Ordination and the boundaries of Biblical theology

Eliezer Gonzalez

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    There have been few serious attempts to develop theologies of ordination. This essay considers whether ordination lies within or outside the boundaries of Biblical theology. It analyses the topic of ordination from the perspective of Biblical theology. This essay demonstrates that it is not possible to argue for our contemporary concept of ordination from the Old Testament, that the Old Testament concepts of priesthood do not transfer to the New Testament (unless one adopts a sacramental theology), and that the term and the concept of ordination do not appear in the New Testament at all as we might recognize them in our contemporary setting. While arguments may be made for ordination from administrative necessity, tradition, and other theological systems, ordination must be understood as lying entirely outside the boundaries of Biblical theology.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)115-133
    Number of pages19
    JournalHermenêutica
    Volume14
    Issue number1
    Publication statusPublished - 2014

    Bibliographical note

    Alternatively titled in Portuguese 'Ordenação e os limites da teologia Bíblica'

    Keywords

    • Ordination
    • Biblical theology
    • Priesthood
    • Sacramental theology
    • New Testament

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