9 - The Distinctives of the Caribbean Diasporan Church

Summary

As I have stated throughout this book, this study is an attempt to construct a theology for the Caribbean diasporan church. We are now at the stage where it becomes necessary to articulate the defining characteristics of this church. What distinguishes the Caribbean diasporan church from other churches? What are the essential marks that separate this church from other organizations? What are the visible hallmarks of this church? The theological doctrine of the church that I seek to construct acknowledges that a theological doctrine of the church requires that we identify its distinguishing features.

The issue of the marks of the church is not anything new to theological discourse. This practice has its precedence in the earliest development of Christian theology as delineated in the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds. The former acknowledges three marks – “one, holy, catholic church” and the latter acknowledges four marks of the church – “one, holy, catholic and apostolic” church. Writing of the meaning of these marks from a European Protestant perspective, Jürgen Moltmann notes that they are “statements of faith, hope and action.” Discussing the merits of these claims is beyond the scope of this book. I call attention, however, to the claim that these marks of the church are creedal statements of faith that reflect the development of the church in the Roman Empire. In this regard, it can be argued that these marks of the church reflect political concerns rather than the theological character of the church.