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After Christendom, WHAT? A Course in Missional Ecclesiology

Playing off of Thomas Odens' "After Modernity, What?" this course wants to ask the same question as related to modernity generally, but as it is specifically related to the church per missional ecclesiology. The thesis begins with the assertion that Christendom is fundamentally in a syncretistic relationship between "modernity" and Christianity—e.g., Christendom.

The task here is to all out re-think "church" at three levels, and in that order:

What The Church IS In Relation To Christ: The Ontological Question as to what the church is fundamentally (elementally). e.g., The Church is Totus Christus as both the mediatorial manifestation of Covenant and Temple.
How The Church Is Discovered in Relation To Christ: The Epistemological Question e.g., The church as the mediatorial presence of the Triplex Vocational endeavor of Christ as Prophet, Priest, King.
How The Church Is Formed in Relation To A Local Context: The Teleological Question as to becoming the flesh of a particular people and place as the strategic level.

In other words, to answer the church question in relation to both Christ and the World, we must:

De-Construct The Christendom (Modernist) Church—What the Church IS
Re-Construction the Redemptive Historical Apostolic Church—What the Church Does
Re-Form the Apostolic Church Into a Post-Christendom Flesh—How the Church Does what it does in a way that is local as to convey best what it is and accomplish what it does.

As a course in "missional" ecclesiology, it will be shown that the church, by its nature as the mediatorial existential presence of Christ is Missional, by its vocation as Christ's mediated vocational presence as prophet, priest, and shepherd-king is Missional, and by its mystical union with Christ flesh in heaven and the people's flesh on earth in the "form" of a particular people and place is Missional.

"The church is not the source of witness, it is the locus of witness…. The presence of a new reality, the presence in the shared life of the church of the spirit…" - Lesslie Newbigin

"Just as we insist that a Church which has ceased to be a mission has lost the essential character of a Church, so must we also say that a mission which is not at the same time truly a Church is not a true expression of the divine apostolate. An unchurchly mission is as much a monstrosity as an unmissionary church." - Lesslie Newbigin

Course Schedule

I. De-constructing Modernist Christendom

(Read) The Gospel In Today's Global City, Lesslie Newbigin
(Read) Religious Pluralism: A Missiological Perspective, Lesslie Newbigin
(Skim) After Modernity... What? The Contours of Modernistic Christendom, Preston Graham
Stefan Paas, The Making of A Mission Field, Paradigms of Evangelistic Mission
(Additional Reading) Biblical Critical Theory: How the Bible’s Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture, Introduction, Chapter 21.

II. Re-constructing Pre-Modern Church By A Redemptive-Historical, Christo-Centric Hermeneutic Applied to Missional Ecclesiology

(Read) A Primer in Totus Christus Spirituality, (Skim First Part, Read Second Part) Preston Graham
(Skim- Slow down as desired) Preston Graham, High Ecclesia - Temple Trajectory in Redemptive History
(SKIM, Slow Down As Desired) Preston Graham, Jr., High Gospel -Covenant Trajectory in Redemptive History
(READ) Richard Gaffin, Perspectives on Pentecost, Chapter 2: The Gift of the Spirit
(READ) T.F. Torrance, Royal Priesthood, Chapter 2 "Function of the Body"
(READ) James Bannerman, The Church of Christ, Vol. 1, Part 1, The Church of Christ (Part 1, Chapter 2)
Other Versions: Preston Graham, Jr., A Sacramental Theology of the Gospel (1st published version of "High Church" Spirituality)
C.f. Preston Graham, Why Church Plant?

III. Christology Applied: Totus Christus

(READ) James Farrow, Ascension and Ecclesia, Chapter 1
(Review Handout) Ascension Rediscovered and Applied
(READ) Preston Graham, A Prolegomena in Total Christ Ecclesiology
(Read) Preston Graham Jr. Ascension Christology Explored Relative to the Minus Triplex: Does Totus Christus Ecclesiology Contradict Solus Christus?
(Read) David Moser, Totus Christus: A Proposal for Protestant Christology and Ecclesiology (Pro Ecclesia 29 no. 1 (2020))
Additional Reading: Read: The Ascension of Christ: Recovering a Neglected Doctrine (Snapshots), by Patrick Schreiner

IV. The Covenantal/Gospel Centered Church

Meredith Kline, Law Covenant (The Covenantal Context of Gospel explained as will be applied to Assurance issues later in readings)
Tim Keller, The Centrality of the Gospel
(For Review) - Issue of Assurance: A Confessional Survey
Meredith Kline- Law Covenant

VI. The Temple/Missional Church

Lesslie Newbigin, "Logic of Mission"
Lesslie Newbin, The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, Chapter 18 The Hermeneutic of the Congregation, Chapter 19 The Logic of the Mission
For Summary of Logic of Mission-- c.f. Lesslie Newbin's "Logic of Mission" by Robert Mosolgo
(Read selectively) Stefan Paas, Pilgrims and Priests, Christian Mission in a Post-Christian Society
(Read) Why Church Planting in Europe? On Authorizing a Common Evangelical Practice, Stefan Paas
Skip Bell, Rod Davis, Church Growth as A Church Strategy
Jens Monsees Models of Church Development in the Netherlands,
(READ) Tim Keller, The Missional Church
(READ) Tim Keller, Evangelistic Worship
(Skim) Greg Thompson, "The Hospitality of Christ for a Secular Age" with notes
(READ) Preston Graham, Jr., An Ecclesial Spirituality of Conversion

VII. The Priestly/Sacramental Church

(READ) Preston Graham, The Mystery and Manners of Sacramental Efficacy (paper delivered at April 29, 2017 Southern New England Presbytery)
(READ) James Torrance, Worship, Community, and the Triune God of Grace (ch.1, ch. 2 skim) Handout.Notes
(READ) John Williamson Nevin, The Mystical Presence... Chapter 1, Section 1: “Statement of Doctrine,” Chapter 3, Section 2, “The Mystical Union,” (Skim) Section 3: “The Lord’s Supper”
(READ) John Calvin, Short Treatise on the Supper of Our Lord
(Read) Carl Mosser, The Greatest Possible Blessing: Calvin and Deification: Calvin and Deification (SJT 55(1): 36±57 (2002) Printed in the United Kingdom 5 2002 Scottish Journal of Theology Ltd)
(READ) Preston Graham Handout, From Baptism to Lord's Supper (The issue of when to admit children to Lord’s Supper)
(SKIM) Preston Graham, A Baptism That Saves: The Reformed and Sacramental Doctrine of Baptism Argued and Clarified
(SKIM) Preston Graham, The 19th Century Presbyterian Debate in Sacramental Theology: Hodge vs. Nevin
(SKIM) Preston Graham (Handout), Worship (from Confessional Theology)

VIII. The Kingly/Shepherded Communal Church

(READ) Lesslie Newbigin, The Household of God, Chapter 1-3
(READ) Richard Hayes, Ecclesiology and Ethics
(READ) James Bannerman, The Church of Christ (Part 2, Chapters 1, 3, 4, 5)
(READ) Edmund Clowney, Distinctive Emphases in Presbyterian Polity
(READ) Preston Graham, The Liturgy of Polity
(READ) Preston Graham Jr, Handouts:
(READ) First Things in Biblical Ecclesiology
(SKIM) The Preliminary Principles of Church Power
(READ) Presbyterian Polity: An Organic and Multi-Form Vision
(READ) Principles of Order for a Fair, Efficient, and Principled Process
(SKIM) Preston Graham, Gospel Empowerment, Vision Anabaino #3,
(READ)Case Study: Helping a Witch Doctor
Handouts
(REVIEW) Ecclesiology and Mercy
What Kind of Church Do We Want To Be (applied to Impact Week)
(REVIEW)Holistic Love and Empowerment Based Mercy
Applied To Congregagation
(Read), Life Together, D. Bonhoeffer (chapter 1)
(READ)Richard Hayes, Ecclesiology and Ethics
Applied to Mercy
(Read) Preston Graham, Gospel Empowerment, Vision Anabaino #3,
(READ)Case Study: Helping a Witch Doctor
(Skim) Empowerment Based Mercy-- A Bibliography and Brief Summary
(REVIEW) Ecclesiology and Mercy (Or) Holistic Love and Empowerment Based Mercy
Applied to Unity Ecumenism and the Issue of Schism
(READ) Preston Graham, Jr., Lesslie Newbigin's Missional Ecclesiology Explored: A Christo-Centric proposal for Ecumenism in today’s Global Context
(READ) Michael Allen and Scott Swain, "Reformed Catholicity" Introduction and Chapter 1
Total Christ Membership Seminar (For Example-- though abit too much :)
IX>. Pastoral Theology In Missional Ecclesiology
(READ). Preston Graham, A Priest With No Name: Rediscovering Pastoral Identity and Practice
(READ), Purves, Pastoral Theology in the Classical Tradition, Introduction and Conclusion,
(READ) Philip Graham Ryken, The Suffering and the Glory: Pastoral Ministry in Union with Christ
(READ)Preston Graham, The Use of Clerical Attire
X> Church Planting and Missional Ecclesiology Bibliographies
Church Planting Seminar (Minneapolis, 2007)-- Steve Childers, Steve Ogne, Ed Stetzer & Others. Lots of "How To" Stuff

Mission Anabaino Resources

MA Apperentice Readings in Missional Ecclesiology

MA Apprentice Readings in Missional Ecclesiology

After Christendom, WHAT? A Course in Missional Ecclesiology

Course Schedule

I. De-constructing Modernist Christendom

II. Re-constructing Pre-Modern Church By A Redemptive-Historical, Christo-Centric Hermeneutic Applied to Missional Ecclesiology

III. Christology Applied: Totus Christus

IV. The Covenantal/Gospel Centered Church

VI. The Temple/Missional Church

VII. The Priestly/Sacramental Church

VIII. The Kingly/Shepherded Communal Church

Total Christ Resources

Gospel Centered ("High Gospel"/Covenant Word)

Missional High Ecclesia / Temple Presence

Missional, High Church Theology:

Missional, High Church Practice:

Confessional (Christ as Prophet)

Sacramental (Christ as Priest)

Communal (Christ as King)

Community Life:

Shepherding:

Empowerment:

Preston Graham Papers and Interviews

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