DISCOVERING COMMONALITY

As the researching and writing of my ThM thesis continues, I will be posting some "thought bubbles" for the purpose of critique and clarification. Questions, comments, and corrections are welcome.

One of the difficulties faced is creating an ecclesiological rubric that can receive broad acceptance. Positively, there is broad acceptance of Scripture as at least theologically informative. This being the case, a clear a modest Scriptural basis should broaden acceptance. Negatively, there are vastly different definitions of the four marks of the church, especially "catholic" and "apostolic."

Coming from a decidedly conservative Protestant position and a non-creedal tradition (Baptist), it is likely that I do not understand the related issues. I cannot--and frankly should not--please everyone (for, if we disagree, some or all of us are wrong). The most I can do is be as biblically sound as I can and let the chips fall where they may.

Question: How might one find the ecclesiological commonality without sinking to the lowest common denominator?

NOTE: This is a rumination ("1. The act of pondering; meditation. 2. The act or process of chewing cud." American Heritage Dictionary) in search of synergy ("1. The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.")

Tag(s): missional ecclesiology

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“Unless otherwise noted Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.” http://www.esv.org/