Overcoming Adventist Ecclesiological Impasses

Abstract

This chapter offers a brief demonstration of how the new theoretical framework of the Adventist remnant version of communio ecclesiology can assist the global Adventist community to address some of the most challenging practical issues that its members are currently facing in regard to church structure, ministry, mission, communal interpretation and reform. It is hoped that the reader will see the plausibility and usefulness of the proposed theoretical framework when it is applied successfully to the resolution—or, at least, to a richer theological interpretation—of some of the most divisive Adventist tensions. In addition to confronting these five divisive issues, this chapter outlines four regulative principles that should guide any construction of a well-rounded and comprehensive version of communio ecclesiology. These include the principles of indivisibility, balance, comprehensiveness and ontological embeddedness.