Decision Making in the Church: A Biblical Model

By Luke Timothy Johnson

Book Overview

Book by Johnson, Luke Timothy This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0800616944
• ISBN13: 9780800616946
• Release Date: January 1983
• Publisher: Augsburg Fortress Publishing
• Length: 109 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Knowing what to do...

This text, 'Decision Making in the Church', is a shorter and earlier version of many of the same topics Luke Timothy Johnson covers in 'Scripture and Discernment'. This text, published in 1983, was produced shortly before Johnson was a professor of mine at Indiana University, in the field of New Testament studies.The text is divided into four primary sections: definitions, difficulties, decisions, and discernment. For the definitions, Johnson explores the nature of faith, community, obedience and authority, and different theological concepts. Decision and discernment should be done in a communal level, by groups rather than individuals. The groups may vary in composition, of course, but the general principle remains strong. How faith and authority are developed in this context remains an important part of the process.One difficulty that arises comes from Paul, who while recognising the theological nature of the Christian community still emphasises the individual nature of responsibility. Drawing on different texts in Paul, the gospels and Acts, Johnson highlights historical, literary and theological difficulties, in addition to problems of understanding the way in which things are to be applied.Johnson moves from the difficulties to looking at actual decisions, largely drawing on material from the Acts of the Apostles. These include the selection of Matthias to take Judas' place as one of the twelve, the acceptance of Paul as an Apostle, the conversion of Cornelius and Gentiles generally, and the Jerusalem Council (among others). These models are shown in their contexts, with general principles drawn for further theological emphasis in decision making. The final section looks at discernment briefly, a topic greatly expanded in Johnson's later text. Discernment is tricky business, often used in manipulative and destructive ways, Johnson states. However, it is a most valuable tool when used appropriately. Johnson looks at three topics -- the role of women in the church, the status of divorce and remarriage in the church, and homosexuality -- as three areas where discernment is necessary in the church, and three areas where discernment is susceptible to all manner of outside influences and distortions.This small text (a mere 100 pages) covers a lot of ground, and does so with an accessible and engaging style, as is Johnson's form in writing and public speaking.