John Fuellenbach is professor of theology at Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. In Church: Community for the Kingdom, Fuellenbach urges the Church to better understand the Kingdom of God and apply its principles. His work illuminates the mission of the Church amidst its individualistic tendencies. Fuellenbach begins with an overview of Jesus’ intentions for the church, then proceeds to an analysis of Roman Catholic teachings regarding the Kingdom of God, and ends with Church models that exemplify New Testament principles. Although he uses the Roman Catholic Church as his source of history and church models, Fuellenbach’s suggestions are applicable to every congregation and denomination that follows Jesus.
Fuellenbach sets the stage in his introduction by stressing the necessity of Church community for humans to respond to God and His call to mission. In studying the role of the church, he first summarizes various theories regarding Jesus’ intent (or lack thereof) in forming a church. He concludes that the church serves as an “interim” between Jesus’ teachings while on earth, and the eventual full realization of the Kingdom of God. Just as Jesus urged the community of Israel to conform to His likeness, so must the church today continually reinvent itself in accomplishing its mission. The church as defined by Catholic teachings are then explored and evaluated. With the advent of Vatican II theology, the church no longer was confined to fixed definitions or clear meanings. Rather, models of church were attempted through broad Biblical images: church as the people of God, the body of Christ, and the temple of the Holy Spirit. Fuellenbach makes clear that the church and Kingdom of God are separate entities. While the Kingdom is present in the Church, its boundaries expand to enclose all of Creation that will one day be redeemed.
In recognizing the limits of definitions, and specifically in failing to apply Kingdom principles to international contexts during Vatican II, the Roman Catholic Church is now paying closer attention to global trends and sources of theology that make varied models of church possible. Fuellenbach concludes by presenting models of church that Christians around the world can look to and emulate as we reinvent ourselves for the 21st century.
I was deeply impressed by the applicability of Fuellenbach’s work to the church as a whole. In emphasizing the role of community, he in no way gives reason to deepen the schisms that typify Christianity. The church is thus urged, both as institution and as a community of believers, to commune with one another and extend ourselves to our relative contexts. I am most struck by our short-comings when I see Western (or as Fuellenbach explores, Greco-Roman) models of church imposed on majority-world Christians. In almost every church I have ever visited – whether in the capital of Ouagadougou or in a remote village – I wonder what the Kingdom of God would look like if it were made appropriate to its current context. However, I also acknowledge my tendency to remain so rooted in the past – because I see so much value in history and tradition – that I have not allowed myself to “reinvent.” How does the church continually transform itself while remaining rooted in New Testament principles? It is a topic I hope I never stop exploring.
I am thankful that Fuellenbach leaves room for mystery. While contrasting views are not made obsolete, mystery (hopefully) allows us as a community of believers to work together with renewed grace and understanding.
Daphne, this is a good review. You pick out particular themes from the book and engage with them well. To make it even better, you should identify the thesis of the book and summarize the sections by commenting on how they support that thesis. Also, try to apply the material in the book to your case study and actually make practical suggestions regarding how what the author has to say should change things.