Lecture 9: The Doctrine of the Church, contd. Flashcards
Give the four “marks” of the church from the Apostle’s Creed.
one, holy, catholic, apostolic
According to the lecture notes about the church’s oneness, we must not equate unity with what?
Uniformity
Why is the definition of the church as the community of elect rejected as too narrow in the class notes?
Calvin’s definition of the church reflected a Platonic viewpoint, where the true church is an invisible and perfect gathering of those elect already in God’s presence.
What does ‘de facto’ mean?
In reality
Who compared the church to Christ’s bride and Noah’s ark, and in what context?
Cyprian of Carthage, in the context of addressing the Novatian Schism
Give the meaning of the Greek word that gives us the word apostle.
“To send”
Give the meaning of the Greek word that gives us the word catholic.
“According to its wholeness”
Summarize the Novatian Schism.
Novatian believed that those who renounced their faith under the threat of death should not be allowed back as full members of the church.
What is the basis for confessing the church’s holiness?
Christ has called the church out of the world, demonstrating the santification of the church, even as it is called to minister to the world. Paul also says that we are called to be God’s holy people in Corinthians.
What does ‘de jure’ mean?
In principle
What makes a church apostolic?
Faithfulness to the teachings of Christ that were first passed on by the apostles.
Does the church equal the kingdom of God? Why or why not?
No. The kingdom of God refers to God’s reign, wherever His power is active. The church is a part (and a product) of this kingdom.
What third mark of the church did the Puritans add (and Calvin affirm) as the last of the three new marks?
“Discipline” to the word and sacrament
What is the basis for confessing the church’s oneness?
Christ’s prayer for his believers to be one as He and the Father are one, and Paul calling the Ephesian believers to unity.
What two additional marks of the church did the Reformers add?
- “Pure” preaching of the word
- Right administration of the sacraments
Define catholicity.
The idea that the church is universal in time and space, and inclusive to all Christians.
Who wrote On the Unity of the Church?
Cyprian of Carthage
Explain the difference between the kingdom of God de jure and de facto.
The kingdom of God de jure refers to God’s right to reign over all creation. However, de facto, sin still persists on Earth and God has not chosen to fully conquer it yet.
