The Topic of Discipleship in the Cape Town Commitment: Theological Review Cover Image

The Topic of Discipleship in the Cape Town Commitment: Theological Review
The Topic of Discipleship in the Cape Town Commitment: Theological Review

Author(s): Ervin Budiselić
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion
Published by: Biblijski institut
Keywords: The Cape Town Commitment; disciple-talmid; teacher-rabbi; the Great Commission (Matthew 28); Abrahamic blessing (Genesis 12); teaching by example;

Summary/Abstract: The Cape Town Commitment: A Confession of Faith and a Call to Action is one of the significant documents of evangelical Christianity that briefly addresses many important topics; one of such topics is discipleship. This article traces the theme of discipleship in the document and offers a theological re flection on the content and form of discipleship for contemporary evangelical Christianity. After the first part where the topic of discipleship is addressed, the article continues to offer a theological reflection on the topic of disciples hip. Hence, the second part discusses the content and the form of discipleship. While the third part explains the importance of discipleship arguing that discipleship (Matthew 28) is the channel through which God realizes the return of the original creational blessing that was promised to Abraham in Genesis 12. In the conclusion it is pointed out that if we want to take the topic of discipleship from The Cape Town Commitment seriously, the following is needed: a) to understand that discipleship is not an after-school or extracurricular activity but a channel through which God wants to spread his redemptive blessing to all nations; b) in our local churches and academic institutions we need to return teaching by example, because various church or educational activities are part of the discipleship but they are not a supplement for teaching by example; c) to redeem the term “Christian” in a way that this term is only used for those who are “disciples.”

  • Issue Year: XIV/2020
  • Issue No: 2
  • Page Range: 19-35
  • Page Count: 17
  • Language: English