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A Paper Presentation

On
Church in the world: Theological Basis for Christian Education and Social Change
Subject: Christian Education for Social Change
Faculty in charge: Rev. Rachel Bagh
Presenters: Meshak, Aren, Matthew and Elkan
Date: 05.07.2017

Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 2
2. Definitions ..................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Church ................................................................................................................................... 2
2.2 World..................................................................................................................................... 2
2.3 Christian Education ............................................................................................................... 2
2.4 Social Change ........................................................................................................................ 2
3. Biblical Understanding of the Church ........................................................................................... 2
4. Church and the World ................................................................................................................... 3
4.1 Nature and Purpose of the Church ....................................................................................... 3
4.2 Church as the light of the world............................................................................................ 3
4.3 Mission and the Church ........................................................................................................ 4
5. Role of Church and Christian Education ....................................................................................... 4
5.1 Church as Educator ............................................................................................................... 4
5.2 Church and society ................................................................................................................ 4
5.3 Church and its involvement in the world .............................................................................. 4
5.3.1 Liberation ..................................................................................................................... 4
5.3.2 Transformation ............................................................................................................ 5
5.3.3 Upliftment ................................................................................................................. 5
6. Theological Implications on Church .............................................................................................. 6
6.1 Church as People of God ....................................................................................................... 6
6.2 Church as community of called people ................................................................................. 6
6.3 Church as fellowship ............................................................................................................. 7
7. Conclusion ..................................................................................................................................... 7
Bibliography………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..7
1. Introduction
Christian Education plays an important role in helping the Church to understand the relationship
between faith and action. The Church in the world can be a medium of sharing God’s love to
those who are unprivileged in the society. This paper attempts to find out the theological basis
for Christian Education and Social Change and its implication for today’s world.

2. Definitions
2.1 Church
It is defined as a building used for public Christian worship. It is also known as the house of
God, the Lord’s house, house of prayer etc.1

2.2 World
The world is the planet earth and all life upon it, including human civilization. In a philosophical
context, the world is the whole of the physical universe, or an ontological world. In a theological
context, the world is the material or the profane sphere, as opposed to the celestial, spiritual,
transcendent or sacred.2

2.3 Christian Education


Christian education is designed to help individuals, young and old to grow in Christian likeness
and to aid in realizing the kingdom of Love and righteousness among men, its purpose is to bring
about the development of Christ like persons and a more Christian society.3

2.4 Social Change


According to K. Device, social change means the alternation or modification that occur in a
situation over a time in social organization i.e. the structure and the function of society. It is the
change in human interactions and interrelations. Jones also defines it as a term used to describe
variation in social interaction, progress or social organization.4 Social change refers to any
significant alteration over time in behaviour patterns and cultural values and norms.5

3. Biblical Understanding of the Church


The word church in the Bible comes from the Greek word ecclesia, which means a called out
company or assembly. Wherever it is used in the Bible it refers to people. The emphasis is on its
unity and the basis of this unity is made clear: “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” We see the
word church used in three different ways: Firstly, as the body of Christ, the church is often
defined as a local assembly or group of believers (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Galatians
1:1-2). Secondly, it is defined as the body of individual living believers (1 Corinthians 15:9;
1
https://www.merriam-webster.com, Accessed on 4/7/17, at 3:30pm.
2
https://www.researchgate.net, Accessed on 4/7/17, at 3:30pm.
3
Frank M. Mckibben, Christian Education Through the church,(New York, Abingdon-Coklesbury Press, 1947), pg 23
4
Ghanta Ramesh and B.N. Dash, Foundations of Education (Hyderabad: Neelkamal Publications Pvt. Ltd., 2004),
154.
5
“Social Change Defined,” n.d., https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/sociology/social-change-and-
movements/social-change-defined. Accessed on 03/07/2017, 12:10 PM.
Galatians 1:13). Finally, it is defined as the universal group of all people who have trusted Christ
through the ages (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 5:23-27).6

4. Church and the World


The same love that binds the church together as a body also binds the church to the world. “For
God so loved the world that they gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life. For God sent the son into the world, not to condemn the world, but
that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17). There is always a risk to the church
as it seeks to live in mission in the midst of the world. When it involves itself in social issues, it
incurs the wrath of those whose wrongs it condemns. Living in the world, it may become like the
world, churches in non-Christian cultures are confronted by a problem how much to withdraw
form society, and yet how to be identified with society enough to play a vital role in the lives of
the people. When the church, like its Lord, gives itself in sacrificial, redemptive love to the
world, it has the power and transform and recreate. 7

4.1 Nature and Purpose of the Church


The early Christian church recognized that four functions were inherently essential, recorded for
us in Acts 2:41, 42, as Follows: Evangelism (vs.41), Education (vs.42), Edification (vs.42), and
Fellowship (vs.42). Rooted in the deepest tradition and practice of the Christian church is
education. The Apostle Paul likewise adopted the goal of Christlikeness as the character goal for
the church. “Christ in you, the hope of glory, whom we preach… that we may present every man
perfect in Christ Jesus (Col. 1:27, 28).8 The church is composed of the body of Christ, the
corporate body of believers. The goal here, therefore, is to form a great missionary society in
which the goal is to enlist every disciple of Christ in this body and develop them into efficient
Apostles. The method to be employed is witnessing and evangelism, expressed in the Great
commission. In order to facilitate this objective, the Church, as the kingdom of Christ, moves out
into society as a spiritual leaven with a spiritual program called the kingdom of heaven.9

4.2 Church as the light of the world


Light is seen as an important metaphor in the Bible “God is light” according to I John 1:5, and
Christ is described in the fourth gospel as “the light of the world” (John 8:12, 12:46). God is also
described as light in eschatological context (Isaiah 60:19-20, Rev. 21:10-11), God moreover has
come in Christ to bring light into the darkness (John 1:4-5, 12:46, Ps 27:1). Paul’s metaphor also
extends to Christians, who were described as the “Children of light” (Eph 5:8, I Thess 5:5). In
Isaiah 42:6, Israel’s mission is to be the “light to the gentiles.”10

6
Randolph Crump Miller, The Educational Mission of the Church, (New York,World council of Christian Education
and Sunday School Association, 1962), pg 6
7
J. Allan Ranck, Education for Mission (New York: Friendship Press, 1961), 18-19.
8
H.W. Byane, (ed.,), A Christian Approach to Education (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1971),106-107.
9
H.W. Byane, (ed.,), A Christian Approach to Education (Michigan: Zondervan Publishing House, 1971), 111.
10
Hagner A. Donald, World Biblical Commentary (Texas: World Book Publisher, 1993). 100.
4.3 Mission and the Church
In the New Testament “Church” occurs in 115 times. Jesus said, “On this rock I’ll build my
church, and the gates of the hades will not overcome it” (Matt. 16:18). The church is the
household of God and the pillar and foundation of the truth (I Tim. 3:15). It is the mystery
hidden form all ages; the divinely inspired organisation dedicated by God t breaking down ethnic
walls so people from all backgrounds might be one in Christ (Eph. 3:10). The Church occupies
central place and Christ continues to do from his position as the right hand of God. In Luke and
Acts, Luke records what “Jesus continues to do and to teach until the day he was taken up to
Heaven” (Acts 1:1-2).11

5. Role of Church and Christian Education


5.1 Church as Educator
A church is an educational institution primarily because of this kind of fact, because, in short, by
its very presence, it produces so largely the presuppositions of social thinking, and maintains a
great body of standards that are taken for granted. The church of the spirit must therefore provide
means and measures for continual spiritual renewal at the sources of spiritual life. The church
considered as educator is primarily a fellowship of older and younger persons, and that if this
fellowship be rich and aspiring it will be educationally effective, whatever be the material and
the method of instruction. Church education at its best in an initiation into a living fellowship.
Good fellowship in the church is itself a process of Christian education.12

5.2 Church and society


The church differs from any other organization of the good will, and why a child needs any
social training beyond participation in ordinary philanthropies and reforms, the answer is that, in
spite of shortcomings, the churches, and they only of all our social institutions, undertake to
accept the radical consequences of Jesus’ social idealism. The churches are called by their own
confirmed principles to carry this social radicalism into life. Specifically Christian education
adds to the other agencies of social progress. Church can develop communion with God in and
through growing social intelligence and growing social purpose, as these, conversely, can be
developed through communion with God.13

5.3 Church and its involvement in the world14


5.3.1 Liberation
The way in which the local churches move beyond their present indecision will have profound
implications for the future of the universal church. If the church finds itself at the very heart of
the contradictions plaguing societies undergoing change, if it is involved in their fissures and
fixations, it is because the church has been in charge of their relationship with God. The

11
Eric E. Wright, A Practical Theology of Missions; Dispelling the mystery; recovering the passion (Malta: Gutenberg
press, 2010), 216.
12
George Albert Coe, A Social Theory of Religious Education (New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1917), 85-89.
13
George Albert Coe, A Social Theory of Religious Education (New York: Charles Scribners Sons, 1917), 92-95.
14
Vincent Cosmao, Changing the World (New York: Orbis Books, 1984), 40-55.
unthinkable becomes thinkable when the church, which had been preaching resignation, begins
to tell the poor that it is God who is summoning them to stand on their own feet; that it is God
who wants them to take in hand the work of building the social organizations they need to
improve their living conditions.

The role proposed to the church is that of organizing and mobilizing the resources at its disposal
in order to conscientize those who are ready to listen to what it has to say. The mass movements
of the first type often begin with the establishment of basic ecclesial communities in which
members try to rediscover the good news proclaimed to the poor, they share the exhilaration of
the exodus from Egypt or the return of the Jews from exile. Even in the midst of repression they
feel themselves to be a captive people in the process of liberating itself. Calmly and peacefully
they go about the process, having no weapon but the gospel message and its subversive,
mobilizing force. Today millions of Christians are to be found in countries that were held under
colonial and postcolonial domination for centuries. It is the church that the cry of the voiceless
oppressed has the best chance of being heard.

5.3.2 Transformation
Collective awareness in so-called advanced societies is heavily influenced by the conviction that
they are indeed in advance of underdeveloped societies.

Christ’s followers, therefore, are called, in one way or another, not to conform to the values of
society but to transform them (Rom. 12:1-2; Eph. 5:8-14). This calling flows from our
confession that God loves the world and that the earth belongs to Him. According to the biblical
view of human life, then, transformation is the change from a condition of human existence
contrary to God’s purpose to one in which people are able to enjoy fullness of life in harmony
with God (John 10:10; Col. 3:8-15; Eph. 4:13). This transformation can only take place through
the obedience of individuals and communities to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, whose power
changes the lives of men and women by releasing them from the guilt, power, and consequences
of sin, enabling them to respond with love toward God and toward others (Rom. 5:5), and
making them “new creatures in Christ” (2 Cor. 5:17). We have come to see that the goal of
transformation is best described by the biblical vision of the Kingdom of God. This new way of
being human in submission to the Lord of all has many facets. In particular, it means striving to
bring peace among individuals, races, and nations by overcoming prejudices, fears, and
preconceived ideas about others. It means sharing basic recourses like food, water, the means of
healing, and knowledge. It also means working for a greater participation of people in the
decisions which affect their lives, making possible an equal receiving from others and giving of
themselves. Finally, it means growing up into Christ in all things as a body of people dependent
upon the work of the Holy Spirit and upon each other.

5.3.3 Upliftment
From Pope Leo XIII until Vatican II, the predominant value the Church sought to promote in
society was social stability and order. The Church would speak out on behalf of the poor but, at
the same time, exhort the poor to be patient and not disturb the existing order. The poor were
invited to follow the suffering Christ – a call usually supported by an escapist and other-worldly
spirituality.

The mission of Church to society is neither to uphold the status quo, nor to topple it by violent
means. Its challenge is to give a deliberately chosen and lived witness of contradiction to the
unjust status quo, and of opposition to those who seek to uphold it because they benefit from it.

The afflictions of the poor, in Jesus’ time as much as today, were in large measure caused by
repression, discrimination and exploitation by the rich and powerful, the upholders of the status
quo. In his ministry, Jesus focused quite deliberately on those who had been pushed aside: in
his compassionate outreach to these outcasts, Jesus concretely embodied God’s reign as good
news for the poor; God’s reign would mean the end of their misery and the introduction of a
new order of social relationships based on the principle of inclusion. No one is excluded from
the love of God “who causes his sun to rise on bad as well as good, and sends down rain to fall
on the upright and the wicked alike” (Mt 5:45). What amazes one again and again is the
inclusiveness of Jesus’ mission. It embraces both poor and rich, both the oppressed and
oppressor, both the sinners and the devout. His mission is one of dissolving alienation and
breaking down walls of hostility, of crossing boundaries between individuals and groups.

6. Theological Implications on Church


6.1 Church as People of God
The church is ‘God’s own people’ (1 Pet. 2:9). One belongs to the ‘household of faith’. Gal.
6:10, as one belongs to a family or a nation. He inherits his membership, and yet he exerts his
citizenship. This membership is God’s gift, and yet we must accept it. God brings His people
into existence through His mercy, and in turn they declare His wonderful deeds. 15 The people of
God can come together and join their hands in the transformation of the world. Christian
education through curriculum can be implemented by the Church in order to shape the society.

6.2 Church as community of called people


In Ekklessia, Ek = out of, klesia = call. Therefore the “called out” ones. It is used in the new
testament in many different ways, sometimes referring to a single community, sometimes to the
whole church and sometimes to the churches (in plural) (2 Cor.1:1; 1 Cor. 10:32; 1 Thes. 2:14).
It is both assembly of persons and a corporate body of those who have been “called out.” The
scriptures do focus on a calling out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9) and a
calling into the fellowship of His Son (1 Cor 1:9) and turning to God from idols (1 Thes 1:9).16
The Church as a community of called people, through Christian education, can lighten the world
by abolishing the evil practices, removing the oppressing structures of the society and
redempting them from the bondages of social evil.

15
Randolph Crump Miller, The Educational Mission of the Church, (New York,World council of Christian Education
and Sunday School Association, 1962), pg 8
16
Randolph Crump Miller, The Educational Mission of the Church,………………………pg 14
6.3 Church as fellowship
‘Koinonia’ means fellowship, communion, community, sharing and participation. We are told
that after the first converts at Pentecost were baptized, they ‘devoted themselves to the apostles”
teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers’ (Acts 2:42). Paul speaks of
‘participation in the spirit (Phi.2:1) and of participation in the body and blood of Christ. (1 Cor.
10:16. 17 The Church can serve as a fellowship for those who are discriminated, hated, and
rejected by the society. The Church can open up the doors and share from their resources
towards the marginalized community of the society. The Church can participate in the good
cause of liberating the oppressed and suppressed in the society and welcome them to be the part
of the fellowship which can nurture them through love and care.

7. Conclusion
The Church in the world is a not just a mere fellowship but the community of believers who are
united in faith and joined in action for the social change. Christian education can shape the
society and influence the society to be Christlike community. Church through Christian
education can reach out to the world in a wider spectrum and affect the society by educating it.

Bibliography
Albert Coe, George. A Social Theory of Religious Education. New York: Charles Scribners
Sons), 1917.
Byane. H.W., (ed.,), A Christian Approach to Education. Michigan: Zondervan Publishing
House, 1971.
Cosmao, Vincent. Changing the World. New York: Orbis Books, 1984.

Crump Miller, Randolph. The Educational Mission of the Church. New York,World council of
Christian Education and Sunday School Association, 1962.
Crump Miller, Randolph Christian Nurture and The Church. New York, Charles Scribner’s
Sons, 1961.
Donald, Hagner A. World Biblical Commentary. Texas: World Book Publisher, 1993.
Mckibben, Frank M. Christian Education Through the church. New York, Abingdon-Coklesbury
Press, 1947.
Ranck. Allan, Education for Mission. New York: Friendship Press, 1961.
Wright, Eric E. A Practical Theology of Missions; Dispelling the mystery; recovering the
passion. Malta: Gutenberg press, 2010.

17
Randolph Crump Miller, The Educational Mission of the Church,…………………..pg 9
Ramesh, Ghanta, and B.N. Dash. Foundations of Education. Hyderabad: Neelkamal Publications
Pvt. Ltd., 2004.

Vries, Egbert De. Man in Rapid Social Change. London: SCM Press Ltd, 1961.

Online Source

“Social Change Defined,” n.d. https://www.cliffsnotes.com/study-guides/sociology/social-


change-and-movements/social-change-defined.

https://www.merriam-webster.com, Accessed on 4/7/17, at 3:30pm.


https://www.researchgate.net, Accessed on 4/7/17, at 3:30pm.

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