Date of Award
4-1-2020
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Systematic Theology
First Advisor
Joel Okamoto
Scripture References in this Resource
Matthew 24:42–44; Colossians 2:8; John 1:12–13; 1 John 3:1-2; 1 John 5:1; John 5:19–24; Matthew 6:9; Mark 3:35; Luke 9:23; Luke 9:24; John 3:3-6; John 3:5; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 4:4–5; 1 Peter 1:3; John 14:15–21; Romans 8:11–17; Acts 10:44–45; Ephesians 2:17–19; Colossians 3:5; Hebrews 12:7–10; 1 Peter 1:14–17; 1 Peter 4:16–17; 1 Corinthians 10:13; Romans 8:28–39; Galatians 3:26–27; Titus 3:5-8; 1 Corinthians 12:13; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 1 Corinthians 7:8; Luke 22:14; Luke 22:28–29; Exodus 12:46–48; 1 Corinthians 10:16–17;
Abstract
Lukas, Rebekah L. “The Christian Family: Implications of Familial Language for the Identity of the Church.” M.A. thesis, Concordia Seminary, 2020. 85 pp.
The family is a prominent image for the identity of the Church. Biblical language reflects the truth that the Church is a family, and God’s promises include familial rhetoric. For Christians, God is “Our Father who art in heaven,” and Jesus is our brother. Christians are made “sons of God” through Baptism, becoming a member of the whole family of God. These are essential aspects of the Christian’s identity. When the Church neglects its use of this language, and in turn neglects its teaching of ‘Church is family’, the body of believers loses aspects of the richness of its identity. This thesis shows why the Church should be defending its definition as ‘a family’ and the impact this definition has on corporate and individual identity and life.
Recommended Citation
Lukas, Rebekah, "The Christian Family: Implications of Familial Language for the Identity of the Church" (2020). Master of Art Theology Thesis. 90.
https://scholar.csl.edu/ma_th/90
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