The Ecclesiology of Donald Robinson and D. Broughton Knox: Exposition, Analysis, and Theological Evaluation

by Chase R. Kuhn

For the past forty years the "Knox-Robinson Ecclesiology" has been the predominant ecclesiological model in the Sydney Diocese of the Anglican Church of Australia, one that emerged out of a series of theological contributions over two decades. The impact of this ecclesiology can be seen today across four continents (Australia, Europe, North America, Africa). Though pervasive in influence, there has--to date--been no extended systematic articulation of this ecclesiology, nor a serious and sustained appraisal of it. Here, the ecclesiologies of Donald W. B. Robinson (Vice Principal of Moore College 1959-1973, Archbishop of Sydney 1983-1992) and D. Broughton Knox (Principal of Moore College 1959-1985) are presented systematically, then analyzed and evaluated. Here, finally, is a thorough theological engagement with their provocative doctrine of the church.

Genres: Church

252 pages, Paperback

Published April 18, 2017

Reviews

[Colin · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are my reflections based on an email to the chum who suggested reading this book... (getting lazy in my old age...!)

Given that, academically-speaking, I am a hobbyist, my experience of doctrinal theses is scant-to-non-existent. When publishers print a thesis, I reckon a bit of tarting up wouldn't hurt. This felt like I was reading a thesis (or what I image a thesis to be.) More an aesthetic criticism, but it probably creates an expectation that perhaps we may never fully descend from the academic ether. (I guess it's not exactly marketing itself as a Jeremy Clarkson paperback...). Upside is that the structural self-consciousness gives a good sense - especially for the novice - of where you're heading and what's happening. All that is more observation than criticism.

Key thoughts of the lads (DR & DBK).

Church is an Act, not an Identity
DR and DBK both contend that church is visible and invisible, local and heavenly. Traditional ecclesiology adds universal, or global. Our lads reject the third category, and do so in a fairly convincing way. Kuhn certainly probes their biblical, textual, academic and theological justification for reaching that conclusion.

Local Church is temporary, Heavenly "Church" is permanent.
Gk. Ekklesia is a big word in this book. Meaning "gathering", the boys contend that it is temporary in its local setting - the church gathers, then scatters, etc. In heaven, the ekklesia is permanent and eternal.

Believers are spiritually present in heaven, Christ is present by his Spirit in the local gathering.

The Word preached and encountered in the creeds and sacraments is the Centre of the Gathering

Denominations are servants of the local church and have no biblical warrant for exerting any authority over the local church (Ironic, since DR was Archbishop of Sydney!)

Local Church authority/polity seems to be more traditionally Anglican (rector as ruler) than congregational.

Both lads were responding to the ecumenical movement, even though DBK was on a committee of the World Council of Churches...did he tell them he was convinced ecumneicalism was a illegitimate child of true, biblical ecclesiology? (And did he put it EXACTLY like that?)

BITS I ESPECIALLY LIKED

Cool quote from DBK - along the lines of "...redemptive history is the object of glorious, heavenly worship but is invisible to the secular historian."

Some helpful thoughts in the DBK section about the church as One, holy, apostolic and catholic (a word which I still find confusing - best unlocked by the every tribe and tongue reality of the heavenly gathering rather than the word "universal" or even "invisible".)

Overall, helpful to spend some hours thinking about the essence of what makes a church.

UNFORTUNATELY..

No clues as to exactly why we've found ourselves in the structural and methodological Sydney Anglican world we are currently in, which I hoped this book may give some clues to. Things like:

- demographising our congregations
- extracating liturgy
- leeching transcendence
- teaching over preaching
- gospel pragmatism

FINAL QUESTIONS

To contend that the only earthly reality of church is when the act of gathering takes place (2 or 3 or more but generally understood to be our "services") creates a very "10:45-12 pm on Sunday morning" understanding of what constitutes church.

Likewise, to describe the heavenly assembly as "permanent" suggests a very "everlasting evening service" idea of heaven - what of the new heavens and new earth, to enjoy, explore, celebrate, commune in, ride your bike through, jump up waterfalls together in etc as a redeemed, consummated life of worship?

The emphasis on the gathering raises big questions of the nature of Christian community, of life-wide, shared discipleship. The lads avoid calling the gathering "worship" because all of life is worship, but I don't get that it needs to be either/or.

What of corporate identity beyond the local church in the earthly realm? This question isn't ignored, but it seems unanswered...My identification with the church in Hay, or The Philippines, or the UK has no particular biblical ecclesiastical category if I understand Kuhn right.

I should say I really enjoyed reading this. Surprisingly, perhaps, it got me in, got me wanting to see what they said and how their critics contend with that. It's very much in my heritage zone as a Sydney evangelical and the question of "What is "church"" is often bypassed by pragmatism and practices. Takes a certain bravery to try and pin it down. In that way - and I suspect many other ways - I get the sense DR and DBK were brave lads in the cause of Christ.

These thoughts are from a man whose highest qualification is a 3 year Diploma of Primary Teaching, most of which was spent playing guitar. I wouldn't go breaking a sweat, Dr Kuhn..!

[Mark Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am very thankful for this new work by Kuhn.
Although it is an academic work it is very readable and helpfully related to current and past issues. I found many of the ideas and issues raised relevant and engaging. I appreacited the constructive tone of the book and the fair treatment of opposing or differing views. The interplay with history, theology, practice and other views was of great help in situating the views of Robinson and Knox in their context and what they could mean today. I appreciated the fresh optimism for major change based on biblical conviction, in regard to local gatherings and denominational structures. There is much to be gleaned and applied from this appeal personally, locally and beyond.

[Vincent · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was more and less than I expected.

It was more in that it gave me an understanding of so many things I take for granted. Thinking of church as 'the gathering of Christians' rather than a denomination, thinking that there is both an earthly and heavenly reality to the gathering, thinking that denominations are servants and aids of the local church rather than 'the' church, and thinking that the church is about the horizontal element of one another rather than just the vertical. These were things I just assumed but the book showed that these views were popularised by Knox and Robinson's thinking of ecclesiology. It was an extremely helpful book in putting flesh to those ideas and seeing their origins (both the historical context that led towards the development and also the approach that Knox and Robinson took themselves).

However, it was also less than I expected. The book ultimately is a thesis given a cover. Its goal was as the titles says 'to exposit, analyse and evaluate' the views of Knox-Robinson. At times, I found myself pushing through to persevere through the arguments, given the technical nature of the discussion. The book doesn't really touch on implications in terms of practise, which I guess isn't really the aim of what it's trying to do.

Overall I think this is a really important book. It helps show the groundwork for so much of what we take for granted and also gives clarity to things we might forget. However, it can be a dense read and you'll have to do the hard work of working the next steps for what it might look like in practise.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an important book, that every minister in the Sydney Diocese should read. Kuhn unpacks the ecclesiologies of Robinson and Knox at great depth, demonstrating their complementary nature, and the significant contribution the "Robinson-Knox" model (as Kuhn calls it) still has to make to the conversation today. Was hoping for more theological evaluation, but still an incredibly helpful read.

[Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very clear analysis and evaluation of Robinson and Knox. The evaluation and final conclusion could have been more substantial (feeling more like statements rather than sustained arguments for or against), but overall a very satisfying introduction.

[Ben Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this hugely helpful in getting up to speed on these ideas.