dispersion throughout the community. While we are all directly connected to Christ as individuals,…
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Theology and Economics: Priest, Prophet and King
Several passages in the New Testament list roles played by people within the Church. Passages like Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, or Ephesians 4 would be just a few examples. But search all you want; there are two positions you will not find listed as part of the Church: king and priest. Both of these…
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Theology and Economics: Ecclesia and Diaspora
I wrote in my last post about viewing the Kingdom of God as a growing body or expanding temple (cathedral) that fills the earth. From beginning to end, scripture holds forth a vision of a world filled with God's eikons living in community with God as co-creative stewards. So how do we order ourselves for…
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Theology and Economics: Cathedral Built of Eikons
One day during the Middle Ages, a gentleman was walking through a European village when he came across a large construction site. Curious about the project, he asked a stone mason what he was doing. "I am laying stones," replied the mason somewhat sarcastically. Not satisfied with the answer, the gentleman approached a carpenter busy…
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Theology and Economics: Pope John Paul II on the “Lay Faithful”
The following are selected quotes from Pope John Paul II in The Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People. All emphases are in the original. (Pope John Paul II, Christifideles Laici, The Lay Members of Christ’s Faithful People. Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation. Boston: Pauline Books and Media, 1988) At the same time, the Synod has pointed…
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Theology and Economics: Ministry
Each and every Christian is ordained for ministry at baptism. The big problem with this statement is our dualistic understanding of the word "ministry." We frequently hear people talk about going into the ministry. Some talk about quitting their jobs and going into full-time ministry. On several occasions, I have asked a groups what ministry…