The Ontology of the Ordained Person: A Theological Evaluation

• Published in: Asia-Africa Journal of Mission and Ministry(AAMM) Vol. 8; pp. 117 - 130
• Main Authors: Robert Osei Bonsu, Samson Dawe Dakio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 삼육대학교 선교와사회문제연구소 30.08.2013
• Subjects: church; ministry; ontology; ordained person; Ordination
• ISSN: 2092-741X

Ordination is a significant concept in the history of the Christian Church. The urgency for denominations to formulate a theology of ordination shows that the issue has gone beyond scholarship and becomes a matter crucial to faith. In the absence of a biblical systematic theology of ordination, the quest to know what ordination confers to the ordained person remains problematic. It is in this context that should be understood the functional- ontological dilemma posed by the act of ordination. Through a theological survey, however, this study claims that ordination per se bestows nothing supernatural susceptible to change the ontological make-up of the recipient. Said differently, ordination is a human recognition of the calling of an individual through the laying on of hands that grants more prerogatives and thereby enables the beneficiary to function as an authorized representative of the Church.ABSTRACT-Ordination is a significant concept in the history of the Christian Church. The urgency for denominations to formulate a theology of ordination shows that the issue has gone beyond scholarship and becomes a matter crucial to faith. In the absence of a biblical systematic theology of ordination, the quest to know what ordination confers to the ordained person remains problematic. It is in this context that should be understood the functional- ontological dilemma posed by the act of ordination. Through a theological survey, however, this study claims that ordination per se bestows nothing supernatural susceptible to change the ontological make-up of the recipient. Said differently, ordination is a human recognition of the calling of an individual through the laying on of hands that grants more prerogatives and thereby enables the beneficiary to function as an authorized representative of the Church.