SAET » Ecclesial Theology: Definition, Audience and Examples » The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology

December 11, 2008 by Gerald Hiestand

Ecclesial Theology: Definition, Audience and Examples

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One of the ongoing difficulties we’ve had is defining ecclesial theology as something distinct from academic theology. I’ve written about that here, but wanted to flesh it out further. Here’s the SAET’s working definition, etc.

Definition of Ecclesial Theology
Ecclesial theology is theological reflection written to the wider believing community, for the good of the church catholic, and born out of pastoral/ecclesial concerns.

The Subject Matter of Ecclesial Theology
Ecclesial theology covers the entire Christian life—Christian living, ministry, exposition of Scripture, church history, dogmatics, etc. Anything relevant to the mission and life of the church is the subject matter of ecclesial theology.

The Audience of Ecclesial Theology
Ecclesial theology is written to the thoughtful, theologically informed, historically aware, biblically literate, believing community. The audience of ecclesial theology may at times include the laity, but will often be directed toward ecclesial scholars and theologians and likeminded thinkers. For example, a deeply thoughtful book on Nicene Christology and its ecclesial implications may not be readily accessible for the average lay person, but it would yet be highly relevant for the health and life of the church.

Examples of Ecclesial Theology
Augustine—Confessions, On Grace and Free Will
Bonheoffer—The Cost of Discipleship
Stott—The Cross of Christ
Piper—Desiring God
Luther—Galatians, Bondage of the Will
Calvin—Institutes and commentaries
Baxter—The Reformed Pastor
Athanasius—The Incarnation of the Word
Edwards—Freedom of the Will, etc.

Categories: Ecclesial Theology
Recent Comments
- Bradley Cochran said...
  
  Very concise; very clear. iLike.
  
  12/11/08 3:42 PM | Comment Link
- SAET » A Few Thoughts on the Piper/Carson Event » The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology said...
  
  [...] theology written by Augustine, Calvin, Luther, Edwards, etc. And not merely academic theology, but ecclesial theology. To be sure, the SAET has no grievance with the kind of theological writing and reflection [...]
  
  05/25/09 3:05 PM | Comment Link
- Theology for the Church » Convictions and Affections said...
  
  [...] article by Gerald Heistand concerning ecclesial theology. What is ecclesial theology? “Ecclesial theology is theological reflection written to the wider believing community, for the good of the church [...]
  
  08/20/09 12:03 PM | Comment Link
- SAET » Fellowship Openings Available » The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology said...
  
  [...] candidates have a demonstrated publishing record, and view the publication of ecclesial theology as a ministry [...]
  
  08/24/09 5:46 PM | Comment Link
- SAET » Second SAET Fellowship - Openings Available! » The Society for the Advancement of Ecclesial Theology said...
  
  [...] full-time pastor who views the writing/publication of ecclesial theology as a significant ministry [...]
  
  10/26/09 1:31 PM | Comment Link
- Fred Lautenschlaeger said...
  
  Dear Mr Wilson and Mr. Hiestand:
  My article dealing with the topic below was just published in a church newsletter. I would offer an extended version for your consideration. Regards – Fred Lautenschlaeger
  
  UNIVERSE AND RELIGION
  
  Since Galileo, man’s understanding of the ‘heavens’ continues to affect our thinking. Our universe is about 13.7 billion years old, and earth was formed as part of our solar system about 3.7 billion years ago.
  The study by astronomers tells us that after a few billion years our sun will cataclysmically ‘burn out’. Which current religion deals with the possibility of a natural end to all life – a devolution and extinction of life? Can the origin of the Abrahamic religion, our theistic tradition, be understood any other way but by a concept of creation and continued evolution of life in general? Does this tradition deal with this ‘other side of the coin’, that ‘other book-end’ to the creation myth?
  Based on this new understanding, can we develop a concept which addresses this issue and also leads a step forward towards world peace amongst Abrahamic religions? Do we need a wider eschatology? Faith congregations are encouraged to consider some of these questions.
  May I have your comments, Please. Thank you – Fred
  
  01/7/11 3:40 PM | Comment Link
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About the SAET Blog

Welcome to the SAET blog. Herein you will find the theological/pastoral ramblings of the Rev. Matthew Mason, the good Doctor Jason Hood, and Pastor Gerald Hiestand. All three write under the premise that theology and the pastorate belong together, and that (at least some) pastors must once again function as writing theologians for the wider church, for the ecclesial renewal of theology and the theological renewal of the church.

Contributors

Gerald Hiestand
Gerald has served as the SAET board president since 2006. He has been in pastoral ministry since 1999, and serves currently as the Senior Associate Pastor of Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, IL.

Jason Hood
Jason is a graduate of Rhodes College, Reformed Theological Seminary, Highland Theological College and the Univ. of Aberdeen. Jason works as Scholar-in-Residence and director of Christ College Residency Program at Christ UMC. He's trying to figure out the twitter thing, @jasonbhood, and sometimes writes for ChristianityToday.com.

Matthew Mason
Matthew earned an MTh at Oak Hill College, London. He is an Assistant Pastor at Church of the Resurrection, Washington D. C. (Anglican Mission in the Americas), and edits Ecclesia Reformanda, a journal of Reformed theology.

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Ecclesial Theology: Definition, Audience and Examples

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