Theological

Reflections
on
Ecclesial
Models
 a MODEL is a
representation
of something
much greater

We use MODEL
in theology as a
HEURISTIC tool.
HEURISTICS is an operation
of self-correcting process
Which dog
gets to drink first?
 Which of the 5 Models is
the Best Model of the Church?
A B

D E
A
B
c
D
E
• The basic models have arisen
from history as a result of
differing points of views or
horizons of believers and
theologians of different ages
and culture.
• Each model, evidently, has it
own uses and limitations
• Some models may harmonize
or reject some other models.
Criteria for Evaluating Models
1. Foundations in Scripture
2. Basis in Christian Tradition
3. Sense of corporate identity
and mission for the members
4. Foster virtues and values
admired by Christians
5. Correspondence of religious
experience of men today
6. Theological fruitfulness
7. Openness to relate outside the
group
Certain Types of Persons are Drawn to Certain Models
Church Speculative Preachers & Missionaries
Ecumenists
Officials Theologians Bible Scholars & Activists

Institutional Communion Sacrament Herald Servant

Model Model Model Model Model
Each of the Models are VALID!!!
You cannot choose one…
You cannot choose all…
 The Model Defects and Distortions
Institutional by itself, tends to become rigid, doctrinaire, and conformist; it could easily
substitute the official Church for God, and this would be a form of
idolatry.
Communion it could lead to false expectations and impossible demands, considering
the vastness of the Church, the many goals for which it must labor, and its
remoteness from its eschatological goal.
Sacrament could lead to a sterile aestheticism and to an almost narcissistic self-
contemplation.
Herald runs the risk of falling into the exaggerations of biblicists and
fundamentalistic sects. It tends to oversimplify the process of salvation, to
advertise “cheap grace,” to be satisfied with words and professions rather
than to insist on deeds, especially in the social and public arena.
Servant could easily give the impression that man’s final salvation is to be found
within history, and could lure the Church into an uncritical acceptance of
secular values, thus muting its distinctive witness to Christ
Blindengarten
Bonn, Germany
arises when there are conflicts of horizon
Or seemingly opposing positions
to harmonize the models in such a way
that their differences become
complementary rather than mutually
repugnant.
5 Trends to Consider
for the
Theological Dialectic
 01
Modernization of
Structures
Here the Church has an important
contribution to make to the modern world.
The traditional Christian conception of
authority as an exigent service remains
valid and potentially fruitful.
 02
Ecumenical
Interplay
Some method must be found to overcome
these inherited divisions so that
committed Christians in different
denominational traditions may find each
other once again in the same community
of faith, dialogue, and worship..
 03
Internal
Pluralism
With increasing decentralization, the
Catholic Church in various regions will be
able to enter more vitally into the life of
different peoples and to relate itself more
positively to the traditions of other
Christian denominations.
 04
Provisionality
the Church continues to provide a zone of
relative stability and to enable the faithful
to relate meaningfully to their religious
past. But the Church must not allow itself
to become a mere relic or museum piece.
She must be capable of responding
creatively to the demands of new
situations and to the needs of generations
yet to come.
 05
Voluntariness
the Church will not be able to rely to the
same extent as formerly on canonical
penalties and sociological pressures in
order to keep its members in line. The
officers will have to obtain a good measure
of consensus behind their decisions, and
this in turn will require increased dialogue.
 The 6th Model of the Church

Community of Disciples
 Communion Herald Sacrament Servant Institutional

Community of Disciples

1. It depicts a Church that is set apart from other cultures and religions.
2. It elicits excessive demands on the average ChrisFans from such a radical call.
3. It implies a voluntary and free associaFon of individuals that is against the
Catholic vision of a necessary society.
Another Church Model:
COMEDY: TRAGEDY:
A love story that ends A love story that ends
with a wedding with death
The Bible Fuses Tragedy
and Comedy into One
- Salvation History: Greatest Drama
ever Told (by the Divine Word)
- It begins with a Wedding that Ends
in Death (Creation and the Fall)
- It climaxes in a Death that ends in
a Wedding (Cross and the New
Creation)
- The Hero (Christ) and the Heroine
(the Church) both die and are
married
 Homework
Given the Church Model:
“The Bride of Christ”
from the recent discussion on the
evaluation of models:
1. Examine each of the criteria that speaks
of the theme. List salient points.
2. Evaluate the validity and defects of this
model using the criteria of Avery Dulles.
3. How can you harmonize this from the
other models of the Church?
To be submi*ed next week: 28 Feb 2023, 11:59 PM
at the Google Classroom