More than Communion: Imagining an Eschatological Ecclesiology

Description

The dominant contemporary model for ecclesiology (theological views of the church itself) is the ecclesiology of communion. MacDougall argues that communion ecclesiologies are often marked by a problematic theological imagination of the future (eschatology). He argues further that, as a result, our ways of practising and being the church are not as robust as they might otherwise be. Re-imagining the church in the light of God's promised future, then, becomes a critical conceptual and practical task. MacDougall presents a detailed exploration of what communion ecclesiologies are and some of the problems they raise. He offers two case studies of such theologies by examining how distinguished theologians John Zizioulas and John Milbank understand the church and the future, how these combine in their work, and the conceptual and practical implications of their perspectives. He then offers an alternative theological view and demonstrates the effects that such a shift would have. In doing so, MacDougall offers a proposal for recovering the 'more' to communion and to ecclesiology to help us imagine a church that is not beyond the world (as in Zizioulas) or over against the world (as in Milbank), but in and for the world in love and service. This concept is worked out in conversation with systematic theologians such as Jürgen Moltmann, Wolfhart Pannenberg, and Johannes Baptist Metz, and by engaging with a theology of Christian practices currently being developed by practical theologians such as Dorothy C. Bass, Craig Dykstra, and those associated with their ongoing project. The potential for the church to become an agent of discipleship, love, and service can best be realised when the church anticipates God's promised perfection in the full communion between God and humanity, among human beings, within human persons, and between humanity and the rest of creation. Contents Acknowledgments 1 Introduction: More than Communion? 2 Ecclesiologies of Communion: Propositions and Proposals, Problems and Perils 3 Church beyond the World: John Zizioulas 4 Church over Against the World: John Milbank 5 Church in the World: An Eschatological Imagination for Christian Communities 6 Church for the World (Part I): Re-Imagining Eschatological Ecclesiology 7 Church for the World (Part II): Practicing Eschatological Ecclesiology 8 Conclusion: More than Communion (Ecclesiology): Being a Church of the Basileia in and for the World References Index