[B-Greek] (no subject)
Kevin Riley
klriley at alphalink.com.au
Wed May 9 01:06:49 EDT 2007
It is not so much that they have the same meaning but that they have the
same referents - i.e. The two words are used to refer to the same group of
people doing the same work. I would see the two words as emphasising
slightly different aspects of the group's work, but still referring to the
general function of oversight of a Christian group. In later times the two
definitely came to refer to different functions - or similar functions at
different levels is perhaps the more correct way to put it. That is more
the issue in Wesley's day - that a priest [presbuteros] did not then have
the authority to ordain priests, only bishops [episcopoi] did.
BTW John Wesley is probably not the best theologian to read too much of if
you wish to remain an independent church - it is not a concept of which he
would approve. Despite having to separate from the CoE, he remained
committed to the idea of a catholic church. I'd give references, but it is
a long time since I read his work, and it is definitely outside the area of
BGreek.
Kevin Riley
-------Original Message-------
From: udking at juno.com
Date: 9/05/2007 1:31:23 PM
I am a newbie in Bgreek. However, I have enjoyed the posts. My church is in
the process of formulating an ecclesiology; having just left her mother
denomination to remain an independent church. My superintendent is following
John Wesley's train of thought; where the later justifies his ordination of
priests against the wishes of the church leaders by stating that the
presbyteros have the same function as the episcopes. I am not clear as to
why he thinks this is case since both Greek words do not seem to have the
same meaning, or do they?
B. Jacobs
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