Leaven Leaven

Volume 2 Issue 1 Church Organization Article 14

1-1-1992

The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Jerome The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Jerome

Murphy-O'Connor Murphy-O'Connor

Mark Love mlove@rc.edu

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Recommended Citation Recommended Citation Love, Mark mlove@rc.edu (1992) "The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Jerome Murphy-O'Connor," Leaven: Vol. 2: Iss. 1, Article 14. Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol2/iss1/14

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42 Leaven, Winter 1992

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BOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKSBOOKS

DEACONS: MALE AND FEMALEJ" Stephen SandiferHouston: Keystone Publishing, 1989

Sandifer's study, written from within and forthe churches of Christ, provides useful informationfor the intense discussion that lies on the nearhorizon for us in regard to the possibility and ap-propriateness of women deacons. He also attempts,on a smaller scale, to delineate the proper under-standing of the male diaconate.

Sandifer divides his book into four parts: (1)textual considerations, in which he deals with theconcept of deacons prior to Christianity and howthey are described in the NewTestament; (2)histori-cal development, in which he surveys the writingsabout deacons in the early church and during thetime of the Reformation Movement; (3) the Resto-ration Movement, where he details how the diaconatehas been understood in our particular religioustradition; and (4) contemporary implications, inwhich he presents his own conclusions. These fourmain sections are followed by three appendices:"Diavkono" in the New Testament," "Deacons inPost NewTestament Literature," and "Qualificationsof Elders and Deacons."

While the title of the book includes both maleand female, it is clear early on that the emphasis

Jack Reese, Editor

falls on gaining more acceptability for women dea-cons. Written for an audience thathas few questionsabout male deacons, this is a necessary and impor-tant emphasis.

Parts Two and Three are by far the most helpfulsections of the book. Certainly, Sandifer's survey ofthe writings of the early church and through theRestoration Movement is not exhaustive, but hedoes present an adequate overview of most of theleading attitudes. His summary of the historicaldevelopment ofthe diaconate provides an importantservice for a tradition that often overlooks the his-torical reasons things are as they are. Whether wewant to admit it or not, we approach the diaconate inour time in a particular way because of how thechurch (or our tradition) has understood it for a longtime. An awareness ofthat historical process can bea liberating experience in looking at the questionsabout male and female deacons anew.

Sandifer's presentation of the historical mate-rial is useful, but he is writing for an audience whichstill desires to base its actions in Scripture. Unfor-tunately, then, the weakest link in his presentationis the first part in which he discusses the NewTestament texts. He deals directly with those textsvery little; instead, he cites others' opinions aboutthem. While it is important to see how others haveinterpreted the pertinent passages, it would have

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Love: The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Jerome Murp

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1992

been more helpful if he had examined the textsthemselves in a primary way. As it is, it would beeasy for someone to line up other "authorities" whodisagree with the ones Sandifer has assembled.

There is an underlying question in parts of thebook regarding how standard Sandifer regards firstcentury church polity. He says that Paul's failure tomention either elders or deacons in the Corinthianletters is a "significant exception to what otherwiseappears to be standard polity in Pauline churches"(30). In reality, if Paul's letters are the basis forunderstanding first century church polity the situa-tion isjust the opposite. Since Paul does not mentionelders or deacons in Romans, Galatians, Ephesians,Colossians, I Thessalonians, II Thessalonians, orPhilemon, might we not argue that their presence isthe exception to the typical polity in Paulinechurches? However, in his last chapter, "The NewTestament Pattern," Sandifer returns to the issue ofjust how standard church polity was in the firstcentury and raises some significant questions andsuggests that variety may have been the norm inthis regard.

Since Sandifer's goal was to present documentsthat bear on this question (not to answer the ques-tion), one is not prepared for the rather firm conclu-sions in his last two chapters. Without takingexception to his conclusions, they would be morecompelling if they had been based on a fresh ex-amination ofthe primary texts instead ofa collectionof citations from the secondary literature.

A minor, but irritating, aspect ofthe book is itsuse of Greek. One can only wonder why so manyGreek terms are included for an audience which,clearly for the most part, does not know Greek. Butbesides that, there are several misspellings ofGreekwords and none of the regular critical markings are'used. It would probably have been more helpfuleither to transliterate or simply to translate theterms appropriately.

Overall, Sandifer has assembled someimportanttexts and has made some significant suggestionsregarding them. As we continue our discussion ofthis very important issue, his volume will be animportant one, primarily to remind us of where wehave been and why. If it can stir us to renewedexamination ofthe Biblical materials wemay gain aclearer vision ofwhere we ought to go.

TOMGEERABILENE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

Church Structure 43

MULTIPLE STAFF MINISTRIESKenneth R. Mitchell.Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1988.

"Your mission, should you choose to acceptit, is to disable the operations of this staff withinforth-eight hours." This fanciful and disturbingsuggestion is part ofan exercise that examines staffweaknesses in Kenneth Mitchell's book, MultipleStaff Ministries. It is the last of sixteen steps in aself-study that lies at the heart of this fascinatingwork on multiple member church staffs.

Kenneth Mitchell begins by acknowledgingthe difficulties associated with church staffs andpresents intriguing case studies as evidence. First,he offers a two chapter sketch of systems theory asthe basis for understanding the dynamics within astaff. Systems theory terminology is clearly explainedand then blended with examples of church staffrelationships to illustrate the theory.

After this brief primer on systems theory,Mitchell presents a framework for conducting a self-study by a church staff. This exercise takes the formof sixteen questions that probe church and staffrelationships. Each question is followed by sug-gestions for delving deeper into this line ofthought.Followingthe questions, he offers abrief explanationof the importance and relevance of this issue in achurch staff setting. A few of the topics covered arespace usage; church history; church losses; staffroles; and church/staff secrets. Two particularlyinteresting concerns addressed were secrets andvulnerabilities. In the exercises the group is askedto explore the staffs past and determine if anyunspoken secrets are influencing the staffs (or thechurch's) behavior. Also, the participants in thestudy are asked to determine areas ofvulnerabilitieswithin the staff. Then, the participants are invitedto suggest ways to strengthen the areas ofweaknessthey have uncovered.

Mitchell follows the self-examination withan analysis ofan actual church's efforts to follow theexercise. Another chapter allows the reader to lookover the shoulder ofa church consultant as he probesthe staff relationships in an actual church. Thisglimpse into the work of a church consultant alongwith the author's comments were fascinating.

Adiscussion ofspecific issues and principlesof multiple staff ministry rounds out the book.Specific topics such as female ministers and couplesfunctioning as ministry teams are also addressed.

Mitchell may be open to some criticism onthe basis that the examples and case studies hepresents are painted in rather broad strokes. Itseems much easier to diagnose the cause of staff

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44 Leaven, Winter 1992

problems in his case studies than in real life. How-ever, considering the scope of the systems theorycovered, Mitchell has done an admirable job inpreparing a useful tool for a ministry team.

This work would serve as an excellent re-source for a staff of any size to use. The greatestrewards would come from using the book as thecenterpiece of a staff retreat where the book wouldbe read separately by everyone and then the self-study exercise conducted as a team.

By Steven ThomasAbilene, Texas

THE THEOLOGY OF THE SECOND LETTER TOTHE CORINTHIANSJerome Murphy-O'Connor, OPCambridge University Press, 1991

In light of the constant need to providequality yet usable resources for adult Bible classesI was delighted to find this volume. This helpfuiboo~ is offered in the New Testament Theologyseries proposed by Cambridge University Press.The stated purpose of the series is to "provide aprogrammatic survey of the individual writings ofthe NewTestamen t. It aims to remedy the deficiencyof available published material which concentrateson the NewTestament writers' theological concern s."The series is edited by J.D.G. Dunn.

This particular volume on II Corinthians iswritten by one of the leading authorities on theCorinthian correspondence. Murphy-O'Connor isthe author ofI Corinthians (NTS series publishedby Michael Glazer Press), the commentary on I andII Corinthians in the Jerome Biblical Commen-tary, the authoritative book St. Paul's Corinth:Text and Archaeology, and numerous academicarticles on the Corinthian correspondence. While hebrings all of his training and learning to the task ofwriting this volume, it is not over-laden with jargonand the prose is fluid and easy to read. It will benefitmany, from the scholar to the Bible class teacher.

Besides the insightful development of themessage of II Corinthians, the value of the book liesin Murphy-O'Connor's insightful analysis of thechronology related to I and II Corinthians and hisanalysis of the opponents. Scholars have oftendebated whether Paul's opponents in II Corinthianswere Palestinian Judaizers or Hellenistic Jews en-couraged in their opposition to Paul by itinerantpreachers. To dismiss totally either group is toignore large chunks of textual evidence. Murphy-

O'Connor proposes a tenuous alliance between twosuch groups. His scenario of events involving theseopponents is compelling and this analysis givesadded depth and insight to the theological develop-ment of the text.

If given the choice of only one book on IICorinthians one would still be hard pressed not tochoose Victor Furnish's commentary in the AnchorBible Series. Yet, true to the intent of this seriesMurphy-O'Connor allows one to see fully the theo-logical forest without getting lost in the exegeticaltrees. It rates a solid second choice.

This book recommends itself to several dif-ferent contexts of use. Sermon suggestion, under-graduate college text, and aid to personal Biblestudy are a few to be mentioned. In particular, if thechurch I attended was in the process of composing a"person description" before embarking on a ministe-rial search, I would highly recommend this book asa resource for adult Bible classes.

By Mark LoveGresham, OR.

CONFLICT IN MARKJack Dean KingsburyFortress Press, 1990

Several excellent resources have been pub-lished in recent years to aid teachers and preachersin the study of the Gospel ofMark. Robert Guelichhas recently written volume one of a two volumecommentary on Mark for the Word Biblical Com-mentary. When completed, this work will serve wellas a technical commentary for Mark students. Mostworks in recent times, however, have been writtenon a popular vein exploring larger themes and pro-viding suggestion for sermons. Lamar Williamson'scommentary, Mark, in the Interpretation Com-mentaryseries (1983),is an excellent example. Manyof these recent treatments present Mark's gospelfrom a holistic perspective, working within the cat-egories ofliterary, rhetorical, and to a certain extentredaction criticism. The result is high level schol-arship accessible to a wide audience.

Jack Dean Kingsbury's Conflict in Mark isa highly readable book detailing the characters ofMark's gospel and demonstrating how their inter-play forms the conflict that carries the narrativealong. Bound up in the conflict of the gospel aremajor motifs focused on the identity of Jesus. Themessianic secret, so crucial to the message of Markis drawn in bold relief through the conflict drawn outby the characters.

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Love: The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Jerome Murp

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1992

The outline ofthe book is simple. Kingsburyintroduces the reader to the major players in thenarrative. Jesus, the disciples, the religious au-thorities, the demons, and minor characters allfunction in predictable ways. After briefly present-ing the role and function of each group, Kingsburydevotes a chapter each to Jesus, the religious au-thorities, and the disciples. Each chapter is simplyand clearly written and is peppered with scripturecitations and references to other helpful works.While informed by Kingsbury's excellent scholar-ship, the book is not burdened with technical jargon.

I spent weeks running down Kingsbury'sleads in my own study of the gospel of Mark. Mostofthe time I was richly rewarded by the suggestionsprovided. This is the mark (please excuse the pun)of a good book.

This book could be used to its full extent byanyone within the congregation. An adult Bibleclass would benefit from reading it together. I haveused it as an undergraduate text in Synoptic studies.A paperback form Fortress press, the book is af-fordable and recommended to all who are studyingthe gospel of Mark in-depth.

Mark Love

MODELS OF THE CHURCH: Expanded EditionAvery DullesImage Books, 1987

In describing the particular it is sometimeshelpful to have a type or paradigm from which tobase observations and make connections. H. Rich-ard Niebuhr's book, Christ and Culture, is aclassic example of an attempt to describe a set ofparadigms that characterize in a general typicalapproaches to the relationship of Christand the

Church Structure 45

world. Though flawed, Niebuhr's book gave us somehandles to describe and differentiate our approachesto culture. "Christ verses culture," "Christ of cul-ture," "Christ and culture in paradox," and "Christtransforming culture" have become a part of ourtheological vocabulary.

Avery Dulles' book falls within this samecategory. ACatholic theologian writing in the shadowofVatican II, Dulles is concerned to differentiate five"models of the church." They are as follows: Insti-tution; Mystical Communion; Sacrament; Herald;and Servant. While some of the labels are foreign toour way of speaking, the models are recognizablefrom Dulles' excellent descriptions. Even though hewrites from a Catholic perspective, much ofwhat wehave seen in church life is described. The exceptionto this might be the "Sacrament" model. It appearsto be a hybrid ofInstitution and Mystic Communionand as such does not function as purely as a type asdo the others.

Each model is described and evaluated forstrengths and weaknesses. His insights are inter-esting and helpful for evaluating both a particularcongregation and the tradition in which our con-gregation lies.

The expanded edition of the book first pub-lished in 1978 is notable due to the inclusion of achapter entitled, "The Church: Community of Dis-ciples." Here Dulles uses the theological notion ofthe church as a community to synthesize and drawproper relationships between the four models. It isa very helpful chapter.

Dulles' book is recommended for everyoneinvolved in interpreting congregational life. Thefact is, all of us tend to exploit one model at theexpense of others, thus limiting the meaning andexperience of "church" for those in our congrega-tions.

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46 Leaven, Winter 1992

IN BRIEF

FEEDING AND LEADING: A Practical Handbookon Administration in Churches and Christian Or-ganizationsKenneth O. GangelWheaton, n.: Victor Books, 1989, 329 pages.

Kenneth Gangel has written a lengthyhandbook (some might use it as a reference book)dealing with issues of church administration andleadership. It is a comprehensive examination oftheprocesses of managing the church as an organiza-tion, and yet Gangel attempts to do it with a sensi-tivity to the biblical witness. The greatest assetof the book is its breadth of material. Gangeldiscusses goal-setting, strategic planning, assessingneeds, delegating, motivating, organizing smallgroups, communication, planning and implement-ing business meetings, supervising, evaluating,cultivating a biblical leadership style, and consider-ably more. In each section he suggests resources forchurch leaders, testing instruments for evaluatingthe congregation and its leadership, and he providescharts and diagrams which make the work acces-sible.

His greatest deficit is lack ofdepth. While hediscusses a variety of subjects, he is unable to pro-vide a thorough discussion on any ofit. Moreover, attimes, his assessment of the organizational or ad-ministrative processes seems superficial. His doesnot articulate a philosophy ofminis try or a theory oforganizational management. He moves too quicklyto lists and charts, to strategies and assessments.He does not provide an adequate framework to hanghis suggestions. In addition, his view ofScripture isnot holistic or contextual. Scripture citations pepperhis discussion, but none are discussed in their literaryorhistorical context. Passages are quoted or referredto too frequently and in too casual a way. But evenwith these problems, Gangel's bookmay be extremelyuseful to elders and staffministers ofa congregation,whether large or small. He exposes a number ofissues church leader's should face as they makedecisions, work together, and attempt to providespiritual guidance to a congregation. He provideshelpful suggestions for additional resources whichcould assist the leadership in assessing needs andconstructing strategies.

Feeding and Leading is imminently a "howto" book. Gangel supplies specific and practicalinstructions for delegating, decision-making, stra-tegic planning, supervision, evaluation, leadingmeetings, etc. With its several limitations, churchleaders might find it a useful resource for assessing

congregational needs and re-thinkingcongregationalleadership.

JRR

FAITH CARE: Ministering to All God's Peoplethrough the Ages of LifeDaniel O. AleshirePhiladelphia: Westminster, 1988, 179 pages.

Dan Aleshire has been a long-time professorof psychology and Christian education at SouthernBaptist Theological Seminary in Louisville and iscurrently in a leadership role for the Association ofTheological Schools. His awareness ofthe variety ofministry contexts is extensive. And his sensitive topeople in need is considerable. Dr. Aleshire is fa-miliar with current psychological theories, and histreatment ofthis material is very responsible. But,more importantly, he knows the Word of God and isinsightful in applying that knowledge to hurtingpeople. And his obvious experience in ministrymakes this book imminently practical. Aleshire isnot so much interested in the industry or bureau-cracy of ministry as the sensitive one-to-one atten-tion to struggling individuals-in fact all individu-als who, even in mundane pursuits, are struggling.He makes a defense of what he calls the ministry ofattending. When the hard work of the ministry ofattending is done, people feel blessed and affirmedin their work. Moreover, overall congregationalministry is made more effective.

Aleshire describes the complexities of theministry of attending and the nature of faith de-velopment within a community offaith. Within thatframework, he focuses on attending to children,adolescents, and adults. Within each he articulatesseveral challenges in affective, behavioral, and cog-nitive growth and development.

He suggests various influences on individualsand provides insight into a ministry of attending inthe moral, spiritual, worship, and educational life ofa person in need. For children, adolescents, andadults, he supplies special insights pertaining totheir unique needs. For example, Aleshire discussesthe task of theological reflection for adults and itseffect on receiving and achieving, failure and for-giveness, pain and redemption, loss and surrender,and their maturing faith.

This book is concisely and sensitively writ-ten. It is filled with vivid examples ofhurting peoplewho need a ministry of attending. Aleshire urgesministers to pay attention to people and therebyformulate a realistic and effective ministry to thewhole congregation. This is a useful and practicalboo~ J~

5

Love: The Theology of the Second Letter to the Corinthians, Jerome Murp

Published by Pepperdine Digital Commons, 1992

SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP, RESPONSIBLEMANAGEMENT: AGuide for Leaders ofthe ChurchMichael T. Dibbert.Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1989.

Dibbert writes from his concern that mostministers have very little training in managementfrom their graduate schools or seminaries and thatmost people who function in management in thebusiness world do not understand managementwithin a spiritual community. As a consequence, thespiritual management ofmost congregations is inef-ficient and largely ineffective. Dibbert's task is toprovide church leaders with a rationale for spiritualmanagement which grows out of biblical principlesand which leads to a style ofmanagement unique toa spiritual community. He attempts to discern fromthe Bible a model for contemporary congregationalleadership. He does sowith a clear recognition ofthefunctional differences between 1st and 20th century

Deacons:Male and Female?

by J. Stephen Sandifer

Every church library andconcerned person shouldhave this landmarkbook .... It is gratifying tohave collected, collated,and documented in onebook the full range ofBiblical and historicaldata one needs to arrive ata reasoned and"revelatory" view ofwomen's role in thechurch and a betterinsight into male serviceand leadership roles also.

Russell BoatmanThe Christian Standard

Sandifer provides anexcellent history of theofficial roles that womenhave filled throughoutChristianity. But thisexcellent book is not justabout women as deacons.Sandifer asks that wereconsider ourunderstanding of churchoffices in general ....Sandifer has gone to greatpains to research both theScriptures and thehistorical role of deacons.

John S. ScottThe Christian Chronicle

246 pages, paperback

$10.95 + 1.25 postage and handling

J. Stephen SandiferP. O. Box 35296, Houston, TX 77235-5296

or your Christian book dealer

Church Structure 47

congregations, both in terms of size and organiza-tional needs.

Dibbert's use of the Bible is less than ad-equate. He isolates individual verses, makes refer-ences to texts out of their original contexts, andorganizes principles ofbiblical church leadership byarranging strings of passages with no extrinsic con-nection. By and large, this method undermines histask.

Nevertheless, there are some things ofvaluehere. Dibbert supplies some helpful insights on themission of the local church, the task of equipping,interrelationships within the congregation, effect-ing change, strategic planning, administration, andfinancial stewardship. There is enough of value inthis book, both as to the "whys" and "hows" ofspiritual management, to recommend it to churchleaders who are examining leadership roles andorganizational strategies within their congregation.

JRR

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