CHURCH AS ''MISTERIUM LUNAE''. SOURCE, COMMUNION, TRUTH Cover Image

KOŚCIÓŁ JAKO ''MYSTERIUM LUNAE''. ŹRÓDŁO, KOMUNIA, PRAWDA
CHURCH AS ''MISTERIUM LUNAE''. SOURCE, COMMUNION, TRUTH

Author(s): Jerzy Szymik
Subject(s): Systematic Theology
Published by: Instytut Teologiczno-Pastoralny im. św. Józefa Sebastiana Pelczara w Rzeszowie
Keywords: Church; communion; ecclesiology; co-participation; brotherhood, Christianity; democracy; hierarchy; reform; holiness; universalism; soteriology; salvation; primacy of God; faith

Summary/Abstract: Similarly as in the whole theology of J. Ratzinger/Benedict XVI, the primacy of God constitutes a starting point also in ecclesiology. And it is only through this hermeneutic key that we are able to properly read communio ecclesiology – the most characteristic and original element of Ratzinger’s teaching on the Church. Its deepest source is the communion of God and man, fulfilling itself to the richest extent in the Person of Jesus Christ – God-Man. Communio of the Church means co-participation with Christ; the Church is not ours, it belongs to God. We shall perceive the universality and holiness of the Church or Christian brotherhood from this perspective. The saving universalism of the Church does not depend on alleged openness of the community (flexibility, adaptability, susceptibility to change), yet it results from the God’s plan we all contribute to, not through “improving” church structures, according to our own and casual valuation, but through deepening our faith, conversion, confidence towards God’s presence inside the Church and surrender to Him.

  • Issue Year: 2017
  • Issue No: 24
  • Page Range: 495-507
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: Polish