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" The church as the household of God: A biblical and sociocultural study "
Simon K. Varghese
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Latin Dissertation
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| Language of Document
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English
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| Record Number
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55381
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| Doc. No
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TL25335
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| Call number
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3159973
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| Main Entry
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Simon K. Varghese
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| Title & Author
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The church as the household of God: A biblical and sociocultural study\ Simon K. Varghese
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| College
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Asbury Theological Seminary
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| Date
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2005
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| Degree
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D.Miss.
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2005
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| Page No
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292
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| Abstract
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This study investigates the image of the church as the household of God and the relevance of this image for effective mission in India, using a sociocultural approach. Three major areas are studied: biblical, Greco-Roman, and Indian concepts of household. Close attention is given to three important aspects of the household: roles, functions, and relationships within the household setting, in order to present the gospel meaningfully. The missiological concern is how to embody church community in household units that overcome caste, language, geographical, and denominational segregation. Chapter 2 discusses the biblical teaching on the household of God from Genesis onwards. In the Bible the household image developed from the very beginning and culminates in the image of the great marriage of the bride, the church, at the second coming of Christ. Sibling language in Scripture is discussed in relation to Israel and the church and its significance for the mission of the church in India and elsewhere is investigated. Chapter 3 traces household understandings and practices in the Greco-Roman world and explains how the early church challenged the existing system with the biblical understanding of the household of God. Chapter 4 describes the household system in the Indian social setting and its basis in the Hindu sacred scriptures, Mahabharata , Ramayana, and Manusmrti. The household concept in Indian society presupposes and enforces caste differentiation, thus dividing the community along caste lines. Both positive and negative aspects of the Indian household system are noted in examining household roles, functions, and relationships. Chapter 5 draws out the missiological implications of the household of God and assesses the challenges facing the church in India today. The argument is advanced that the household of God model provides a functional basis for all Christian brothers and sisters to mingle together socially, overcoming caste, language, denominational, and geographical barriers. The household of God approach can be an effective way to challenge the age-old caste system of Indian society. Chapter 6 summarizes the study and evaluates the potential for the mission of the church in India through contextualizing the household of God within Indian household understandings and practices. In this approach the church need not be identified with a particular building but rather can meet as the household of God wherever the brothers and sisters can come together. Also, since the household of God image is a universal one it provides a basis for the church in India to relate effectively with the church in other parts of the world. In contrast, other models which were introduced in India from the West have had a very limited influence on society and have attracted only a limited number of people. This study provides evidence that the household of God image can enable the church to have an impact on the Indian community and can help to overcome caste and denominational barriers.
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Philosophy, religion and theology; Biblical; Church; Household of God; Sociocultural; Bible; Theology; 0321:Bible; 0469:Theology
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Asbury Theological Seminary
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