Abstract:
In this article the concept of ‘church’ in the Old Testament is investigated, the way this concept
started, developed and evolved is discussed, and then the question is asked whether it is
possible to employ this concept in our current context. The concepts and terms in the Old
Testament which were later translated and developed into the concept ‘church’, are studied
first. Secondly the traditional arguments to employ these Old Testament texts to the concept of
‘church’ will be discussed. Finally a study on the nature of Old Testament texts will be
conducted as well as the probable authority that it can or may have in other cultures and times
in order to examine whether the Old Testament may have something to say about ecclesiology.
Description:
This research is part of the
project, ‘Second Temple
Literature and Qumran’,
directed by Dr Ananda
Geyser-Fouche of the
Department Old Testament
Studies, Faculty of Theology,
University of Pretoria.
