LAICIDADE E ECUMENICIDADE DA IGREJA O Pensamento Eclesiológico de John Wesley / Laity and church ecumenicity: the ecclesiological thought of John Wesley

AUTOR(ES)
DATA DE PUBLICAÇÃO

2008

RESUMO

John Wesley by examining not only what is explicit in his writings regarding the church, but also what is implicit in the social and missionary practices of the first Methodists. As a basis for this discussion, the research presents a panorama of discussions about the Wesleyan concept of church, particularly as developed in the last fifty years. The value of such research is recognized in light of aiding in the creation of certain convergences around the main themes of Wesleys vision. In many of these, one can observe efforts to accommodate fragmen ed Wesleyan reflections into a previously defined scheme of interpretation. From conservative and supporter of the established Church to schismatic and radical theologian, almost all types of skills and abilities have been assigned to him. Certainly, Wesley assimilated the contribution of various theological and ecclesiastical currents. This reveals the complexity of his theology, and its resistance to simplistic explanations. But what determines his choices is a question that is not frequently raised. This research sustains the thesis that it was not the attachment to principles considered orthodox but the encounter with the poor that led Wesley to open himself to a growing understanding of the church which was, at same time, sensitive to persons excluded from English society and sufficiently flexible to adjust itself to changing situations. He broke with hierarchical ecclesiology, in which he was formed, and introduced a fundamentally lay concept of the church. He challenged the monopoly of the clergy and openly promoted the priesthood of all believers, for both men and women. He rejected individualism and appreciated responsible community life. He discarded parochialism and an exclusivist interpretation of the church and embraced ecumenicity as an essential character of the Church of Christ. Finally his theological concerns are concentrated on via salutis, on the renewal of the whole of creation, by the grace of God with responsible human participation, such that the church becomes relative.

ASSUNTO(S)

serviço people of god community comunidade laicidade ecumenicidade povo de deus ecumenicity service ciencias humanas laity

ACESSO AO ARTIGO

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