Coptic Church & Ecumenical Movement - Saint Mina Coptic ...

4. Dr. Silke-Petra Bergjan presented a paper entitled ‘A Reformed View of Tradition
and Scripture’. According to her presentation, the Reformed understanding of
Scripture was developed in the historical context of the 16 th century and has to be
seen in this perspective. At the same time, it raises the axiomatic question of
Scripture as a theological principle.
i. Calvin and the confessions of the 16 th century speak about Scripture in
connection with revelation. This led to the identification of Scripture and the
Word of God (issues mentioned: authority of Scripture, inward illumination of
the Spirit and inspiration, Scripture as the norm of Christian faith).
ii. The 18 th century was characterised mainly by a discussion of reason and
revelation. The Bible was understood as a document of revelation; the
historical approach was developed to explain religious experience and the
Bible.
iii. Reformed reactions to this development:
a. Historical-critical exegesis
b. The relation of revelation and Scripture (cf. Karl Barth, the threefold
Word-incarnated, written and preached).
c. Scripture as part of the positive description of Church life (cf.
Schleiermacher: Scripture was no longer dealt with in the prolegomena to
theology but as part of the positive description of church life).
d. The concept of revelation and history.
5. Father Dr. K.M. George presented a paper entitled ‘Nature and Mission of the
Church-An Oriental Orthodox Perspective’. It included the following points:
Koinonia rooted in ecclesial experience summarises the Orthodox understanding
of the Church. The Oriental Orthodox churches are enriched by great cultural and
liturgical diversity. The one apostolic faith is expressed in different linguistic and
cultural contexts. The oikumene of God goes beyond the old Roman-Byzantine
imperial borders. The local and universal dimensions of this one Church are
expressed in various ways without contradiction. The Orthodox understanding of
mission is characterised by faithfulness to the apostolic tradition and compassion
for God’s world. For historical reasons the Orthodox churches developed a
‘missiophobia’ with regard to aggressive western missions.
Three aspects of the Orthodox missionary calling are: (i) Martyria (witness), (ii)
Many ways of the Spirit, (iii) Hospitality (philoxenia). The self-giving love of
God is the only motive for incarnation. It is God’s hospitality. The kenotic
hospitality where guest and host become one in genuine love and mutual respect is
a proper model for mission.
6. Reverend Dr. Samuel Habib presented a paper entitled ‘The Nature and Mission
of the Church: A Reformed View’. It included the following points:
The Church is the body of Christ, a fellowship of true believers. Reformed
confessions emphasised the necessity of the institutional Church. Reformed
theology emphasises the priesthood of all believers. Reformed Churches practise
preaching, sacraments and discipline. They confess what they believe on the basis
of the sole authority of the Scripture.
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