Decently and in Order: A Theological Reflection on the ORder for, and the Order in, the Church

by Pieter Coertzen

No Church can evade the issue of an order in the church and no theology can evade the question of what to do with the pronouncements in Holy Scripture that have to do with order in the church. What does a church and a theology do with the clear pronouncement that Jesus Christ is the Lord and Head of the church, His Body? Decently and in Order reflects on the matter of an order in and an order for the Church. A set of methodological beacons are identified that can be helpful in the scientific study of church law and the everyday practice of church government. In this process dialogue is taken up with various theologies, theologians, church jurists and denominations. Chapters are also dedicated to the position of church law in the theological encyclopaedia, the sources for church law and church government, what a Church Order is and the History of Church Law and Church Government.

296 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 2004