Abstract

DREYER, Wim A.. Historical-comparative ecclesiology: towards a comprehensive Practical Ecclesiology. Herv. teol. stud. [online]. 2011, vol.67, n.3, pp.146-154. ISSN 2072-8050.

Practical Ecclesiology is a theological discipline, which opens up the possibility of a multi-disciplinary approach to ecclesiology. One aspect of such a multi-disciplinary Practical Ecclesiology is a historical-comparative approach. In this contribution an historical-comparative ecclesiology is developed under the headings of institutional, transformational and non-institutional ecclesiology. Practical Ecclesiology is normally practised from an empirical, strategic and hermeneutical perspective. This article argues that a historical perspective is essential to Practical Ecclesiology as it deepens our understanding of how the church evolved, transformed and adapted over centuries. This opens up important points of discussion in context of the 21st century.

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