[B-Greek] Ecclesiological questions

Carl W. Conrad cwconrad at artsci.wustl.edu
Wed May 9 06:44:19 EDT 2007


Please do not bring up issues of ecclesiology and theology in this  
forum; our focus is upon the Biblical Greek language and the Biblical  
Greek text as such, not upon implications that are read into or out  
of those texts.

FAQ (http://www.ibiblio.org/bgreek/faq.html):

"B-Greek is not a forum for general Bible issues, except insofar as  
they may bear specifically upon interpretation of a particular Greek  
text, Neither is it a forum for general or specific hermeneutical or  
theological issues.

"Keeping discussion informative and constructive:

"-- Comments should focus upon issues directly related to Biblical  
Greek or a biblical Greek text. If, in the judgment of list- 
moderators, discussion is moving beyond parameters deemed appropriate  
for the list, a thread may be closed; those who continue to post on a  
closed thread may lose list privileges."

Carl W. Conrad
Co-Chair, B-Greek List

On May 9, 2007, at 1:06 AM, Kevin Riley wrote:

> 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





More information about the B-Greek mailing list