I. The Church Is a Faith Claim The creedal picture: "We believe the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Church"
The historical picture: overlapping, competing "Christian traditions"
The modern, individualistic picture: mere political structures, "organized religion"
The consumeristic picture: dispensable means of personal growth (or fatigue)
Jesus' picture: the community of disciples is his top priority
The theological picture: "the Church" calls for theological interpretation, discernment, respect
II. The Church as "the Gathering Gathering" ekklêsia means assembly, gathering, reunion
Israel assembles as ekklêsia (1 Kings 8:14)
Israel is scattered among the nations (2 Kings 25)
The Kingdom of God is the restored Kingdom of David (Matt. 1:17, Acts 2)
The Kingdom is "already" (Matt. 12:28) and "not yet" (Matt. 13:47-50)
ekklêsia respects the Church's eschatological context between Christ's ascension and return
ekklêsia "manifests the Kingdom without being identified with it"
ekklêsia emphasizes the Church's concreteness
ekklêsia recognizes that the Church is a "who" more than a "what"
ekklêsia respects the Church's center over its boundaries ekklêsia suggests the Church's unity, holiness, catholicity, and apostolicity
III. What About the "Old" Israel?
What is "the Israel of God"? (Gal. 6:16)
Supersessionism: The Church replaces Israel as "the new Israel" (classical orthodoxy)
Pluralism: The Church and Israel have different ways to salvation (some varieties of Dispensationalism)
Paul (Rom. 9-11, interpreting Deut. 32): Someday "all Israel will be saved" by faith
