Michael Milton

Michael Milton and Faith for Living, Inc.

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March 8, 2018

The Sacred Household of Resident Aliens: The Rudiments of a Reformed Parochial Theology

John Constable. “The Mill Stream, Verso: Night Scene with Bridge;” c.1810

Why “Parish?” Because “paroikos,”—from which came our English word “Parish,”—means (classical Greek) “near the household.” It also is used in the Bible (Koine Greek)  to refer to “strangers” (or, to borrow from Haurhaus and Willimon: “Resident Aliens,” 1989).

Peter writes of believers as “parishioners,” i.e., “paroikous” (παροίκους) in 1 Peter 2:11:

“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles [παροίκους] to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul” (1 Peter 2:11 ESV).

The concept of “Parish” best describes the Bible’s (the Lord’s) demonstrated intent for the communal settling, spiritual, and evangelistic-numerical growth of believers: to be settled into an ordered pastoral community—a household of faith—where Word, Sacrament, and Prayer are offered in worship, work, and witness to enfold believers into the life of Christ in community (Acts 2:42).

Are we a “congregation?” Well, of course. A “church,”—ecclesia—? Indelibly so. But we quite Biblically a Parish: not merely a “district,” but a Christ-covenanted household of “resident aliens,” where pastor and people relate as spiritual family, and where we invite others to our Father, our God, through His only begotten Son, in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Bibliography

Cady, Linell E. “A Model for a Public Theology.” The Harvard Theological Review 80, no. 2 (April 01, 1987): 193-212. Accessed March 08, 2018. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/1509607?refreqid=search-gateway:e7150b4d8b0f366cd94bd6e4fb59f22c.

Duff, Jeremy, and John William. Wenham. The Elements of New Testament Greek. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2005.

Evans, Illtud. “Parochial Theology.” Life of the Spirit (1946-1964) 3, no. 28 (October 01, 1948): 149-53. Accessed March 08, 2018. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/43703669?refreqid=search-gateway:290d76c82a79f73a1d45c11d0009a5bf.

Mccallum, John. “The Reformation of the Ministry in Fife, 1560–1640.” History 94, no. 3 (315) (July 01, 2009): 310-27. Accessed March 08, 2018. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/24429053?refreqid=search-gateway:730565e65e2a9d0282d5b10bf6cabcc4.

O’Riordan, Seán. “The Present State of Pastoral Theology.” The Furrow 36, no. 4 (April 01, 1985): 207-16. Accessed March 08, 2018. http://www.jstor.org/stable/10.2307/27678043?refreqid=search-gateway:52718445b7c739724e632007e56f0541.

Thornton, Martin. Pastoral Theology: A Reorientation. Place of Publication Not Identified: Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2010.

Vitillo, Robert J. “Parish‐based Social Ministry: From a Theological and Historical Perspective.” Social Thought 12, no. 3 (1986): 30-38. Accessed March 8, 2018. doi:10.1080/15426432.1986.10383566.

Wood, Roger. “One Way to God: An Exploration of Parochial Spirituality.” Theology 86, no. 713 (1983): 340-45. Accessed March 8, 2018. doi:10.1177/0040571×8308600505

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What is Faith For Living?

Faith for Living is the 501c3 North Carolina non-profit ministry of the Rev. Michael A. Milton, Ph.D. that exists to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ to as many people as possible, through every means available, so that there will be a multitude caught up to be with Jesus Christ when He comes again. Faith for Living reaches out to support individuals, the Church, and other non-profits through communication, discipleship, and education.

Featured Music of Michael Milton

“Jesus Came” words & music by Michael Anthony Milton
© 1999, 2012, 2020 Bethesda Music (a div. of Faith for Living, Inc.) | BMI

Featured Resource

“When your heart is broken, when your spirit is so crushed that you wonder if you will live again; when your life is in a total blackout; then, this book will give you the light and strength you need to carry on.”

—Russell, Amazon Reviews.

Songs in the Night is available in paperback and Kindle. COMING SOON: Songs in the Night: How God Transforms Our Pain to Praise will be released as an audiobook on AUDIBLE.

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