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Dr. Emmanuel Hung originally presented
this workshop on December 28, 2002 at the WCCCC Winter Conference.
The Root of Evangelical Churches
Nowadays, we have as many as denominations as one can name. What is the
map of Christianity? How does a
responsible 21st century Christian respond to, and live in an
environment of denominations. The workshop
would trace back the family tree of Christianity and excite a Christian
to think how to deal with fellow
believers in truth, love and the light of Jesus coming. Originally in
Cantonese.
Dr. Emmanuel Hung is currently the Professor & Director of Theological
Education by Extension at Christian Witness Theological Seminary. He
completed his Ph.D. at Westminster Theological Seminary in 2001. Pastor
Hung enjoys camping, hiking and music with his wife and two sons, ages 3
and 6.
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A. Who are evangelicals?
- All who emphasize: 1. Jesus Christ is
the only way to salvation, 2. Personal faith and born again, 3. Bible
is the only basis for faith and living, 4. Commitment to biblical
witness and evangelism. (Operation World, 2001). Someone who believes
in: 1. Centrality of conversion as the criterion for entering KOG, 2.
Bible as revelation [adopt literal interpretation]. (Encycl. of
Evangelicalism, 2002).
- Include all independent churches, many
mainline Protestants and Anglicans, some Catholics and Orthodox. Right
now, there are more than 22,000 denominations/groups of the
Independents.
B. Churches subscribing to
evangelicalism (1730 –2002, mainly American term)
- Grew from a clash on theology and
polity. In 1881, controversy of bible inerrancy, eschatology began. In
1910-20, clashes again on fundamentalism, charismatic movement.
- Traced back to Great Awakening
(1735-45): Whitfield, Edwards, etc. They emphasized conversion,
experience of new birth and piety. Second Great Awakening (1800-1830):
C. Finney (Arminian), Edwards(Calvinist). The abolitionist controversy
(slavery) led to split between north and south.
C. Referring to Protestantism (1521
Diet of Worms to 1730)
- Without Reformation, there is no
evangelical.
- Luther raised the authority of Bible,
conscience and reason above the church authority and tradition. In
1534 Act of Supremacy, the Church of England (Episcopal) broke off
too.
D. Originating from New Testament
(A.D. to 1521)
- Without the Catholic (universal)
Church, there is no Reformation.
- In 1054 the Great Schism, the split
between Greek Orthodox Church and Catholic Church. Jesus’ kingdom
parable: a mustard seed grow into a tree (Lk 13:19).
E. Our Response
- Insist on criteria like polity?
Charismatic movement? What are the basic tenets of Evangelicalism?
- What is the basis for fellowship? What
is truth? Don’t mix up tradition, opinion, even confession with truth.
What about Jesus’ command of love and unity? (cf. Jn 17). Be open,
sensitive and balance.
- Accept denominations and polity, etc.
as historical fact. They are peripheral, not the core.
- Fear God, we are not the judge. Even
maintain a stricter standard does not mean you are better than others.
God allows many forms to suit all the people He loves. We should have
a heart like God’s.
- Note the signs of reconciliation. Know
that Jesus is working to bring about one church for Himself.
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